Pharmacological classification of medicines and their therapeutic uses
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Drug Classification Systems: Pharmacological and Therapeutic Keywords
Medicines are classified in several ways to help healthcare professionals understand their properties, uses, and mechanisms. The most widely used systems include the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, neuroscience-based nomenclature (NbN), and classifications based on chemical structure, mechanism of action, and therapeutic use 12310.
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System
The ATC system, developed by the World Health Organization, organizes drugs into groups based on the organ or system they act upon, as well as their therapeutic, pharmacological, and chemical characteristics. Drugs are assigned unique ATC codes and classified at five different levels, making it easier to identify their main uses and properties 310. This system is widely used for regulatory, research, and clinical purposes.
Neuroscience-Based Nomenclature (NbN) for Psychotropic Drugs
The NbN system was created to address the limitations of the ATC system, especially for psychotropic drugs. Instead of focusing only on the disease or symptom treated, NbN classifies drugs by their pharmacological domain and mechanism of action. This approach helps clinicians and researchers better understand how drugs work and select appropriate treatments. NbN also includes information on approved indications, efficacy, side effects, and neurobiology, providing a more comprehensive view of each medicine 28.
Classification by Mechanism of Action and Molecular Target
Modern pharmacology increasingly favors classifying drugs by their mechanism of action or molecular target, such as receptor type or enzyme affected. For example, instead of using broad terms like "anticholinergics," drugs are now more precisely described as "muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists." This shift improves clarity and helps avoid confusion, especially when drugs have multiple effects or targets 479.
Classification by Chemical Structure and Other Criteria
Drugs can also be grouped by their chemical nature (e.g., alkaloids, steroids), duration of action (short-acting, long-acting), route of administration (oral, inhaled), or generation (first-generation, second-generation). These methods are useful for understanding similarities in drug behavior, side effects, and interactions 15.
Therapeutic Uses of Medicines
Medicines are commonly classified by the diseases or symptoms they treat, such as antihypertensives (for high blood pressure), antimalarials (for malaria), or antiarrhythmics (for heart rhythm disorders). This therapeutic classification helps guide clinical decision-making and patient care 169. However, as our understanding of drug mechanisms improves, there is a growing trend to combine therapeutic and pharmacological classifications for greater precision .
Conclusion
Pharmacological classification of medicines is essential for safe and effective therapy. The main systems—ATC, NbN, and mechanism-based classifications—each offer unique advantages. While traditional classifications focus on therapeutic use or chemical structure, modern approaches increasingly emphasize molecular targets and mechanisms of action. This evolution in drug classification helps improve clarity, supports better clinical decisions, and enhances patient care 12345678+2 MORE.
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