Drug mechanism classes

There are different ways to group or classify drugs. One way is by grouping drugs based on their therapeutic use or class such as antiarrhythmic or diuretic drugs. A second way to group drugs is my their dominant mechanism of action. Because many drugs have multiple mechanisms of action, it is sometimes difficult to agree on how to classify a particular drug. Nevertheless, the following list attempts to classify drugs based on their dominant mechanism of action, or by the mechanism that is the most therapeutically relevant. Clicking on the drug class will open a new window providing detailed information on that class and links to specific drugs.

Adenosine receptor agonists

Aldosterone-receptor antagonists

Alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (alpha-agonists)

Alpha-adrenoceptor blockers (alpha-blockers)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

Beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists)

Beta-adrenoceptor blockers (beta-blockers)

Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs)

Centrally-acting sympatholytics

Direct-acting vasodilators

Diuretics (loop, thiazide, potassium-sparing)

Endothelin receptor antagonists

Fibrinolytic

Ganglionic blockers

Muscarinic receptor antagonists

Na⁺-K⁺- ATPase pump inhibitors (cardiac glycosides)

Natriuretic peptides

Nitrodilators

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors

Potassium-channel blockers

Potassium-channel openers

Sodium-channel blockers

Sodium-channel blocker (late sodium currents)

Sympathomimetics

Vasopressin analogs

DISCLAIMER: These materials are for educational purposes only, and are not a source of medical decision-making advice.