NAPLEX Flashcards: Drug Names And Therapeutic Classes

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Drug Names And Therapeutic Classes, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for NAPLEX.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What therapeutic class does metoprolol belong to?

Answer: Beta-1 selective beta blocker. Selectively antagonizes beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, reducing heart rate and contractility for cardiovascular conditions.

Flashcard 2: What therapeutic class does sertraline belong to?

Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Inhibits serotonin reuptake in synaptic clefts, increasing availability for mood regulation in depression and anxiety disorders.

Flashcard 3: What therapeutic class does furosemide belong to?

Answer: Loop diuretic. Potently inhibits Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter in the loop of Henle, leading to significant diuresis for edema and heart failure.

Flashcard 4: What therapeutic class does dabigatran belong to?

Answer: Direct thrombin inhibitor (DOAC). Directly inhibits thrombin (factor IIa), blocking fibrinogen conversion to fibrin for anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation.

Flashcard 5: What therapeutic class does warfarin belong to?

Answer: Vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant. Inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X) synthesis in the liver, requiring INR monitoring for anticoagulation.

Flashcard 6: What therapeutic class does hydrochlorothiazide belong to?

Answer: Thiazide diuretic. Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule, promoting diuresis and used primarily for hypertension and edema.

Flashcard 7: What therapeutic class does metformin belong to?

Answer: Biguanide antihyperglycemic. Decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes without causing hypoglycemia.

Flashcard 8: What therapeutic class does omeprazole belong to?

Answer: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Irreversibly inhibits H+/K+ ATPase in parietal cells, suppressing gastric acid secretion for ulcer treatment and GERD.

Flashcard 9: What therapeutic class does clopidogrel belong to?

Answer: P2Y12 inhibitor antiplatelet. Irreversibly inhibits P2Y12 ADP receptors on platelets, preventing aggregation and used for thrombotic event prevention.

Flashcard 10: What therapeutic class does spironolactone belong to?

Answer: Aldosterone antagonist (potassium-sparing diuretic). Antagonizes mineralocorticoid receptors, promoting sodium excretion while sparing potassium in heart failure and hypertension.

Flashcard 11: What therapeutic class does semaglutide belong to?

Answer: GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mimics incretin hormone effects, enhancing insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, and promoting weight loss in diabetes.

Flashcard 12: What therapeutic class does famotidine belong to?

Answer: Histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA). Competitively blocks histamine at H2 receptors on parietal cells, reducing basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion.

Flashcard 13: What therapeutic class does fluticasone (inhaled) belong to?

Answer: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Suppresses airway inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cell migration in asthma management.

Flashcard 14: What therapeutic class does levothyroxine belong to?

Answer: Thyroid hormone (T4) replacement. Synthetic form of thyroxine that restores euthyroid state by converting to T3 and regulating metabolism in hypothyroidism.

Flashcard 15: What therapeutic class does atorvastatin belong to?

Answer: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). Inhibits the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, reducing LDL levels and cardiovascular risk.

Flashcard 16: What therapeutic class does apixaban belong to?

Answer: Direct factor Xa inhibitor (DOAC). Directly inhibits factor Xa, preventing thrombin generation and clot formation without needing routine monitoring.

Flashcard 17: What therapeutic class does lisinopril belong to?

Answer: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Inhibits the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release for hypertension management.

Flashcard 18: What therapeutic class does nitroglycerin belong to?

Answer: Nitrate antianginal (vasodilator). Releases nitric oxide, causing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation to relieve angina by reducing cardiac preload.

Flashcard 19: What therapeutic class does aspirin belong to when used for antiplatelet effect?

Answer: Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor antiplatelet (salicylate NSAID). Acetylates and irreversibly inhibits platelet COX-1, reducing thromboxane A2 and preventing aggregation at low doses.

Flashcard 20: What therapeutic class does amlodipine belong to?

Answer: Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Blocks L-type calcium channels primarily in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and blood pressure reduction.

Flashcard 21: What therapeutic class does losartan belong to?

Answer: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Selectively blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion without affecting bradykinin.

Flashcard 22: What therapeutic class does insulin glargine belong to?

Answer: Long-acting basal insulin. Provides steady insulin release mimicking endogenous basal secretion, used for glycemic control in diabetes with low hypoglycemia risk.

Flashcard 23: What therapeutic class does ezetimibe belong to?

Answer: Cholesterol absorption inhibitor. Selectively inhibits cholesterol absorption at the small intestine brush border, lowering LDL without affecting triglycerides much.

Flashcard 24: What therapeutic class does albuterol belong to?

Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA). Activates beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, causing rapid bronchodilation for acute asthma relief.

Flashcard 25: What therapeutic class does empagliflozin belong to?

Answer: SGLT2 inhibitor. Inhibits sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in kidneys, promoting glucosuria and improving glycemic control with cardiovascular benefits.