CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

Reporter: Rabia Ali Sher & Anila Sanam

1 Supervisor: Mam Saima
OUTLINE
 What is Drug?
Classification of drugs based on
 Chemical nature

 Source

 Target organ / Site of action

 Mode of Action

 Physical effects

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WHAT IS DRUG?

 A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in

an organism's physiology or psychology when
consumed. 
 A pharmaceutical drug, also called a medication or
medicine, is a chemical substance used to treat, cure,
prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-
being.

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THE DRUGS CAN BE CLASSIFIED ON THE BASIS OF

Chemical
nature
Physical
effects
Source

Mode of Target organ /

Action Site of action
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BASED ON CHEMICAL NATURE
Chemical Nature

Inorganic drugs
Metals and their salts: Ferrous Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate
Non-Metals: Includes Sulphur

Organic Drugs
Alkaloids: Atropine, Morphine
Glycosides: Digitoxin, Digoxin
Protein: Insulin, Oxytocin

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CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SOURCE

Source

Plants:
Natural Source
Morphine, Synthetic source
Atropine,
Digitoxin
Animals:
E.g.
Insulin
Sulphonamides
Microorganis
m: Penicillin
Mineral:
Sodium 6
chloride
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON TARGET
ORGAN:
 acting on CNS: Phenobarbitone
 acting on Respiratory system: Bromhexine

 acting on Cardio-vascular System: Digitoxin, Digoxin

 acting on Urinary system: Magnesium Sulphate

 acting on reproductive system: Oxytocin, Estrogen

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CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MODE OF
ACTION:
Inhibitor of bacterial cell wall
synthesis: Penicillin

Inhibitor of bacterial synthesis:

Tetracycline

Calcium channel blocker:

Verapamil, Nifedipine
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CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PHYSICAL
EFFECTS:
 Depressants
 Stimulants

 Hallucinogens

 Inhalants

 analgesics

 Antibiotics

 Emollients

 Caustics

 Demulcents

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DEPRESSANTS

 More commonly referred to as “downers,” Depressants

create feelings of relaxation and tiredness. While many
serve legitimate purposes in the fight against mental
illness and sleep deprivation, they are very commonly
abused because they may also create feelings of
euphoria. Depressants are some of the most highly
addictive drugs. Examples of Depressants include
 Alcohol

 Opiates (A narcotic drug that contains opium)

 Barbiturates (Sleep inducing organic compound)

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STIMULANTS

 Also known as “uppers,” the primary use of Stimulants

 is to increase energy, concentration, and wakefulness. In
the short term, Stimulants are believed to increase
productivity and performance. In the long term,
Stimulants are incredibly addictive and have a very high
potential for abuse. Examples of Stimulants include:
 Adderall

 Cocaine

 Methamphetmine

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HALLUCINOGENS

 Hallucinogens alter the user’s perception of reality.

Often this results in auditory and visual hallucinations, a
process known as “tripping.” Although Hallucinogens
are generally less addictive than other drug
classifications, their immediate impacts are generally
more severe and dangerous. Examples of Hallucinogens
include:
 LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)

 Psilocybin Mushrooms

 PCP( phencycladine, illegal street drug that comes as

white powder)
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INHALANTS

 Inhalants are a vast range of chemicals that are ingested

primarily by breathing them in, or huffing. Most
inhalants are commonly used materials that are in no
way designed to be ingested by humans. Inhalants are
less studied than most other drugs. While they tend to be
less addictive than many other substances. Examples of
commonly abused Inhalants include:
 Paint thinner

 Nail polish remover

 Gasoline

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ANALGESICS
 Analgesics, also called painkillers, are medications that
relieve different types of pain — from headaches to
injuries to arthritis. Two major groups as follows
 Anti-inflammatory analgesics reduce inflammation, e.g.
Acetaminophen ,Aspirin
 Opioid analgesics change the way the brain perceives
pain, e.g. Methadone,Naloxone or naltrexone,
Oxycodone.
 Some analgesics can be bought over the counter, others
require a prescription.
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ANTIBIOTICS
 Antibiotics are medications that treat certain infections
by destroying or slowing down the growth of bacteria.
 Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections

 The two main groups

1.A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin,

Metronidazole, cephalosporins, kills the bacteria. These
drugs usually interfere with either the formation of the
bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.
2.A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.e.g
tetracyclines, macrolides, Azithromycin
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EMOLLIENTS
 substances that soften and moisturize the skin and
decrease itching and flaking
 Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or
scaly skin conditions.
 It comes in various forms like lotions, sprays, creams,
ointments
 e.g. Lanolin, Vaseline

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CAUSTICS
 Caustics are usually hydroxides of light metals. Sodium
hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are the most widely
used caustic agents in industry. Medically, they have
been used externally to remove diseased or dead tissues
and destroy warts and small tumors.

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DEMULCENTS
  An agent that forms a soothing, protective film when
administered onto a mucous membrane surface. For
example, mucilage and oils are demulcents that can
relieve irritation of the bowel lining.
 Zinc oxide, Tannic Acid are also demulcents

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