Drug Classification and The Horrendous Top 200 Drugs

Learning Drug Classification has to be the most difficult subject for any Health Science Student especially Pharmacy and Pharmacy Tech students. Oh the fun you will have memorizing all of Top 200 drugs [my evil laugh] muhahaha. However, I am here to shed some light to this subject and hopefully you can start a plan of attack to study Drug Classification. You don't have to memorize all of the drugs, just the ending. Do keep in mind that not all drugs that end the same will have the same classification but the majority of the same classifications will have the same ending. Before we start let me explain something about Drug Classifications in general.

1. You have a Classification and;
2. within the Classification you have Agents or Sub-Classifications
3. within the Agents you have the drugs.

I know just bare with me you'll get it I promise. Let's break it down!



Figure 1: Antihypertensive classification with agents categorizes.

In another blog, [not yet created] I talk about other important features you will need to keep in mind while learning the use, side effects and more. For now let's keep it simply about the classifications of a drug. Drug Classification can be complex so let's try not to confuse you and myself in this blog [I'm confusing as it is] and you can rest assured that not all agents have sub-classifications, so just calm down.

Okay, check this out:

Drug Classification: Antihypertensive
Agent: Beta-Blocker
Use: Treats high blood pressure

Generic Name:
Labetalol
Atenolol
Betaxolol
Bisoprolol
Nadolol
Carvedilol
Timolol
Metoprolol

If you notice the beta-blockers have -lol at the end. One way I remember most drugs is to make something up to help me memorize a specific classification. Yes, you can be as silly and creative as possible so just do your best and it doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you.

To memorize the beta-blockers I say: The two L's block the O [LOL] beta-blocker

You can do that same with a drug name: Brand: Cialis Generic: Tadalafil [See Alice, Oh ya Dadda lift]  - Treats erectile dysfunction (trouble having an erection) or sometimes drug companies make it easy for you for example: Golytely [ Go lightly to the bathroom] - bowel cleansing.

Feel better! When I said to be silly and creative I meant that. Remember if this doesn't work for you then come up with something else. Just don't say the words in bracket to a patient because that would be awkward.

Okay, so now you have a plan of attack. Take a classification for example: Antihypertensives then find all of the agents, if any. Once you do that start to make a graph by either writing it down on paper or be fancy and use Microsoft word graphs. You can also use flash cards or check out quizlet. The possibilities are endless! By the way this will require extra time and organization so don't try to learn all drug classifications in 1-2 days without prior preparation [you have been warn].






Figure 2: Shows the majority of antihypertensive drugs. Yellow boxes represent the agents, Purple boxes represent sub-class and blue boxes represent the drugs. Note that the blue boxes with yellow words are endings of drugs.  

Some classifications aren't as dense so you can move faster with some. On the other hand, we do have classifications that drag on forever. Antibiotics will pull your hair out but having some organization and a plan of attack can simplify the most complicated classification. Figure 2 shows the break down of antihypertensive drugs.

I have faith you will do well with Drug Classification and with that being said:

Keep it Classy! Thanks for stopping by The Study Spot with Mrs. V

reference:
www.merckmanual.com
www.epocrates.com
Mrs.V's crafty and creative self

Are you ready to take the PTCE?

Hello Fellow Students, Graduates or whoever you are! The summer is here and you just graduated from the Pharmacy Technician Program (congratulations) yet you still need to take the PTCE. For those of you who do not know the PTCE, it's a National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Click on this link: www.ptcb.org for more information. 

So what about the test, well according to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: 

• You have 90 questions (80 scored questions and 10 un-scored questions). 
• Each question is shown with four possible answers, only one of which is the correct answer. 
• Un-scored questions are not identified and are randomly distributed throughout the exam. 
• A candidate’s exam score is based on the responses to the 80 scored questions. 
• One hour and 50 minutes (110 min) are allotted for answering the exam questions and 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey. 
• And you pay $129 each time you take it. (Only 3 with 4th having to petition)

Click on Exam to check out additional information.

Okay, that's easy but what's in the exam. Let's check out the Blue Print . You get all that! If you have formal training (ASHP accredited) you should pass. I say "should" assuming you registered to a program to learn, gain experience and prepared yourself to pass the exam. If you do not pass, you only have YOURSELF to blame. If you are not studying now, get off the internet and crack open your notes. Don't worry I'll wait..(can't say the same for that new job). Now, for the rest of you let me give you an awesome link: Practice Test 1.0. Remember you must be a student or a graduate from San Jacinto College Pharmacy Technician Program and to validate, you must email me: Irene Banuelos-Villatoro . The password will be changed every month to avoid hackers. 


The online test generator is called Testmoz and the system is very simple. It will not time you or show a question one at a time. The scoring system is not the same as the PTCE as I grade all 90 questions. Therefore, my test are harder to pass and the same score of 1,400 is needed to pass. The PTCE is the same but as mentioned above they only score 80 questions.

So what's the break down well let me show you. PTCB Scoring 

• Lowest you can score is 1000 (I've never seen lower, but it's possible)
• Highest you can score is 1,600 (you can't score higher)
• To Pass you need a 1,400 

A little math to break down the points:

• PTCB scores 80 questions out of 90 if your highest is 1,600 then,
• 20 points per question 1600/80=20
• If you need a 1,400 then,
• You must answer 70 scored questions correctly to pass

BUT wait, which 10 questions are unscored ! Hahahahaha (Jajajajajaja), I do not know and either do you. 

Well, then what can you do? Well PTCB offers a practice exam PTCE PRACTICE for $29. The cool thing about using the practice exam:

It mimics the exam by the number of question and it's timed. If you have never taken an exam on Blackboard or by computer system then I highly suggest you take it.

The not so cool thing about using the practice exam:

It does not score like the official PTCE and you will not receive a diagnostic report. Instead the report will tell you what you answered right or wrong. They do however explain why your answer(s) is/are incorrect. PTCB only give 24 hours access to the test. Once the 24 hours are over you can't access your report to view your questions/answers. 

So if you want to know what your weaknesses are before taking the exam check out my Practice Test 1.0. Why:

• It's FREE (need I say more)
• You can take it as many times as you want
• 90 questions, which are all scored so its rigorous. 
• AND I have more Practice Test. 

I hope you take this serious because the PTCB will only allow 3 chances and after the 3rd you will have to petition your 4th retake. Seriously, if you do not pass after the 2nd time (if you fail) you honestly do not need to be responsible for patient's medications. That's just real talk! AND you will have to pay $129 each time you take the exam. 

Once you take my  Practice Test 1.0 I will email you subject quizzes to strengthen your weaknesses. If you pass all of the subject quizzes you can take my Practice Test 2.0 (which is not available). Keep in mind that the Practice exams may contain some errors or may not either way email me. I can send you the explanation to any question/answer. For now,

Keep it Classy! Thanks for stopping by The Study Spot with Mrs. V