Drug Classification and Naming Quiz

Which classification of drugs focuses on the action they take in the body?

What is a primary benefit of using non-proprietary (generic) names in prescribing?

Which of the following is an example of a therapeutic use classification for drugs?

Why is consistency an important reason for using proprietary names in prescribing?

Which of the following drug classes can be identified by their common non-proprietary name ending in '-olol'?

What is a disadvantage of using proprietary names for drugs?

What characteristic is associated with drugs that have a low therapeutic index?

Which option best describes the purpose of non-proprietary names in relation to economy?

Drug Classification

Drugs can be classified by therapeutic use (e.g., antimicrobial, antidiabetic, analgesic), mode of action (e.g., receptor blocker, enzyme inhibitor), site of action (e.g., loop diuretic, cell wall inhibitor), or molecular structure (e.g., glycoside, alkaloid, steroid).

Non-Proprietary Names

Non-proprietary names (generic names) are used to specify drug classes.
Drug names ending with specific suffixes can indicate the drug class.
"-azepam" - benzodiazepines
"-olol" - β-adrenoceptor blockers
"-pril" - ACE inhibitors
"-floxacin" - quinolone antibacterials
Using generic names can increase clarity, reduce costs, and help with pharmacist stock availability.

Proprietary Names

Proprietary names (brand names) are used for consistency in product quality and bioavailability, especially important for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., digoxin, warfarin).
They are necessary for complex formulations (sustained-release).
Proprietary names are used for mixtures of drugs that would be difficult to write out the individual components.
International travelers with chronic conditions will benefit from using international non-proprietary names (INN) as proprietary names vary by country.

Test your knowledge on drug classification based on therapeutic use, mode of action, and molecular structure. This quiz also covers the differences between non-proprietary and proprietary drug names, including insights on naming conventions and their importance in pharmacology.