Therapeutic classification of drugs with examples

THERAPEUTIC DRUG CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS WITH EXAMPLES INTRODUCTION

Definition of Drugs

A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism’s physiology or psychology when consumed (wakpdia.org/drugs).

Classification of drugs

Drugs can be classified in different ways but for the purpose of this study, we will concentrate on the therapeutic classification. Subsequently, other classification methods will be discussed.

What is therapeutic classification of drugs?

This is the classification of drugs based on the physiological changes (body function and mechanism) induced by the drugs when consumed, without putting into consideration how the drugs achieves this or how the drugs act on the molecular level as it is in pharmacological classification. 

Therapeutically, drugs have 21 major classes and 139 subclasses. In this study, 12 major and most commonly used classes will be considered, with examples for each, for better and easier understanding.

• Anticoagulant Drugs: These are simply drugs that prevent blood clotting. Examples include: Rivaroxaban ( xarelto), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Apixaban (Eliquis), Endoxaban (Laxiana), etc.
• Antihyperlipidemic Drugs: These are drugs that lower or reduce lipid (cholesterol level) in the blood. Examples include: Astorvastin (Lipitor), Flavastin (Lescal), Lovastin (Mevacor), Pitavastatin (Livalo), Simvastin (Zocor), etc.
• Antihypertensive Drugs: These drugs are used to treat High Blood Pressure ( Hypertension). Examples include
• Under 55years - ACE Inhibitor or Antiotensin-2 Receptor Blocker (ARB) is administered. Examples include Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Catoten), etc. 
• Above 55years - Calcium Channel Blocker is administered. Examples include: Amlodipine (Norvac), Nafedifine(Procardia), Felodipine Isradipine, etc.
• Antidysrhythmics/Antiarrhythmics Drugs: These drugs treat an abnormal heartbeat. Examples include: Amodarone (Cardarone, Pacerone, etc), Flecainide (Tambocor), Lidocaine (Xyclocaine), IV Propafenone (Rythmol), etc.
• Antidepressants Drugs: These drugs relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Examples include: Vilazodone (Viibryd), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), etc.
• Antipsychotics Drugs: These drugs treat psychosis. Examples include: Haldot (Haloperidol), Thorazine (Chlorapromazine), etc.
• Anticonvulsants Drugs: These drugs are used to treat epileptic seizures, neuropathic pain and bipolar disorder, among others. Examples include: Sodium Valproate, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetan, Lamotrigine, etc.
• Antinauseants Drugs: These drugs are used to treat Nausea/vomiting. Examples include: Phenergan (Promethazine), Zofran (Ondansetron), Transdermiscop (Scopolamine), etc.
• Decongestants: Decongestants or nasal decongestants are drugs used to treat nasal congestion or upper respiratory tract infection. Examples include: Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine, etc.
• Hallucinogens drugs: These are drugs that alter a person’s perception of reality (psychedelic Drugs). Examples include: LSD, Psilocybin, Peyote, DMT, Ayahuasca, etc.
• Sedative Drugs: These drugs are used to slow down brain activities. It is used to make a person feel relaxed. Examples include: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Gamma-hydroxybutyrates, and sleep induced drugs like Zolpidem (Ambian) and Escopidone (Innesta).
• Stimulants Drugs: These drugs speed up message travelling between brain and body, and makes a person feel awake. Examples include: Amphetamines, betel nut, caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, etc.

CONCLUSION

Drugs have been classified in various ways. In this study, only therapeutic classification was discussed and in the next series, other drugs classification method will be studied.

REFERENCES

1. https://en.m.Wikipedia.org/drugs;- definition of drugs and classification
2. https://youtu.be/FPLzzuwZyMo;- drugs classification by Dr Dave
3. Essential Drugs Classification, undergraduate text book; chapter3, by professor M.D.Hanti 2001
4. National library of medicine ; a classification of drugs based on therapeutic effect August 1996.