Classification of Drugs

Classification of Drugs

• Pharmacological classification: based on their mechanism of action or therapeutic use
  • Examples: antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics
• Chemical classification: based on their chemical structure
  • Examples: opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates
• Legal classification: based on their legal status and potential for abuse
  • Examples: Schedule I (high potential for abuse, no medical use), Schedule II (high potential for abuse, some medical use)

Types of Drugs

• Stimulants: increase alertness and energy, often used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy
  • Examples: amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamine
• Depressants: slow down brain activity, often used to treat anxiety and insomnia
  • Examples: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids
• Hallucinogens: alter perception, thought, and mood
  • Examples: LSD, psilocybin, peyote
• Opioids: relieve pain, often used to treat moderate to severe pain
  • Examples: morphine, codeine, fentanyl
• Cannabis: used to treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain and nausea

Drug Action

• Agonists: bind to receptors, mimicking the action of a natural neurotransmitter
• Antagonists: bind to receptors, blocking the action of a natural neurotransmitter
• Inverse agonists: bind to receptors, producing an opposite response to a natural neurotransmitter

Drug Addiction

• Physical dependence: body adapts to the presence of the drug, leading to withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped
• Psychological dependence: emotional dependence on the drug, leading to compulsive use despite negative consequences
• Tolerance: increased dose required to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal: symptoms experienced when use is stopped or reduced

Classification of Drugs

• Pharmacological classification is based on a drug's mechanism of action or therapeutic use
• Examples of pharmacological classification include antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics
• Chemical classification is based on a drug's chemical structure
• Examples of chemical classification include opioids, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates
• Legal classification is based on a drug's legal status and potential for abuse
• Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no medical use
• Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and some medical use

Types of Drugs

• Stimulants increase alertness and energy, and are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy
• Examples of stimulants include amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamine
• Depressants slow down brain activity, and are used to treat anxiety and insomnia
• Examples of depressants include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and opioids
• Hallucinogens alter perception, thought, and mood
• Examples of hallucinogens include LSD, psilocybin, and peyote
• Opioids relieve pain, and are used to treat moderate to severe pain
• Examples of opioids include morphine, codeine, and fentanyl
• Cannabis is used to treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain and nausea

Drug Action

• Agonists bind to receptors, mimicking the action of a natural neurotransmitter
• Antagonists bind to receptors, blocking the action of a natural neurotransmitter
• Inverse agonists bind to receptors, producing an opposite response to a natural neurotransmitter

Drug Addiction

• Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the presence of a drug, leading to withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped
• Psychological dependence is an emotional dependence on a drug, leading to compulsive use despite negative consequences
• Tolerance develops when an increased dose of a drug is required to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms occur when drug use is stopped or reduced