DRUG CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS (p.1) l. Drug Names a. chemical name e.g. 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one b. generic/nonproprietary name e.g. diazepam note: if prescribing physician has written “may be substituted”, pharmacist may then substitute another generic equivalent for a brand name drug; Managed care, Medicare, etc. usually insist on generics (less expense) note: many insurance plans have a “formulary” (list of drugs – usually generics – which they will approve for use with their patients) from which the doctor must choose…even it is not his/her 1st choice… chemical equivalence vs. biological equivalence vs. clinical equivalence c. trade/brand/proprietary name e.g. Valium e.g. Medavil, Advil, Nuprin & Motrin are all using the generic ibprofin (d. “street”/slang name) 2. Drug Classification Systems a. via neurotransmitter systems affected e.g. all drugs that are serotonin agonists/antagonists (see The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology by Cooper, et al) b. via clinical effects sedative-hypnotics anxiolytics anticonvulsants stimulants antidepressants analgesics antipsychotics hallucinogens/psychedelics mood stabilizersDRUG CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS (p.2) 2. Drug Classification Systems (cont.) c. CNS “stimulants” vs. CNS “depressants” “uppers” vs. “downers” d. via chemical structure e. by availability OTC vs. Rx vs. illicit f. by how obtained “natural” (herbal) drugs vs. synthesized drugs 3. Scheduled Drugs Schedule I-IV I – very prone to abuse, no medicinal value II – very prone to abuse, but some medicinal value III – mod. abuse, but medicinal value IV – little/no abuse potential, and medicinal