Types of drugs (according to their use and side effects)

What are the different drugs that exist and what are they for? We explain it to you.

Medicine is one of the sciences that has had the greatest impact on humanity. Thanks to it, the average life expectancy of men and women has lengthened. The ability to study and understand many of the disorders, infections and diseases that have affected us throughout history has made it possible to find ways to achieve better health. Among them is the use of drugs.

Drugs are a chemical compound that is made up of one or more active ingredients (which perform the action within the organism) and excipients (elements that are there to facilitate the administration of the active ingredient). Nowadays, there is an extensive catalog of different types of drugs, a whole industry is behind them. And their usefulness has become very common, which has forced campaigns for a rational use of drugs.

Types of drugs according to their use

There are various criteria for classifying drugs, such as the ATC code (Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical) used by the WHO or other simpler ones, such as those based on their pharmaceutical form (solid, liquid...), according to the route of administration (oral, rectal,...) or according to their indications. The latter may be the simplest to start differentiating types of drugs, because it focuses on their use without going into much more detail.

Even so, the list of the list of medicines is very extensiveTherefore, the best option is to focus on the most commonly used drugs to simplify the classification.

1. Analgesics

In this group of types of drugs are all drugs that are intended to relieve physical pain, whether it is headache, joint pain or any other type of pain.whether it is headache, joint pain or any other type of pain. Their catalog can be divided into two large families: opioids and non-opioids.

The former have a more potent action, are not allowed in self-medication and can generate dependence (such as morphine); while the latter are the opposite, and include both Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin or paracetamol. Among the general side effects of NSAIDs are that they favor the development of ulcers, can cause renal complications and increase blood pressure.

2. Antacids and anti-ulcer drugs

Two distinct groups of drug types, but which share similar functions: decreasing gastric secretions.. By reducing acidity, ulcers are prevented. A well-known example is Omeprazole.

In these drugs, the most important side effects are intestinal transit disorders (diarrhea or constipation).

3. Anti-allergic drugs

This category includes drugs intended to combat the negative effects of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity. or hypersensitivity.

The most popular are the drugs of the antihistamine family, whose mechanism of action influences histamine, which plays an important role in allergies. Their adverse reactions are minimal, but may cause diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue or headaches.

4. Antidiarrheals and laxatives

Antidiarrheals are types of drugs that are intended to relieve and stop the effects of diarrhea.. The most commonly used at present are drugs that inhibit the motility of the intestine, which favors retention to achieve greater consistency and volume in the stool. Adverse reactions to these drugs are minimal, although some have been reported, such as abdominal pain or constipation.

On the other hand, laxatives are prescribed for the opposite case, in other words, to solve constipation problems by increasing intestinal movement or by lubrication. Their use should be moderate and as a support, because a prolonged treatment makes the intestine not work properly, decreasing its ability to absorb nutrients.

5. Anti-infectives

This type of medication is prescribed to treat infections.. Depending on the infectious agent, they are classified into Antibiotics (against bacteria), antifungals (against fungi), antivirals (against viruses) and antiparasitics (against parasites).

Self-medication is not recommended, so a prescription is always required. The major side effect, especially in the case of antibiotics, is that they exert an artificial selection on infectious agents.

For example, in the case of bacteria, within the same type of bacteria, there may be strains that resist the effect of a particular antibiotic. When using that antibiotic in an abusive way, all the bacteria die except those that present resistance, so that in the end it will cease to have any effect.

6. Anti-inflammatories

As the name itself indicates are drugs whose purpose is to reduce the effects of inflammation.. The most commonly prescribed are those classified as NSAIDs, which in addition to reducing inflammation, have analgesic effects.

7. Antipyretics

Antipyretic drugs are a type of medication that has the ability to reduce fever.. Among the best known are aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol, which also have other functions.

Generally speaking, as the first two are NSAIDs, they can cause problems in the digestive system, unlike paracetamol.

8. Antitussives and mucolytics

These are drugs that are prescribed to try to reduce non-productive cough, i.e. cough that does not release the cough.that is to say, that does not release mucus. Care should be taken with their dosage, since some of them, such as codeine, are addictive.

As for mucolytics, these are drugs that are recommended when mucus makes it difficult to breathe properly. mucus makes it difficult to breathe properly. Their side effects are minor, such as headaches or allergic reactions.