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Things may get messy because of the confusing classes/categories of drugs when it comes down to self-learning or some efforts to increase your knowledge about drugs. The next thing you’ll probably ask is about drug classifications, right?

With thousands of drugs belonging to one or more categories marketed, it’s likely for people even including the physicians to become puzzled. Here’re just a few reasons why drug classifications may become confusing.

Drugs are classified using different means like therapeutic intents, chemical compositions, actions, and mechanisms, etc.

Different drugs may come in similar names.

Same drugs may use formulations but come in different names

There’re formulations from one single brand but they include several different drugs.

Drug names sometimes come in abbreviations.

Last but not least; remembering drug names may require some basic knowledge about chemistry and relations/interactions of chemicals with the body.

There are several ways drugs have been categorized. Here are the most widely followed means of classifications.

Chemical structure of drugs

Mode of actions and mechanism of actions

Legal classifications

Therapeutic and pharmacological considerations

Since all types of medications we find in the market belong to one or more classes of drugs as specified in the pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification procedure introduced by the AHFS or American Hospital Formulary Service, we’re going to present you the highlights of the AHFS classes.

Often prescribed for atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions, asthma, and urticaria. Important subclasses include alkylamines, piperidines, and piperazines.

Often prescribed for protozoal infections, such as, amebiasis, babesiosis, cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniasis, microsporidiosis, etc. Important subclasses include antimalerial agents and amebiasis drugs.

Used for treating leprosy, a chronic disease.

Used for preventing infection from spreading by killing or stopping infectious agents/organisms from growing and spreading. Important subclasses include Amebicides, Anthelmintics, Antibiotics, Antibacterial and Antiviral agents.