Drug class: Difference between revisions
imported>Fire Created page with "{{Short description|Category of drugs used to classify a drug according to certain criteria}} {{about|pharmacological drug classification}} A '''drug class''' is a set of medications and other compounds that have a similar chemical structures, the same mechanism of action (i.e. binding to the same biological target), a related mode of action, and/or are used to treat the same disease.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mahoney A, Evans J | title = Compa..." |
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{{about|pharmacological drug classification}} | {{about|pharmacological drug classification}} | ||
A '''drug class''' is a set of [[medication]]s and other compounds that have a similar [[chemical structure]]s, the same [[mechanism of action]] (i.e. binding to the same [[biological target]]), a related [[mode of action]], and/or are used to treat the same disease. | A '''drug class''' is a set of [[medication]]s and other compounds that have a similar [[chemical structure]]s, the same [[mechanism of action]] (i.e. binding to the same [[biological target]]), a related [[mode of action]], and/or are used to treat the same disease. | ||
In several dominant drug classification systems, these four types of classifications form a hierarchy. For example, the [[fibrate]]s are a chemical class of drugs (amphipathic carboxylic acids) that share the same mechanism of action ([[PPAR agonist]]) and mode of action (reducing blood [[triglyceride]]s), and that are used to prevent and treat the same disease ([[atherosclerosis]]). Conversely, not all PPAR agonists are fibrates, not all triglyceride lowering agents are PPAR agonists, and not all drugs used to treat atherosclerosis are triglyceride-lowering agents. | In several dominant drug classification systems, these four types of classifications form a hierarchy. For example, the [[fibrate]]s are a chemical class of drugs (amphipathic carboxylic acids) that share the same mechanism of action ([[PPAR agonist]]) and mode of action (reducing blood [[triglyceride]]s), and that are used to prevent and treat the same disease ([[atherosclerosis]]). Conversely, not all PPAR agonists are fibrates, not all triglyceride lowering agents are PPAR agonists, and not all drugs used to treat atherosclerosis are triglyceride-lowering agents. | ||
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== Mechanism of action == | == Mechanism of action == | ||
This type of categorisation is from a [[Pharmacology|pharmacological]] perspective and categorises them by their biological target. Drug classes that share a common molecular [[mechanism of action]] modulate the activity of a specific [[biological target]]. | This type of categorisation is from a [[Pharmacology|pharmacological]] perspective and categorises them by their biological target. Drug classes that share a common molecular [[mechanism of action]] modulate the activity of a specific [[biological target]]. The definition of a mechanism of action also includes the type of activity at that biological target. For receptors, these activities include [[agonist]], [[receptor antagonist|antagonist]], [[inverse agonist]], or [[selective receptor modulator|modulator]]. Enzyme target mechanisms include [[enzyme activator|activator]] or [[enzyme inhibitor|inhibitor]]. Ion channel modulators include [[channel opener|opener]] or [[channel blocker|blocker]]. The following are specific examples of drug classes whose definition is based on a specific mechanism of action: | ||
{{div col|colwidth=33em}} | {{div col|colwidth=33em}} | ||
* [[5-alpha-reductase inhibitor|5-Alpha-reductase inhibitor]] | * [[5-alpha-reductase inhibitor|5-Alpha-reductase inhibitor]] | ||
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==Amalgamated classes== | ==Amalgamated classes== | ||
Some drug classes have been amalgamated from these three principles to meet practical needs. The class of [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) is one such example. Strictly speaking, and also historically, the wider class of anti-inflammatory drugs also comprises [[Corticosteroid|''steroidal'' anti-inflammatory drugs]]. These drugs were in fact the predominant anti-inflammatories during the decade leading up to the introduction of the term "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs." Because of the disastrous reputation that the corticosteroids had got in the 1950s, the new term, which offered to signal that an anti-inflammatory drug was not a steroid, rapidly gained currency. | Some drug classes have been amalgamated from these three principles to meet practical needs. The class of [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) is one such example. Strictly speaking, and also historically, the wider class of anti-inflammatory drugs also comprises [[Corticosteroid|''steroidal'' anti-inflammatory drugs]]. These drugs were in fact the predominant anti-inflammatories during the decade leading up to the introduction of the term "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs." Because of the disastrous reputation that the corticosteroids had got in the 1950s, the new term, which offered to signal that an anti-inflammatory drug was not a steroid, rapidly gained currency. The drug class of "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs) is thus composed by one element ("anti-inflammatory") that designates the mechanism of action, and one element ("nonsteroidal") that separates it from other drugs with that same mechanism of action. Similarly, one might argue that the class of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) is composed by one element ("disease-modifying") that albeit vaguely designates a mechanism of action, and one element ("anti-rheumatic drug") that indicates its therapeutic use. | ||
* [[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] (NSAID) | * [[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] (NSAID) | ||
* [[Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug]] (DMARD) | * [[Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug]] (DMARD) | ||
==Other systems of classification== | ==Other systems of classification== | ||
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*For the Canadian legal classification, see [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/index.html Controlled Drugs and Substances Act] | *For the Canadian legal classification, see [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/index.html Controlled Drugs and Substances Act] | ||
* [[Pregnancy category]] is defined using a variety of systems by different jurisdictions | * [[Pregnancy category]] is defined using a variety of systems by different jurisdictions | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 10:33, 25 March 2024
A drug class is a set of medications and other compounds that have a similar chemical structures, the same mechanism of action (i.e. binding to the same biological target), a related mode of action, and/or are used to treat the same disease.
In several dominant drug classification systems, these four types of classifications form a hierarchy. For example, the fibrates are a chemical class of drugs (amphipathic carboxylic acids) that share the same mechanism of action (PPAR agonist) and mode of action (reducing blood triglycerides), and that are used to prevent and treat the same disease (atherosclerosis). Conversely, not all PPAR agonists are fibrates, not all triglyceride lowering agents are PPAR agonists, and not all drugs used to treat atherosclerosis are triglyceride-lowering agents.
A drug class is typically defined by a prototype drug, the most important, and typically the first developed drug within the class, used as a reference for comparison.
List of drugs classes: [1]
Comprehensive Systems
- Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) - most widely used. Combines classification by organ system and therapeutic, pharmacological, and chemical properties.
- Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) - includes a section devoted to drug classification
Chemical class
This type of categorisation of drugs is from a chemical perspective and categorises them by their chemical structure. Examples of drug classes that are based on chemical structures include:
Mechanism of action
This type of categorisation is from a pharmacological perspective and categorises them by their biological target. Drug classes that share a common molecular mechanism of action modulate the activity of a specific biological target. The definition of a mechanism of action also includes the type of activity at that biological target. For receptors, these activities include agonist, antagonist, inverse agonist, or modulator. Enzyme target mechanisms include activator or inhibitor. Ion channel modulators include opener or blocker. The following are specific examples of drug classes whose definition is based on a specific mechanism of action:
- 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitor
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
- ACE inhibitor
- Alpha-adrenergic agonist
- Beta blocker
- Cholinergic
- Dopaminergic
- GABAergic
- Incretin mimetic
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug − cyclooxygenase inhibitor
- Proton-pump inhibitor
- Renin inhibitor
- Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator
- Serotonergic
- Statin – HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
Mode of action
This type of categorisation of drugs is from a biological perspective and categorises them by the anatomical or functional change they induce. Drug classes that are defined by common modes of action (i.e. the functional or anatomical change they induce) include:
- Antifungals
- Antimicrobials
- Antithrombotics
- Bronchodilator
- Chronotrope (positive or negative)
- Decongestant
- Diuretic or Antidiuretic
- Inotrope (positive or negative)
Therapeutic class
This type of categorisation of drugs is from a medical perspective and categorises them by the pathology they are used to treat. Drug classes that are defined by their therapeutic use (the pathology they are intended to treat) include:
Amalgamated classes
Some drug classes have been amalgamated from these three principles to meet practical needs. The class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is one such example. Strictly speaking, and also historically, the wider class of anti-inflammatory drugs also comprises steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs were in fact the predominant anti-inflammatories during the decade leading up to the introduction of the term "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs." Because of the disastrous reputation that the corticosteroids had got in the 1950s, the new term, which offered to signal that an anti-inflammatory drug was not a steroid, rapidly gained currency. The drug class of "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs) is thus composed by one element ("anti-inflammatory") that designates the mechanism of action, and one element ("nonsteroidal") that separates it from other drugs with that same mechanism of action. Similarly, one might argue that the class of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) is composed by one element ("disease-modifying") that albeit vaguely designates a mechanism of action, and one element ("anti-rheumatic drug") that indicates its therapeutic use.
Other systems of classification
Other systems of drug classification exist, for example the Biopharmaceutics Classification System which determines a drugs' attributes by solubility and intestinal permeability.
Legal classification
- For the UK legal classification, see Drugs controlled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act
- For the US legal classification, see Controlled Substances Act § Schedules of controlled substances
- For the Canadian legal classification, see Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Pregnancy category is defined using a variety of systems by different jurisdictions
External links
- "Drug names and classes". PubMed Health. United States National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
- "Information by Drug Class". Drug Safety and Availability. United States Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
 | この記事は、クリエイティブ・コモンズ・表示・継承ライセンス3.0のもとで公表されたウィキペディアの項目Drug class(4 January 2023編集記事参照)を素材として二次利用しています。 Item:Q12496  |