Although there are many drugs on the market, available by prescription or as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, all drugs are classified into one of a variety of categories. Millions of OTC and prescription medicines are sold each year around the world to help people with a variety of conditions.
Pain Killers
One of the oldest quests of medical researchers is the search for medicines that reduce or eliminate pain. Pain may be the biggest medical complaint in history. Pain killers are divided into three basic groups: narcotic analgesics, non-narcotic analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Narcotic analgesics, available by prescription only, tend to be the most effective relievers of pain, but they also can lead to addiction with continued use. These types of drugs include morphine, oxycodone, codeine and hydrocodone. Non-narcotic analgesics such as acetaminophen are sold OTC and by prescription. They also may be combined with narcotics to increase their effectiveness, Drugs.com reports. Both of these kinds of drugs work directly upon the central nervous system to alleviate pain. NSAIDs work differently, specifically to reduce inflammation that causes pain, such as with arthritis. NSAIDs include OTC drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, and prescription medicines such as celecoxib and indomethacin.
Antihypertensives
The Mayo Clinic reports that most people will develop some form of high blood pressure as they grow older. To fight this, there are many medications known as antihypertensives available by prescription. These include diuretics or water pills--such as chlorothiazide and furosemide--that reduce the fluid in the person's body. Other antihypertensives include calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, felodipine), beta-blockers (acebutolol, cervedilol) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (lisinopril and ramipril).
Cholesterol Medicines
Cholesterol is a natural substance found in the human body that can become a problem if two parts of it--triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)--are present in high levels. This can be caused by certain types of food. High levels of LDLs may be treated with drugs called statins such as atorvastatin and lovastatin, as well as with bile-acid-binding resins such as colestipol and colesevelam, cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as exetimibe and combinations of drugs. High triglycerides may be treated with fibrates including fenofibrate and gemfibrozil, niacin and combination drugs.
Acid Reflux Drugs
Acid reflux is a condition in which the esophageal sphincter does not close properly, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus. Basic OTC medications include chewable antacids such as calcium carbonate, liquid antacids such as combinations of aluminum and magnesium and bismuth subsalicylate combinations. Other types of medications do not act as quickly for immediate relief, but do cause the stomach to produce less acid. These drugs, available in pill form, include ranitidine, cimetidine, lansoprazole and omeprazole.
