Drug toxicity is the poisonous and dangerous effects of some drugs. Example: Idiosyncrasy.
* Idiosyncrasy: An unexpected effect produced in a particularly sensitive individual but not seen in most patients.
Side effects: A toxic effect that routinely results from the use of a drug and are generally tolerable. Example: nausea, vomitting are common side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs.
Contraindications: Factors in the patient's condition that prevent the use of a particular drug or treatment. Example: renal failure, it is unwise to administer a drug that is normally eliminated by the kidneys.
CLASSES OF DRUGS:
1. Antibiotics: An antibiotic is the chemical substance produced by the microorganism, that has ability to inhibit or kill foreign organisms in the body.
Examples:
*Antifungals (Eg: ketoconazole)
*Antivirals (Eg: acyclovir )
*Antimalarials (Eg: chloroquine)
*Antituberculars (Eg: isoniazid)
*Cephalosporins (Eg: cefaclor)
*Erythromycins and Like Drugs (Eg: azithramycin)
*Penicillins ( Eg: amoxicillin)
*Tetracyclines (Eg: tetracycline)
*Sulfonamides (Eg: sulfasalazine)
2. Anticoagulants: Drug that prevents blood clotting.
Example: heparin.
3. Anticonvulsants: Drug that prevents convulasions.
Example : phenobarbital.
4. Antidepressants: Drug used to relieve symptoms of depression.
Example: fluoxetine.
5. Antidiabetics : Drug used to prevent diabetes mellitus.
Example : insulins(Humulin)
6. Antihistamines : Drug use to prevent symptoms of allergy.
Example : chlorpheniramine maleate
7. Antianginal : Drug that relieves angina.
Example : nitroglycerin
8. Antiarrhythmics : Drug that helps restore heart rhythm to a regular cycle.
Example : procainamide
9. Antihypertensive : Agents that lowers blood pressure.
Example : beta- blockers*
10. Antiandrogens :Any substance capable of preventing full expression of the biologic effects of androgenic hormones on responsive tissues.
Example :flutamide
11. Antiestrogen : Any substance capable of preventing full expression of the biological effects of estrogenic hormones on responsive tissues.
Example : tamoxifen
12. Antidiarrheal: Drug used to prevent diarrhea.
Example : paregoric
13. Antacid : Drug that neutralizes acid in the stomach.
Example : magnesium antacid
14. Antinauseant : Agent that relieves nausea.
Example : meclizine
15. Antiulcer : Drug that inhibits the secretion of acid by cells of the lining of the stomach.
Example : ranitidine
