Antifungal drugs selectively destroy fungal cells by altering cell walls. The cells' contents leak out and the cells die. Antifungal drugs can cure, or may only suppress, a fungal infection. C. Cardiovascular Drugs Print section Cardiovascular drugs affect the heart and blood vessels and are divided into categories according to function. Antihypertensive drugs reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and reducing the amount of blood pumped by the heart into the vascular system.
Antiarrhythmic drugs normalize irregular heartbeats and prevent cardiac malfunction and arrest.
D. Drugs that Affect the Blood Print section Antianemic drugs, such as certain vitamins or iron, enhance the formation of red blood cells. Anticoagulants like heparin reduce blood-clot formation and ensure free blood flow through major organs in the body. Thrombolytic drugs dissolve blood clots, which can block blood vessels and deprive the heart or brain of blood and oxygen, possibly leading to heart attack or stroke. For instance, antiepileptic drugs reduce the activity of overexcited brain areas and reduce or eliminate seizures. Antipsychotic drugs are used to regulate certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters , which do not function properly in people with psychoses, major mental disorders often characterized by extreme behaviors and hallucinations , such as in schizophrenia .