Medication Classifications

antihypertensives

lower blood pressure

antianginals

treat chest pain

antibiotics

treat bacterial infections

anticoagulants/antiplatelets

prevent blood clotting aka "blood thinners"

anticonvulsants

prevent or treat seizures

antidepressants

treat depression

antidiarrheals

relieve diarrhea

antiemetics

prevent or treat nausea and vomiting (N/V)

antipyretics

reduce fever

antitussives

treat cough

bone resorption inhibitors

prevent and treat bone density loss

bronchodilators

relieve bronchoconstriction/open airways

anti-inflammatory

reduce inflammation

decongestants

reduce nasal congestion

hormones

regulate body functions

hypothyroid agents

reduce thyroid hormone excess to treat hyperthyroid

laxatives

promote bowel movements/treat constipation

antilipemics

reduce cholesterol levels in the blood

analgesics

relieve pain (can be opioid or non-opioid)

sedatives/hypnotics

promote sleep and relaxation

vascular headache suppressants

ease migraine and cluster headaches

anti-Alzheimer's agents

treat dementia associated with Alzheimer's

antianxieties/anxiolytic

treat anxiety and PTSD

antiarrhythmics

treat irregular heart rhythms

antifungals

treat fungal infections, such as candidiasis (yeast)

antihistamines

treat symptoms of allergies - itching, rhinitis, sneezing

antineoplastics

treat cancerous tumors, used for treatment of some autoimmune disorders

antipsychotics

treat schizophrenia and other psychoses

antiretrovirals

suppress retroviruses like HIV

Antirheumatics

treat rheumatoid arthritis/slows joint destruction

antiulcer agents

treat/prevent stomach ulcers, used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

antivirals

treat viral infections such as influenza and herpes

immunosuppressants

suppress the immune response to prevent organ rejection after transplantation or slow the progression of autoimmune disease