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A drug class is a group of medications and other compounds that share similar chemical structures, act through the same mechanism of action (i.e., binding to the same biological target), have similar modes of action, and/or are used to treat similar diseases.
A medication (also called medicament, medicine, pharmaceutical drug, medicinal drug or simply drug) is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Drug therapy ( pharmacotherapy ) is an important part of the medical field and relies on the science of pharmacology for continual advancement and on pharmacy for ...
Pharmacology can also focus on specific systems comprising the body. Divisions related to bodily systems study the effects of drugs in different systems of the body. These include neuropharmacology, in the central and peripheral nervous systems; immunopharmacology in the immune system.
It is debatable whether, as a class, typical or atypical antipsychotics are more effective. [24] Both have equal drop-out and symptom relapse rates when typicals are used at low to moderate dosages. [25] While quetiapine has lower rates of extrapyramidal side effects, there is greater sleepiness and rates of dry mouth. [23]
Alfuzosin, sold under the brand name Uroxatral among others, is a medication of the α 1 blocker class. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). [1]As an antagonist of the α 1-adrenergic receptor, it works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making urination easier.
Side effects can differ within the drug class due to differences in metabolism and pharmacology. For example, long-acting benzodiazepines have problems of drug accumulation especially in the elderly or those with liver disease, and shorter-acting benzodiazepines have a higher risk of more severe withdrawal symptoms.
SNRIs are delivered orally, usually in the form of capsules or tablets. It is recommended to take SNRIs in the morning with breakfast, which does not affect drug levels, but may help with certain side effects. [48] Norepinephrine has activating effects in the body and therefore can cause insomnia in some patients if taken at bedtime. [49]
Both newer and older drugs are generally equally effective in new onset epilepsy. [42] The newer drugs tend to have fewer side effects. [42] For newly diagnosed partial or mixed seizures, there is evidence for using gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine or topiramate as monotherapy. [42]