Prototype drug

 ( Pharmacodynamics ) 

In pharmacology and pharmaceutics, a prototype drug is an individual drug that represents a drug class – group of medications having similar chemical structures, mechanism of action and mode of action. Prototypes are the most important, and typically the first developed drugs within the class, and are used as a reference to which all other drugs are compared.

• Morphine is the prototype of
• Propranolol is the prototype of the
• Chlorpromazine is the prototypical phenothiazine antipsychotic
  T. Watanabe (1991). 9780849364259, Taylor & Francis. . ISBN 9780849364259
• Imipramine is the prototypical tricyclic antidepressant, and itself a derivative of chlorpromazine
• Diazepam is the prototype of the benzodiazepine
  Ronald J. Tallarida (1982). 9781489967480, Springer New York. ISBN 9781489967480
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the prototype ethanolamine antihistamine
  D.A. Williams (2025). 9780683307375, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. . ISBN 9780683307375
• Nifedipine is the prototype dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
• Chloroquine is the prototypical antimalarial agent
• Acyclovir is the prototype antiviral agent that is activated by viral thymidine kinase
• Aspirin is the prototype NSAID
• Amphetamine is the prototype Stimulant
  (2025). 9780729539296, Elsevier Australia. . ISBN 9780729539296
• Omeprazole is the prototype Proton-pump inhibitor
  (2025). 9780729539296, Elsevier Australia. . ISBN 9780729539296