drug names and classes

8/19/2019 Drug Names and Classes

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Drug names and classes

A drug can have several names. There is usually a genericname for a drug substance

plus one or more brand names. You can search for drugs by either their generic or brand

names on PubMed Health.

Generic names for drugs are chosen by a variety of official bodies. That means that thesenames sometimes vary from country to country. For example, the generic name for one

common pain medication is acetaminophen in the !A. Ho"ever in many countries the

same drug is called paracetamol.

#rug manufacturers choose the brand names of their products. There can be many

brands of a particular drug. A brand name is also sometimes called a $proprietary% name.

The brand names are usually easier to say and easier to remember. They may be better

&no"n than the generic name. Acetaminophen is often called by one of its commonly used

brands in the !A' Tylenol.

Drug classes

A drug also belongs to one or more drug classes. A drug class is a group of drugs that

have something in common. They are similar in some "ay, but they are not identical.

#rugs can be in a class "ith other drugs because'

• The drugs are related by their chemical structure.

Example: Aspirin is a salicylate. (ts full chemical name is $acetylsalicylic acid% or A!A. A

salicylate is a chemical found in plants, for example, in "illo" tree bar& and the

meado"s"eet plant.

• The drugs "or& in the same "ay.

Example: Aspirin can prevent the formation of blood clots by stopping molecules in the

blood called platelets from clumping or aggregating. !o it belongs to a drug class called

anti)platelets or platelet aggregation inhibitors.

• The drugs are used for the same purpose.

Example: Aspirin is used to reduce fever. #rugs that treat fever are called anti)pyretic

drugs or anti)pyretics.


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Drug Classifications

Drugs are classified according to their common effects and actions on the mind and body. Click on the following

links for more information.

Depressants

Hallucinogens

Opiates

Stimulants

Depressants

Depressants slow normal brain function. Because of this effect, depressants are often used to treat anxiety and

sleep disorders.

Although the different depressant drugs work uniquely in the brain, it is through their effect on GABA activity that

produces a drowsy or calming effect. GABA works to decrease brain activity.

Despite their prescription for treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders, depressants also carry high addictive

potential. The withdrawal effects from long-term depressant use can be life-threatening and produce some of theworst consequences of any other drug classifications.Keep in mind: this includes alcohol.

Examples include:alcohol, Valium, Xanax, Librium, and barbiturates.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are drugs which cause altered perception and feeling. Hallucinogens have powerful mind-altering

effects and can change how the brain perceives time, everyday reality, and the surrounding environment. They

affect regions of the brain that are responsible for coordination, thought processes, hearing, and sight. They can

cause people to hear voices, see things, and feel sensations that do not exist.

Hallucinogens change the way the brain works by changing the way nerve cells communicate with one

another. Click here for more information about how the brain is impacted by hallucinogen use.

Hallucinogens possess a moderate potential for addiction with very high potential for tolerance, moderate level of

psychological dependence, and low potential for physical dependence. Most of the risks associated with

hallucinogen use are associated with the risk for personal injury and life-threatening accidents.

Examples include:LSD, PCP, MDMA (Ecstasy),marijuana, mescaline, and psilocybin.

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Opiates

Opiates are powerful painkillers. They are made from opium, a white liquid in the poppy plant. Opiates produce a

quick, intense feeling of pleasure followed by a sense of well-being and calm.

Long-term opiate use changes the way the brain works by changing the way nerve cells communicate with one

another. If opiates are taken away from opiate-dependent brain cells, many of them will become overactive.

Eventually, cells will work normally again if the person recovers, but they cause wide range of withdrawal symptoms

that affect the mind and the body.

As with many other drugs, opiates possess very high addictive potential.

Examples include:heroin, morphine, codeine, and Oxycontin.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of drugs that elevate mood, increase feelings of well-being, and increase energy and

alertness. Stimulants can cause the heart to beat faster and will also cause blood pressure and breathing to

elevate. Repeated use of stimulants can result in paranoia and hostility.

Stimulants change the way the brain works by changing the way nerve cells communicate with one another.Click

here for more information about how the brain is impacted by stimulant use.

As with many other drugs, stimulants possess very high addictive potential.

Examples include:cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), nicotine, andcaffeine.
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