Title: Explain how drugs are classified.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Understanding Pharmacology Basics

Explanation may include

- sources of drugs
  - natural
    - plant (e.g., aspirin derived from willow bark)
    - animal (e.g., insulin derived from the pancreas of pigs and cattle)
    - mineral (e.g., Epsom salts derived from magnesium sulfate)

  - chemical sources
    - synthetic—created in a laboratory
    - biotechnology (e.g., Humulin—a synthetic insulin)

- drug names
  - generic—the official name of the active ingredient used by all manufacturers; nonproprietary
  - trade—the brand or product name; proprietary; indicated by the symbol ®

- classification based on the body system affected by the drug
  - cardiovascular
  - respiratory
  - gastrointestinal
  - endocrine

- classification by the action of the drug in the body
  - anticoagulant
  - antihypertensive
  - antihyperlipidemic
  - antibiotic
  - anticonvulsant
  - hypnotic
  - antianxiety
  - antidepressant
  - antimanic
  - antipsychotic

- classification by the disease the drug is intended to treat
  - osteoporosis
  - pain
  - dementia

- dispensing classification
  - prescription drugs
  - over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

- legal classifications of drugs
  - Schedule I
    - high potential for abuse
    - no currently accepted medical use in the United States
    - examples include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (commonly known as ecstasy or molly), mescaline, and methaqualone

  - Schedule II
    - high potential for abuse
    - accepted medical use with restrictions
    - may lead to psychological or physical dependence
    - examples include amphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and hydrocodone

  - Schedule III
    - potential for abuse
    - accepted medical use
    - may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence
    - examples include anabolic steroids, buprenorphine, and ketamine

  - Schedule IV
    - low potential for abuse
    - accepted medical use
    - may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence
    - examples include benzodiazepines, modafinil, and tramadol

  - Schedule V
    - low potential for abuse
    - accepted medical use
    - may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence
    - examples include diphenoxylate, lacosamide, and pregabalin

- classes regulated by the Controlled Substances Act
  - narcotics
  - depressants
  - stimulants
  - hallucinogens
  - anabolic steroids.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the sources of drugs? What is an example of a drug derived from each source?
- What are the characteristics of chemical, generic, and brand names of specified drugs?
- How do religious beliefs influence medication selection and sources?
- What are the potential risks when combining certain pharmaceuticals and the consumption of or exposure to certain plants (e.g., fox glove, poinsettia)?