FDA pharmacologic classes
Drug classes
Browse FDA-listed products by pharmacologic class. Membership comes from the class terms on each product's FDA listing, not from keyword matching.
Cardiovascular
- Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)Drugs that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the liver.
- Beta blockersDrugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors. Listings include oral tablets, injectables and ophthalmic solutions.
- ACE inhibitorsDrugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, alone or combined with a diuretic or calcium channel blocker.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)Drugs that block the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, alone or in fixed-dose combinations.
- Calcium channel blockersDrugs that block L-type calcium channels in heart and blood-vessel muscle.
Endocrine & metabolism
- GLP-1 receptor agonistsDrugs that activate the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. The class includes injectable and oral products; tirzepatide is also listed here because it acts on both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
- SGLT2 inhibitorsOral drugs that block the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the kidney. Most are tablets billed by NDC.
- DPP-4 inhibitorsOral drugs that inhibit the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme, alone or in fixed combinations.
- Insulins and insulin analogsHuman insulin and modified insulin molecules (analogs), supplied in vials, cartridges and prefilled pens.
- BiguanidesThe biguanide class, which in current US listings is metformin alone or in fixed-dose combinations.
Oncology & immunology
- Monoclonal antibodiesProducts the FDA listing tags with the monoclonal-antibody chemical structure class, plus the PD-1, PD-L1 and CD20 antibody classes. Not every antibody product carries these tags, so treat this list as a starting point rather than a complete census.
- TNF blockersBiologics that block tumor necrosis factor, including adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept and their biosimilars.
- Kinase inhibitorsSmall-molecule drugs that inhibit one or more protein kinases. Most are oral products dispensed by pharmacies.
- Platinum-based chemotherapyCisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin products, supplied as injections for clinician administration.
Neurology & psychiatry
- SSRIs and SNRIsDrugs that inhibit reuptake of serotonin, or of serotonin and norepinephrine. Almost all are oral products billed by NDC.
- CNS stimulantsCentral nervous system stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate products. Many are DEA Schedule II.
- Anti-epileptic agentsDrugs in the FDA's anti-epileptic class, in oral and injectable forms.
- Atypical antipsychoticsSecond-generation antipsychotics, including oral products and long-acting injectables.
Pain & inflammation
- NSAIDsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter oral, topical and injectable products.
- Opioid agonistsDrugs that activate opioid receptors. Most are DEA-scheduled; the schedule is shown on each NDC record.
- CorticosteroidsCorticosteroid products in oral, injectable, inhaled, topical and ophthalmic forms.
Infectious disease
- CephalosporinsCephalosporin antibacterials in oral and injectable forms.
- PenicillinsPenicillin-class antibacterials, including combinations with beta-lactamase inhibitors.
- FluoroquinolonesFluoroquinolone antibacterials in oral, injectable, ophthalmic and otic forms.
- VaccinesProducts in the FDA's vaccine class. Vaccines are usually reported with a CPT vaccine product code plus an immunization administration code, not with a J-code.
Gastrointestinal
- Proton pump inhibitorsDrugs that inhibit the gastric proton pump, in prescription and over-the-counter forms.
- 5-HT3 receptor antagonistsDrugs that block the serotonin-3 receptor, such as ondansetron and granisetron, in oral and injectable forms.
- H2 receptor antagonistsDrugs that block the histamine-2 receptor, such as famotidine, in prescription and over-the-counter forms.
Hematology
- AnticoagulantsDrugs that reduce blood clotting, including factor Xa inhibitors, low-molecular-weight heparins and other anticoagulants.
- Leukocyte growth factorsBiologics that stimulate white blood cell production, such as filgrastim and pegfilgrastim and their biosimilars. Most are clinician-administered or dispensed injectables.
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agentsBiologics that stimulate red blood cell production, such as epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa.