DRUGS

CLASSIFICATION
NORDIANNA BINTI SEMAN
LEARNING
OUTCOMES

State how is the drug being

classified
Explain what is the drug
classification

NRS422
 INTRODUCTION
Mechanism of action; specific biochemical reaction that

occurs

Physiologic effect; the specific way in which the body responds

to a drug

Chemical structure
THERAPEUTIC CHEMICAL
Used for similar effect
May not have similar
chemical make-up
i.e. antihypertensive, AMALGAMATED
antibiotics

PHARMACOLOGIC LEGAL
Similar Characteristics
Similar Chemical Make-up
i.e. Penicillin, Beta Blocker

NRS422
 THERAPEUTIC USEFULNESS IN
TREATING DISEASE/CONDITION
WHAT THE DRUG DOES CLINICALLY
THERAPEUTIC
CLASSIFICATION
PHARMACOLOGIC
CLASSIFICATION
Based on MOI; how the drug produces its
effect
At molecular, tissue, or body-system level
More specific than therapeutic
classification

Requires understanding of biochemistry

and physiology

May be described with varying degrees of

complexity
 PROTOTYPE
DRUGS
the first form of a drug or medication that is used to create
As of July 2020
alternative forms

well understood, known action and adverse effects Newer drugs in the same class may
used to compare other drugs in the same have replaced them
pharmacologic class more effective
May not be the most widely used drug in its class
more favorable safety profile
Disagreements may exist over which drug should
serve as prototype drug. longer duration of action
 CHEMICAL
CLASSIFICATION
Chemical, generic and trade name
Chemical name
standard nomenclature established by International Union of
Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
single chemical name; predict physical and chemical properties
complicated, difficult to be remembered and pronounce
i.e. Diazepam: 7-chloro-1, 3-dihydro-1-methyl-5- phenyl-2H-1, 4-
benzodiazepin-2-one
CHEMICAL
GROUP
sometimes classified by a portion
of their chemical structure
Cephalosporins,
phenothiazines,
benzodiazepines
 DRUGS NAME
TRADE NAME

GENERIC NAME
generic equivalent drug but using
a different name approved by the
FDA
Assigned by the U.S.
can be difficult; many drugs
Adopted Name Council
contain similar ingredients
Less complicated and
A combination drug contains
easier to remember
more than one active ingredient
Used by many
organizations; FDA, WHO active ingredients in a drug are
written in lower case described by their generic name,
i.e. diazepam which is lowercase.

NRS422
AMALGAMATED
CLASSIFICATION
Amalgamated; combination
combination of the principles of MOI, therapeutic and chemical
class; practical needs
i.e. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NRS422
LEGAL DRUG SCHEDULES
CLASSIFICATION Classified based on the
potential of abuse
Schedule I drugs have the
highest abuse potential,
Schedule V the lowest.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Restricted by the Controlled Substances Act
of 1970 TERATOGENIC RISK
Malaysia, DDA 1952
potential of causing defect
Frequently abused
on the unborn
High potential for addiction or dependence
Restricted use

NRS422
Placed into one of five schedules

DRUG SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE I
Restricted to situations of medical
necessity, if allowed at all
Little or no therapeutic value; mostly
used for research
i.e. Heroin, Lysergic acid
diethylamide (LSD), Methaqualone
SCHEDULE III
Moderate abuse potential
Moderate physical dependence
High potential for psychological
dependence
Therapeutic use with prescription
Anabolic steroids, Codeine with
aspirin or Tylenol, Hydrocodone with
aspirin or Tylenol, some barbiturates
SCHEDULE II
High abuse potential, high potential for physical and
psychological dependence
Therapeutic use with prescription
Need special order form, written & signed
Telephone orders to pharmacies & refills are not
permitted
i.e. Morphine, Phencyclidine (PCP), Cocaine,
Methadone, Methamphetamine
SCHEDULE IV
Lower abuse potential
Lower potential for physical and psychological
dependence
Therapeutic use with prescription
i.e. Dextropropoxyphene, Pentazocine, Meprobamate,
Diazepam, Alprazolam
COVID-19 | 2020
SCHEDULE V
Lowest abuse potential
Lowest physical and psychological dependence
Therapeutic use without prescription
i.e. OTC cough medicines with codeine
TERATOGENIC
CLASSIFICATION

NRS422
 OTHER
CLASSIFICATION OF
DRUGS

Allopathic drugs; non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC)

curing by administering the substance that produce the
opposite effect of the disease/condition when given to a
health individuals
i.e. salicylates, antiseptics, anti fungal, anti-acne, antacid, anti
gas, expectorants etc.
ANY
QUESTIONS?
RECAP

DRUG CLASSIFICATION

NRS422
 ASSIGNMENT

BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF
DRUG BASED ON THE
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
INSTRUCTION:
Work in pairs
Identify a class of drug based on its therapeutic classification
Select one drug example of each class
Prepare your work in the PPT slides and written assignment
Your scope of assignment should consist of:
Introduction,
Drug class,
Drug name (generic and trade name)
Mechanism of action
Indications
Contraindications
Route of administration
Dosage
Nursing implications
References
THANK
YOU