Drug classes (a.k.a. drug classifications) are groups of medicines that share similarities in chemical structure, mechanism of action, and/or treat the same medical conditions. Even though drugs in the same class have a lot in common, each drug has its own “flavor,” with differences in side effects, available dosages and more. So, even if you are prescribed one drug and it doesn’t work for you, one of its drug class-mates might! Read on for more about our drug classes and offering.
PDE5 Inhibitors are drugs that increase blood flow throughout the body by preventing the enzyme, PDE5, from working. These drugs are meant to help manage medical conditions like erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Currently, we offer:
To learn more about PDE5 Inhibitors, check out this guide.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant drug. They work by balancing chemicals in the brain, particularly the chemical serotonin. These are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressants due to the lack of notable side effects. We offer:
To learn more about SSRIs, check out this guide.
Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a type of antidepressant drug. While less commonly prescribed than SSRIs, SNRIs work in a similar way – by balancing both serotonin and another chemical, norepinephrine, in the brain. We offer:
Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRIs) are another type of antidepressant medication. NDRIs work by balancing norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They are a newer class of drug, and sometimes have been reported to have less sexual side effects than other types of antidepressants. We offer:
Beta blockers are a class of drugs that help to slow heart rate, which can help lower blood pressure. They are also used to increase blood flow through the widening of veins. Beta blockers are generally prescribed to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, migraines, or tremors; they can also be prescribed to treat performance anxiety. We offer:
To learn more, check out this guide to beta blockers,.
Local anesthetics are a type of drug that can numb a small part of the body. This type of numbing agent is often used when teeth are pulled or when a small wound is stitched together. They also can be used to treat premature ejaculation. We offer:
Antivirals are a class of drugs that fight off viruses that are harmful to the body by blocking the active virus from entering healthy cells. They also can reduce the risk or spread of viruses that cause medical conditions such as HIV or herpes. We offer:
To learn more about antivirals, check out this guide to valacyclovir and other antiviral medications.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are a drug class used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). They work by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which decreases the amount of DHT (a hormone that contributes to prostate growth and male pattern baldness) in the body. We offer:
Vasodilators are a type of drug that open up blood vessels to improve blood flow. They are used to treat health conditions such as high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, or certain heart conditions. They can also be used to treat hair loss. We offer:
Retinoids are a class of drugs that are used to treat acne, reduce fine wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture and pigmentation by increasing cell turnover rate. They can be administered topically or orally.
To learn more, check out this guide to tretinoin, a type of retinoid.
Dicarboxylic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that may help reduce acne, redness and swelling in the skin. These acids reduce the production of keratin — a protein that can contribute to acne.
Antibiotics are a class of drugs used to fight off bacterial infections. These medicines reduce and kill bacteria by limiting growth and multiplication. Antibiotics can be administered orally, topically, or even through an IV.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.