Classification of Drugs

Classification of Drugs

• Psychoactive drugs: affect the brain and central nervous system, altering mood, perception, and behavior
• Stimulants: increase alertness and energy, examples: cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine
• Depressants: slow down brain function, examples: alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates
• Hallucinogens: alter perception and thought, examples: LSD, psilocybin, DMT
• Opioids: relieve pain, examples: morphine, heroin, fentanyl
• Cannabis: affects mood and perception, can be used medicinally or recreationally

Drug Use and Abuse

• Drug dependence: physical or psychological need for a drug
• Drug addiction: compulsive drug use despite negative consequences
• Drug tolerance: need for increased doses to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal: symptoms that occur when drug use is stopped or reduced

Drug Effects on the Body

• Short-term effects: immediate effects of drug use, such as intoxication, euphoria, or altered perception
• Long-term effects: chronic effects of drug use, such as organ damage, addiction, or mental health problems
• Drug interactions: effects of combining multiple drugs, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening

Drug Policy and Laws

• Legal drugs: available with a prescription or over-the-counter, examples: medications, alcohol, tobacco
• Illegal drugs: prohibited by law, examples: cocaine, heroin, marijuana (in some countries)
• Drug trafficking: illegal trade and distribution of drugs
• Drug education and prevention: programs aimed at preventing drug use and promoting healthy behaviors

Classification of Drugs

• Psychoactive drugs affect the brain and central nervous system, altering mood, perception, and behavior
• Stimulants increase alertness and energy, with examples being cocaine, amphetamines, and caffeine
• Depressants slow down brain function, with examples being alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates
• Hallucinogens alter perception and thought, with examples being LSD, psilocybin, and DMT
• Opioids relieve pain, with examples being morphine, heroin, and fentanyl
• Cannabis affects mood and perception, and can be used medicinally or recreationally

Drug Use and Abuse

• Drug dependence is a physical or psychological need for a drug
• Drug addiction is compulsive drug use despite negative consequences
• Drug tolerance is the need for increased doses to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms occur when drug use is stopped or reduced

Drug Effects on the Body

• Short-term effects of drug use include immediate effects such as intoxication, euphoria, or altered perception
• Long-term effects of drug use include chronic effects such as organ damage, addiction, or mental health problems
• Drug interactions occur when multiple drugs are combined, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening

Drug Policy and Laws

• Legal drugs are available with a prescription or over-the-counter, including medications, alcohol, and tobacco
• Illegal drugs are prohibited by law, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana (in some countries)
• Drug trafficking is the illegal trade and distribution of drugs
• Drug education and prevention programs aim to prevent drug use and promote healthy behaviors

Pharmaceutical Nomenclature

Brand Name Vs Generic Name

• A brand name is given by the manufacturer, is unique, and often trademarked
• Examples of brand names include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Viagra (sildenafil)
• A generic name is assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council and identifies the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
• Examples of generic names include acetaminophen and sildenafil

Trade Name

• A trade name is another term for brand name
• Examples of trade names include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Viagra (sildenafil)
• Note: Trade name can also refer to a generic name used in a specific region or country

Chemical Name

• A chemical name, also known as a systematic name, describes the chemical structure of the API
• Chemical names follow the rules of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
• Examples of chemical names include N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide (acetaminophen) and 5-[2-ethoxy-5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)sulfonyl]phenyl]-1-propyl-3-n-propyl-1,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one (sildenafil)
• Chemical names are often complex and not commonly used in clinical practice