How Common Medications Work

It's important to understand how common medications work. This helps doctors know how to properly classify and prescribe these drugs. Below, we explain how some popular types of medications function.

1. Pain Relievers

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):

  • How They Work: NSAIDs stop certain enzymes from making chemicals in the body called prostaglandins. These chemicals cause pain and inflammation.
  • Did You Know?: About 30 million adults in the U.S. use NSAIDs every year.

• Opioids:

  • How They Work: Opioids attach to special receptors in the brain and other parts of the body. This helps to reduce the feeling of pain.
  • Did You Know?: In 2020, more than 12 million people misused prescription opioids in the U.S.

2. Antibiotics

• Beta-lactams (like Penicillins and Cephalosporins):

  • How They Work: These antibiotics stop bacteria from building their protective walls, which can lead to their destruction.
  • Did You Know?: In 2020, beta-lactams made up about 60% of all antibiotics given to patients.

• Macrolides (like Erythromycin and Azithromycin):

  • How They Work: Macrolides prevent bacteria from making proteins by attaching to a part of their ribosomes.
  • Did You Know?: Over 50 million prescriptions for macrolides were filled in the U.S. in 2019.

3. Blood Pressure Medications

• ACE Inhibitors (like Lisinopril):

  • How They Work: ACE inhibitors block a specific enzyme that helps make a hormone that causes blood vessels to tighten. This helps widen the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
  • Did You Know?: About 30% of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and ACE inhibitors are given to around 13 million of them each year.

• Beta-Blockers (like Metoprolol):

  • How They Work: Beta-blockers stop certain signals in the body that cause the heart to beat faster. This helps to lower blood pressure.
  • Did You Know?: More than 100 million prescriptions for beta-blockers are written each year in the U.S.

4. Antidepressants

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

  • How They Work: SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps improve mood, by blocking its return to the brain cells.
  • Did You Know?: SSRIs make up nearly 60% of all antidepressant prescriptions in the U.S., with over 40 million filled each year.

• Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):

  • How They Work: TCAs prevent the brain from taking back two important chemicals, norepinephrine and serotonin, helping to increase their levels.
  • Did You Know?: Though not as popular today, TCAs still make up about 5% of antidepressant prescriptions.

5. Diabetes Medications

• Metformin:

  • How They Work: Metformin helps to lower sugar production in the liver and improves the body’s use of insulin.
  • Did You Know?: It is often the first medication given for type 2 diabetes, with about 20 million people using it in the U.S.

• Sulfonylureas:

  • How They Work: These drugs help the pancreas release more insulin by closing certain channels in the cells.
  • Did You Know?: About 8 million prescriptions for sulfonylureas are filled every year in the U.S.

In summary, knowing how different medications work is key for healthcare providers. This helps them make good choices in prescriptions and ensure that patients get the best care suited for their needs.