Pharmacological classification of drugs MCQs With Answer

Introduction

Pharmacological classification of drugs organizes medicines by mechanism of action, therapeutic use, chemical structure, site of action and pharmacokinetic properties. For B.Pharm students, understanding classification helps link pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, receptor selectivity, adverse effects and clinical applications. Key keywords include pharmacological classification, mechanism of action, therapeutic class, chemical class, receptor agonist/antagonist, enzyme inhibitors, and drug selectivity. A deeper grasp of classification clarifies why drugs within a class share effects, side‑effect profiles and dosing principles, and aids rational substitution and development. This set of MCQs emphasizes conceptual links, examples and classification rationale to strengthen exam preparation and clinical reasoning. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a common basis for pharmacological classification of drugs?

• Mechanism of action
• Chemical structure
• Therapeutic use
• Cost of manufacturing

Correct Answer: Cost of manufacturing

Q2. Grouping drugs as agonists, competitive antagonists or irreversible antagonists is an example of classification by:

• Therapeutic indication
• Route of administration
• Mechanism of action
• Physical state

Correct Answer: Mechanism of action

Q3. Classifying antibiotics into beta-lactams, macrolides and tetracyclines primarily reflects which basis?

• Chemical structure
• Adverse effect profile
• Brand name
• Dosage form

Correct Answer: Chemical structure

Q4. Drugs grouped as “central nervous system (CNS) depressants” are classified mainly by:

• Route of elimination
• Site of action
• Production method
• Manufacturing company

Correct Answer: Site of action

Q5. Classification that distinguishes full agonists, partial agonists and inverse agonists focuses on:

• Toxicology
• Receptor efficacy and intrinsic activity
• Cost-effectiveness
• Legal scheduling

Correct Answer: Receptor efficacy and intrinsic activity

Q6. Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers such as prazosin are best described under which pharmacological class?

• Beta-adrenergic agonists
• Adrenergic receptor antagonists
• Cholinesterase inhibitors
• Calcium channel activators

Correct Answer: Adrenergic receptor antagonists

Q7. A drug classified as an ACE inhibitor is categorized primarily by its:

• Chemical name only
• Mechanism: inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme
• Route of administration
• Color and shape

Correct Answer: Mechanism: inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme

Q8. Which classification emphasizes differences between enantiomers of chiral drugs (e.g., S- and R- forms)?

• Therapeutic classification
• Stereoisomeric/structural classification
• Dosage frequency classification
• Cost-based classification

Correct Answer: Stereoisomeric/structural classification

Q9. Drugs like omeprazole and lansoprazole are grouped as proton pump inhibitors based on:

• Mechanism of action (H+/K+ ATPase inhibition)
• Primary adverse effect
• Physical appearance
• Manufacturer

Correct Answer: Mechanism of action (H+/K+ ATPase inhibition)

Q10. Which is an example of classification by therapeutic use?

• Antihypertensives
• Beta-lactam ring
• Stereoisomers
• Prodrug status

Correct Answer: Antihypertensives

Q11. Classifying drugs as enzyme inhibitors, substrate mimetics, or false substrates relates to which classification approach?

• Chemical formula only
• Mechanistic classification
• Packaging classification
• OTC vs prescription

Correct Answer: Mechanistic classification

Q12. Which of the following best describes a prodrug in classification terms?

• A drug active in its administered form
• A drug requiring metabolic activation
• A drug classified by taste
• A drug with no pharmacological effect

Correct Answer: A drug requiring metabolic activation

Q13. Which classification differentiates drugs by whether they are small molecules or biologics (monoclonal antibodies, peptides)?

• Pharmaceutical company classification
• Molecular/biologic class
• Tablet color classification
• Packaging size classification

Correct Answer: Molecular/biologic class

Q14. Drugs that block voltage-gated sodium channels (e.g., lidocaine) are grouped by:

• Mechanism: ion channel blockade
• Therapeutic category only
• Cost per dose
• Water solubility

Correct Answer: Mechanism: ion channel blockade

Q15. Which class of drugs is primarily defined by receptor subtype selectivity (e.g., beta-1 vs beta-2)?

• Nonselective antibiotics
• Adrenergic receptor modulators
• Antacids
• Bulk laxatives

Correct Answer: Adrenergic receptor modulators

Q16. Which classification highlights drugs grouped by their legal control status (e.g., Schedule I–V)?

• Toxicology classification
• Regulatory/legal classification
• Chemical structure classification
• Manufacturing location classification

Correct Answer: Regulatory/legal classification

Q17. Which of the following is a pharmacodynamic classification example?

• Loop diuretics
• Drugs that increase GABAergic neurotransmission
• Extended-release tablets
• Enteric-coated capsules

Correct Answer: Drugs that increase GABAergic neurotransmission

Q18. How are antihistamines classified when grouped into first‑generation and second‑generation types?

• By chemical structure without functional difference
• By pharmacokinetic properties and CNS penetration
• By price alone
• By tablet size

Correct Answer: By pharmacokinetic properties and CNS penetration

Q19. Which classification would place warfarin, heparin and direct oral anticoagulants together?

• Therapeutic class: anticoagulants
• Chemical class: benzodiazepines
• Route class: topical agents
• Dietary supplements

Correct Answer: Therapeutic class: anticoagulants

Q20. Which classification is most useful to predict common side effects shared by drugs in the same group?

• Therapeutic and mechanistic classification
• Color and shape classification
• Manufacturer classification
• Shipping method classification

Correct Answer: Therapeutic and mechanistic classification

Q21. Classification that separates drugs into receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and GPCR modulators is based on:

• Molecular target/mechanism
• Commercial brand
• Dosage intervals
• Tablet coating type

Correct Answer: Molecular target/mechanism

Q22. Which classification would you use to compare onset and duration among formulations like immediate-release and extended-release?

• Pharmaceutical formulation classification
• Chemical backbone classification
• Receptor binding classification
• Therapeutic interchange classification

Correct Answer: Pharmaceutical formulation classification

Q23. In pain management, opioids are grouped by their interaction with which receptor family?

• Opioid receptors (mu, delta, kappa)
• Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
• HMG-CoA reductase
• Angiotensin receptors

Correct Answer: Opioid receptors (mu, delta, kappa)

Q24. Which classification criterion differentiates drugs that are cleared hepatically from those cleared renally?

• Pharmacokinetic classification
• Chemical class only
• Tablet color
• Marketing category

Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetic classification

Q25. Which classification groups drugs by adverse effect risk, e.g., QT prolongation potential?

• Safety/toxicity classification
• Prescription pad color classification
• Physical stability classification
• Manufacturing batch classification

Correct Answer: Safety/toxicity classification

Q26. Classification that identifies drugs as competitive versus noncompetitive antagonists helps predict:

• Reversibility and effect on dose-response curves
• Tablet dissolution time only
• Price fluctuations
• Storage temperature

Correct Answer: Reversibility and effect on dose-response curves

Q27. Which classification is particularly important when selecting antibiotics to avoid cross-allergenicity?

• Chemical/class structure classification (e.g., beta-lactams)
• Therapeutic indication classification only
• Pill color classification
• Capsule size classification

Correct Answer: Chemical/class structure classification (e.g., beta-lactams)

Q28. Which of the following pairs correctly matches a drug class and its primary mechanism?

• SSRIs — inhibition of serotonin reuptake
• Statins — beta-adrenergic blockade
• Loop diuretics — ACE inhibition
• Benzodiazepines — inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Correct Answer: SSRIs — inhibition of serotonin reuptake

Q29. Classifying drugs as narrow-spectrum versus broad-spectrum is most relevant for which drug group?

• Antimicrobials (antibiotics/antivirals)
• Antacids
• Topical emollients
• Vitamin supplements

Correct Answer: Antimicrobials (antibiotics/antivirals)

Q30. Why is understanding multiple classification systems (mechanism, therapeutic, chemical) important for a pharmacist?

• To predict drug interactions, adverse effects and guide therapeutic substitution
• To set the retail price
• To determine pill color
• To choose packaging materials

Correct Answer: To predict drug interactions, adverse effects and guide therapeutic substitution

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com