Drugs are classified according to their action

Form of drugs :

1. Liquid  : a. Oils  b. Mixtures

2. Solids a.  Tablets b.  Pills  c. Capsules

3. Gases eg.  Oxygen,  anesthetic gases.

Drugs are classified according to their action:

1 Analgesic : Drugs which cause loss of sensation. Eg Aspirin   

2 Anaesthetics : Drugs which cause loss of sensation or insensibility to patient eg. Ethen  

3 Antipyretics : Drugs which reduce fever ef. Crocin.      

4 Antihelmintics : Drugs which destroy and expell worms eg. Mebendazole.    

5 Antidotes : Substances  used  to  counteract  the effect of poison. eg large quantity of diluted  alkali  is  given  to  neutralize acid poisoning.    

6 Antacids : A substance which counteracts acidity or neutralizes acid eg Gelusil.  

7 Antiemetics : Drugs that prevent or relieve nausea and /or vomiting.     

8 Antihistamines : Drugs used in the  treatment   of allergic conditions.       

9 Anticoagulant : Drugs used to prevent or inhibit coagulation of blood    

10 Coagulant : Drugs used to hasten blood coagulation ( clotting).  

11 Carminatives : Drugs which cause expulsion of gas.

12 Cathartics : Drugs which cause intestinal evacuation.  They are subdivided as. 1a.  laxatives b. purgatives  

13 Diuretics : Drugs which increase the secretion of urine. Eg.  lasix.  

14 Emetics : Drugs which produce vomiting    

15 Hypnotics : Drug which produce sleep  

16 Mydriates : Drugs  which  dilate  pupil of the  eye eg. Atrophine   

17 Myotics : Drugs which contract the pupils.  

18 Expectorants : Drugs  which  increase  the  bronchial secretion  and  help  in  expulsion  of mucus.  

19 Sedatives : Drugs which exerts a smoothening or tranquilizing effect.  They may be general or local. eg. Opium.  

20 Stimulants : Drugs which increases the functional activity of an organ eg. Amphetamine stimulates central nervous system.

21 Narcotics : Drugs which produce   sleep and relieve pain eg. Injection morphine.