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