pharmacology notes

General Anesthetics: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

General anesthetics are drugs that produce a reversible loss of consciousness and reduce awareness of the surgical environment. They are used during surgical procedures and selected medical interventions under appropriate monitoring. For pharmacy students, general anesthetics are an important topic in pharmacology. Understanding their classification, mechanisms of action, pharmacological effects, and adverse effects is useful … Read more

Antiepileptic Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also called antiseizure medications (ASMs), are medicines used to prevent or reduce seizures in people with epilepsy and certain other conditions. They work through different mechanisms, including blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, modifying calcium channels, enhancing GABA-mediated inhibition, and reducing excitatory neurotransmission. This topic is important for B.Pharm, D.Pharm, GPAT, and pharmacist recruitment … Read more

Antipsychotic Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Antipsychotic drugs are medicines primarily used to manage psychosis, including symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking. They are also used in selected patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other conditions, depending on the medicine and clinical indication. For B.Pharm, D.Pharm, GPAT, and pharmacist recruitment examinations, antipsychotic drugs are an important topic in pharmacology. … Read more

Antidepressant Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Antidepressant drugs are medicines primarily used to treat depression and several other mental health conditions. They act on neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly serotonin and noradrenaline, to help relieve symptoms and improve daily functioning. Certain antidepressants are also used for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and some types of chronic or neuropathic pain. For … Read more

Sedatives & Hypnotics: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Sedatives and hypnotics are drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS). They are used in selected clinical situations to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, induce sleep, or produce sedation during medical procedures. Sedatives generally reduce anxiety and excitement, whereas hypnotics help initiate or maintain sleep. However, many drugs can produce both effects depending on the … Read more

Anticancer Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Anticancer drugs are medicines used to treat cancer by destroying cancer cells, stopping their growth, or interfering with the processes that allow them to multiply and spread.  Anticancer drugs include traditional chemotherapy agents, hormonal medicines, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Each group acts differently, and the choice of treatment depends on the type of cancer, its … Read more

Antimalarial Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Antimalarial drugs are medicines used to treat malaria and, in selected circumstances, prevent infection. Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted mainly through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Antimalarial drugs are an important topic in pharmacology for B.Pharm, D.Pharm, GPAT, Drug Inspector and pharmacist recruitment examinations. Understanding their … Read more

Antitubercular Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Antitubercular drugs are medicines used to treat tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These medicines are an important topic in pharmacology for B.Pharm, D.Pharm, GPAT, and pharmacist recruitment examinations. Understanding the classification, mechanism of action, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects of antitubercular drugs helps students prepare for examinations and build a … Read more

Antidiabetic Drugs: Classification, Mechanism, Uses & Side Effects

by

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production, impaired insulin action, or both. The main types are: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Treatment … Read more

Top 30 MCQs on Antihistamines with Answers & Explanation

by

Introduction Antihistamines are an important topic in pharmacology and are frequently studied by B.Pharm, D.Pharm, GPAT, and pharmacist recruitment exam candidates. These drugs are primarily used to manage allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, a runny nose, and urticaria. Most antihistamines discussed in allergy treatment act on histamine H1 receptors. They are broadly classified into … Read more