The following are the major classes of drugs:

1. Analgesics:

An analgesic is a drug that relieves pain. Mild analgesics are used for mild-to-moderate pain, such as those caused by headaches and toothaches.

Types of analgesics

Narcotic analgesics: These analgesics may produce dependence (habit formation) and induce stupor (condition of near unconsciousness with reduced mental and physical activity). Example: Acetaminophen (tylenol) and morphine

Non-narcotic analgesics: Some non-narcotic analgesics reduce fever, pain, and inflammation and are used in rheumatic (joint) disorders. Example: ibuprofen, naproxen

2. Antibiotics

An antibiotic is a chemical substance produced by a microorganism (bacterium, yeast, or mold) that inhibits or stops the growth of bacteria, fungi, or parasites and thereby helps to fight disease in the body. Antibiotics control diseases like pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and mastoiditis. With indiscriminate use of antibiotics, pathogenic organisms can develop resistance to the antibiotics and thus destroy the antibiotic's disease-fighting capability.

Antifungals

amphotericin (Fungizone)

ketoconazole (Nizoral)

fluconazole (Diflucan)

Antimalarials

chloroquine (Aralen)

pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

Antituberculars

isoniazid (INH)

rifampin (Rifadin)

Penicillins

amoxicillin (Amoxil)

ampicillin (Omnipen)

penicillin V potassium (Pen-Vee-K)

Sulfonamides (Sulfa drugs)

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)

sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin)