Therapeutic classification of

drugs
Objectives
• To classify drugs according to its therapeutic uses
 Introduction

Medications are classified in various ways

• By chemical properties
• Route/mode of administration
• Biological system affected
• Therapeutic effects
PNDF
It is an integral component of the Philippine National
Drug Policy, aimed at making available and accessible,
essential medicines of proven efficacy, safety and quality
at affordable cost.

• Categorized and classified the drug terms.

1. Medicines Acting on the Nervous System
A. ANESTHETICS
1. General Anesthetics
a. Inhalational agents
b. Intravenous agents
• Inhalation • Intravenous
1. Gas: Nitrous Oxide 1. Inducing agents
- Thiopentone
2. Volatile liquids: - Propofol
- Ether
2. Benzodiazepines (slow acting)
- Halothane
- Diazepam
- Enflurane - Lorazepam
- Isoflurane - Midazolam
- Desflurane 3. Dissociative anesthesia: Ketamine
- Sevoflurane
4. Neurolept analgesia: Fentanyl
 A. ANESTHETICS
2. Adjuvants and oxygen
a. Non-opioid analgesics -> do not alter perception Ex.
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Naproxen
b. Opioid analgesics ->psychoactive chemicals that
resembles morphine. Ex. Fentanyl, Codeine, Oxycodone
c. Neuromuscular blockers -> causing paralysis of the
affected skeletal muscle Ex. Atracurium, Cistracurium,
Pancuronium
d. Cholinesterase inhibitors -> enzyme that hydrolyzes
esters of choline, a neutrotransmitter
ex. Physostigmine, Neostigmine, Edrophonium
e. Anxiolytics -> antipanic Ex. Clonazepam, Lorazepam,
Diazepam
f. Anticholinergics -> inhibit activity of acetylcholine ex.
Atropine, Ipratropium, Tiotropium
g. Sympathomimetics -> mimics effects of transmitter
substances of SNS Ex. Epinephrine, Norepinephrine,
Dopamine
h. Beta adrenoceptor blockers-> inhibit hypertension ex.
Atenolol, metoprolol, Carvedilol
i. Oxygen
j. Local anesthetics Ex. Lidocaine, Prilocaine
B. ANTICONVULSANTS/ANTIEPILEPTICS ex. Valproic acid,
levetiracetam, Phenobarbital
C. ANTIMIGRAINE ex. Sumatriptan, Tolmitriptan, Methysergide
D. ANTIPARKINSONISM ex. Pramipexol, Bromocriptine, levodopa and
carvidopa
1. Dopaminergics
2. Anticholinergics
E. ANTIPYRETICS ex. Ibuprofen, Paracetamol
F. ANTIVERTIGO ex. Betahistine, Meclizine
G. MEDICINES FOR ADHD ex. Amphetamines, Methylphenidate
H. MEDICINES FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
1. Non-opioid analgesics
2. Opioid analgesics
3. Meds for neuropathic pain ex. Gabapentin, Pregabalin
I. MEDICINES TO REDUCE CEREBRAL EDEMA ex. Mannitol,
Dexamethasone
J. MEDICINES FOR DEMENTIA ex. Donepizil, Galantamine,
Memantine, Rivastigmine
K. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS
1. Antidepressants ex. Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Nortriptyline
2. Antipsychotics
a. Atypical antipsychotics-2nd gen ex. Clozapine, Questapine, Risperidone,
Olanzapine
b. Typical antipsychotics-1st gen ex. Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol,
Thiotrixene
3. Anxiolytics
4. Hypnotics: sleeping pills, induce sleep ex. Zolpidem, Alprazolam, Zaleplon
5. Mood stabilizers: bipolar disorder ex. Lithium, Carbamazepine,
Lamotrigine
2. MEDICINES ACTING ON THE
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND JOINTS
A. ANTIGOUT: deposits of crystals in synovial joint
1. For acute gout ex. Colchicine, indomethacin
2. For chronic gout ex. Allopurinol, probenecid
B. ANTI-OSTEOPOROSIS MEDICINES : low bone mass leading
to bone fragility and increased fracture risk
1. Anti-resorptive agents
a. Biphosphonates ex. Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronate
b. HRT-hormone replacement therapy ex. Estrogen and
progestin
c. SERM-Selective estrogen receptor modulation ex. Raloxifene
2. Vitamins & Minerals ex. Calcium carbonate
C. DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (DMARD’s): chronic
progressive inflammatory disorder of unknown cause, inflammation
leads to tissue proliferation “pannus formation”
ex. Methotrexate, Leflunamide, Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfasalazine
D. NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMATORY DRUGS (NSAID’s)
1. Non-selective COX inhibitor: common side effect is GI distress, peptic ulcer
ex. Aspirin, Ketoroloc, indomethacin, Naproxen, Meloxicam, Mefenamic acid
2. Selective COX inhibitors ex. Celecoxib, Etoricoxib, Parecoxib
E. SKELETAL MUSCLE RELAXANTS: relax smooth muscle
1. Spasmolytics ex. Dicyclomine, Pinaverium bromide, Otilunium bromide,
mebeverine
2. Neuromuscular blockers
a. Depolarizing agents
b. Non-depolarizing agents
3. ANTI-INFECTIVES

A. ANTIBACTERIALS
1. Aminoglycosides ex. Gentamicin, Amikacin, Streptomycin
2. Carbapenems ex. Meropenem, Imipenem
3. Cephalosporins
a. 1st gen ex. Cefazolin, Cefalexin
b. 2nd gen ex. Cefaclor, Cefuroxime
c. 3rd gen ex. Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime
d. 4th gen ex. Cefepime, Cefpirome
e. 5th gen ex. ceftaroline
5. Chloramphenicol
6. Glycopeptide ex. Vanexcomycin,
Bleomycin
7. Lincosamide ex. Lincomycin,
Clindamycin
8. Macrolides ex. Erythromycin,
Clarithromycin, Azithromycin
9. Nitroimidazole ex. Metronidazole
10.Penicillins ex. Ampicillin,
Amoxicillin, Piperacillin
11.Quinolones: ex. Ciprofloxacin,
Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin
a. 1st gen – non-fluorinated
b. 2nd and 3rd gen – fluorinated
12.Sulphonamides ex.
Sulfamethoxazole, Sulfanilamide
13.Tetracyclines ex. Doxycycline,
Minocycline
14. Anti H. pylori ex. Clarithromycin,
Amoxicillin, Metronidazole
15.Antileprosy ex. Dapsone
16.Urinary antiseptics ex.
Nitrofurantoin, Methenamine
17. Anti TB ex. Cycloserine,
Capreomycin, Streptomycin
B. ANTIFUNGALS ex. Amphotericin B, Nystatin,
Natamycin, Clotrimazole, Fuconazole
C. ANTIPARASITICS
1. Anthelmintics
a. Meds for common round worms ex. Albendazole, Mebendazole,
Ivermectin
b. Antifilarials ex. Diethylcarbamazine, Suramin, Ivermectin
c. Antischistosoma ex. Praziquantel, Suramin
2. Antiprotozoals
a. Amebicide ex. Metronidazole
b. Antimalarials ex. Mefloquine, Primaquine, Chloroquine
c. Antipneumocytosis (antixoplasmosis) ex. Dapsone,
Sulfamethoxazole+ Trimethroprim, Pyrimethamine
D. ANTIVIRALS
1. Antiherpes agents ex. Acyclovir, Famiclovir,
Valacyclovir
2. Anticytomegalovirus ex. Ganciclovir, Cidofovir,
Valganciclovir
3. Antiretrovirals
a. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) ex.
Zidovudine, Lamivudine, Abacavir
b. Non-NRTIs (NNRTIs) ex. Nevirapine, Efavirenz
c. Protease Inhibitors (Pis) ex. Saquinavir, Indinavir, Ritonavir
d. Anti-influenza A & B ex. Oseltamivir, Zanamivir
 4. IMMUNOLOGICALS

A. DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS
B. SERA AND IMMUNOGLOBULINS
C. VACCINES
 5. CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINES
A. CARDIOACTIVE AGENTS
1. Inotropic agents: agents that affects the contraction of the heart
muscle
a. Cardiac glycosides ex. Digitoxin, digoxin
b. Adrenergic agents ex. Phenylephrine, oxymetazoline
2. Antianginal agents; “angina”: Lack of oxygen and decreased or
no blood flow to the heart
a. Nitrates ex. Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate
b. Beta-adrenoceptor blockers ex. Atenolol, metoprolol, acebutolol
c. Calcium channel blockers ex. Nifedipine, Verapamil, Diltiazem
d. Fatty acid Oxidation (pFOX) inhibitor ex.Trimetazidine, Ranolazine
• Anti-hypertensives : High Blood Pressure
• 1. Diuretics ex. Furosemide, indapamide, hydrochlorothiazide
• 2. Vasodilators ex. Sodium nitroprusside, Nittoglycerine
• 3. Calcium Channel Blockers ex. Amlodipine, Felodipine, Verapamil, Diltiazem
• 4. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE-inhibitor) ex. “-pril” Captopril,
Enalapril,Ramipril (common side effect: dry cough)
• 5. Angiotensin-2 Receptor Blocker (ARBs) ex. “-sartan” Losartan, Irbesartan,
Valsartan
• 6. Anti-adrenergics
• a. Beta-blockers ex. “-olol”, metorpolol, pindolol, Bisoprolol
b. Centrally acting antihypertensives ex. Guanfacine, clonidine, methyldopa
• C. Medicines for Blood lipid Disorders : High level of cholesterol
1. Bile acid-binding resins: ex. Cholestyramine, Colestipol
2. Niacin/ Nicotinic acid
3. HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors ex. Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin
4. Fibrates ex. Clofibrate, Gemfribrozil, Fenofibrate
5. Ezetimibe
• D. Medicines for Shock
• 1. Anaphylactic shock ex. Epinephrine
• 2. Cardiogenic shock ex. Dopamine
• 3. Hypovolemic shock ex. Dobutamine
• 4. Septic shock ex. Norepinephrine
• E. Chronotropic agent ex. Atropine, Dopamine, Epinephrine
• Respiratory Medicines
• A.Anti-asthma ex. Salbutamol/Albuterol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol,
Montelukast
• B. Medicine for COPD ex. Salmeterol, Formoterol, Budesonide,
Tiotropium
• C. Antitussives ex. Dextrometorphan, Butamirate Citrate
• D. Respiratory Stimulant ex. Theophylline, Modafinil
• E. Surfactant ex. Calfactant, Beractant, Poractant
• . Anti-allergies
• A. H1- receptor antagonist
1. 1st generation: cause drowsiness/sedating ex. Brompheniramine,
chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, hydroxizine
2. 2nd generation: non-sedating. Ex. Loratadine, desloratadine
• b. Corticosteroids ex. Budesonide, Fluticasone, Mometasone
• AntineoplaStic and Immunosuppressive: use in cancer
• A. Anti-neoplastic ex. Methotrexate, Azathioprine, fluouracil
• B. Hormones and Antihormones in malignant disease
• Prostate cancer: Anastrazole
• Breast cancer: Exemestane, Leuproride, Letrozole
• C. Immunotherapeutics
• 1. Immunomodulators ex. Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab, Sirolimus
• 2. Immunosuppressives ex.Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine, Mycophenolate
• D. Radiopharmaceuticals ex. Chromic Phosphate P32: lung, ovarian, uterine cancer
• Sodium Iodide I31: Thyroid cancer, Samarium 159 for bone
tissue cancer
• E. Adjuncts to Antineoplastic Chemotherapy ex. Carboplatin
• 
• 
• Medicines affecting the Blood
• a. Hematinics: increase hemoglobin in blood. Ex. Folic acid, Vit. B12, Iron
• b. Hematopoietics Growth Factors: increase production of RBC ex. Erythropoetin
alfa
• c. Anti-coagulants: decrease risk of blood clots ex. Apixaban, Dabigatran,
Enoxaparin, Heparin
• d. Anti-platelets: stop blood cells (platelet) from sticking together and forming
blood clots ex. Aspirin, Clopidogrel
• e. Fibrinolytics : capable of stimulating dissolution of blood clot ex. Reteplase,
Alteplase, Streptokinase, Urokinase
• f. Antifibrinolytics : promote blood clotting by preventing blood clots from breaking
down ex. Tranexamic acid
• Gastrointestinal Medicines
• a. antiemetics / antivomiting ex. Metoclopramide, Ondasetron, Granisetron
• b. anti-motility: usually used in diarrhea ex. Loperamide, diphenoxylate, paregoric
• c. Anti-peptic ulcer med
• Peptic Ulcer disease
• 2. Anti-H. pylori: 3-drug regimen: Proton pump inh+
Clarithromycin+ Amoxicillin or Methronidazole
• 3. Cytoprotector : ex. Sucralfate, Misoprostol
• 4. H2 receptor antagonist: ex. Cimetidine, Famotidine, Ranitidine
• 5. Proton Pump Inhibitor ex. Pantoprazole,Omeprazole, Lansoprazole,
esomeprazole
• Hormones and Hormone Antagonists
A. anterior Pituitary Hormone ex. Growth hormone, Prolactin, Follicle
stimulatin hormone, Luteinizing hormone
• b. Posterior Pituitary Hormones ex. Vasopressin, Oxytocin
• c. Hypothalamic Hormones ex. Prolactin Releasing hormone, Growth hormone
releasing hormone
• d. Sex hormones ex. Estrogen, Androgen and Antagonists ex. Tamoxifen,
Clomiphene, Finasteride, Flutamide
• F. Thyroid hormones ex. T3 (triiodothyronine) T4 ( thyroxine) and Anti-thyroid
hormones ex. Levothyroxine, Propylthiouracil, Methimazole
•
Anti-Diabetic
• 1. Insulin
• Short-acting: Regular Insulin, Lispro, Aspart, Glulisine
• Intermediate-acting: NPH, Lente
• Long-acting- Glargine

2. Sulfonylureas- release insulin ex. Glibenclamide, Gliclazide, Glimepiride

3. Meglitinides- release insulin ex. Repaglinide, Nateglinide
4. Biguanides- decrease insulin resistance ex. Metformin
5. Thiazolidinediones- decrease insulin resistance ex. Rosiglitazone, Pioglitazone
6. Alpha glucosidase inhibitors- ex. Acarbose, Miglitol
• Medicines Acting in the Uterus
• a. Oxytocic: used to cause contraction of the uterus to start labor,
increase the speed of labor, to stop bleeding following delivery
• b. Tocolytics: used to delay delivery of pregnant women or
preterm labor ex. Terbutaline, Ketorolac, Nifedipine, Ketorolac
•