Drug Mechanism Classes

There are different ways to group or classify drugs. One way is by grouping drugs based on their therapeutic use or class, such as antiarrhythmic or diuretic drugs. A second way to group drugs is by their dominant mechanism of action. Because many drugs have multiple mechanisms of action, it is sometimes difficult to agree on how to classify a particular drug. The following list attempts to classify drugs based on their dominant mechanism of action, or by the mechanism that is the most therapeutically relevant for cardiovascular disease. Clicking on the drug class will open a new window providing detailed information on that class and links to specific drugs.

• Adenosine receptor agonists
• Aldosterone-receptor antagonists (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists)
• Alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (alpha-agonists)
• Alpha-adrenoceptor blockers (alpha-blockers)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists)
• Beta-adrenoceptor blockers (beta-blockers)
• Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs)
• Centrally-acting sympatholytics
• Direct-acting vasodilators
• Diuretics (loop, thiazide, potassium-sparing)
• Endothelin receptor antagonists
• Fibrinolytic (thrombolytic)
• Funny current blockers
• Ganglionic blockers
• Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
• Muscarinic receptor antagonists
• Na⁺-K⁺- ATPase pump inhibitors (cardiac glycosides)
• Neprilysin inhibitors
• Nitrodilators
• Phosphodiesterase inhibitors
• Potassium-channel blockers
• Potassium-channel openers
• Renin inhibitors
• Sodium-channel blockers
• Sodium-channel blocker (late sodium currents)
• Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors
• Sympathomimetics
• Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
• Vasopressin analogs

Revised 12/01/2023