Categorizing Drugs: Classes, Names, and Schedules

How do we categorize drugs? How do we name them? This is quite a bit trickier than one might think, because there are different ways we might want to categorize them, each of which has its own application. Any drug also has multiple names that serve different purposes as well. It may sound like a headache, but don't worry, we will clear everything up in this tutorial!

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[cristianbenjaminbacadiaz]

This boys knows about many topics and teachers all of them very well. He was born to be a teacher. He coculd teach about any topic he wants

[av-wpff]

I have a degree in pharmacology and am currently working in clinical trials. Please don't downplay the potential differences between the effet of a generic and a brand name. They are actually not that negligeable in a lot of times. The bioequivalence studies performed are really not that rigorous (they need to reach the same peak concentration in the blood at one point but they do not need to fit the same curve so a generic drug could reach the peak in 15 minutes whilst the brand name would reach the peak in 2 hrs, this can make a BIG difference when comes the time to prescribe and use drugs, but they would still be considered bioequivalent). Bioequivalence does not mean therapeutic equivalence. Also, depending on what is the margin of inferiority accepted in the bioequivalence trial that was performed it could be a lot less bioequivalent than claimed. (some even accept up to 50% discrepancy) Not even mentioning the recent scandals that emerged from generic companies.

[Guidus]

I've a degree in pharmacology yet this is still a very useful video as an overview, thank you!

[WYM]

I must applaud those who study and manufacture drugs (legally). I broke 6 vertebrae a few years ago and was in extreme pain. The first drug they gave me was morphine, which did nothing. However, later they gave me Dilaudid which is an awesome drug. To clarify, the bones in my back that broke were thoracic vertebrae and they did not completely break, so I am not paralyzed. Nor am I on these pain medications anymore.

[Zancibar]

Anyone thinking about dihydrogen monoxide when he gave the chemophobia example?

[jmsray]

I really thanks God I found your channel Professor Dave, have been watching to help me with my nclex-rn exams. Thank you very much, it really helps me a lot specially anatomy and physiology!

[METAMusic]

Thank you for saying marijuana and LSD being scheduled in class 1 is propaganda. As always, you’re the best Dave!

[jitteryhands]

I love these videos because the comments too are a treasure trove of information.

[MisterItchy]

Great job explaining! Even I can understand it!

[XanderGouws]

I'm super excited for the rest of this series!!

Heroin is most definitely *not* "the most addictive drug known to man." Many synthetic opioids and opioid analogues are far more addictive than heroin. Benzodiazepines are far more physically addictive than any opiate/opioid/analogue. Barbiturates as well. Hell, even alcohol is more addictive than heroin, once you become physically dependent on it. Heroin is the only opiate that is completely illegal, which is just silly, since it's essentially just morphine (diacetylmorphine) and is metabolized *as* morphine by the body. It just has a somewhat faster onset. There are opioids that are far more euphoric than heroin, such as hydromorphone and fentanyl. There are synthetics with much more severe withdrawal symptoms. I speak from experience. Fentynal is so potent that basically no amount of heroin can even get you well. Methadone has an acute withdrawal period of 30-45 days, vs 5-7 days with every other opioid. As for other classifications of drugs, I have witnessed a girl go into a grand maul seizure due to benzo withdrawal- nearly a *YEAR* after she had quit taking them. I don't know of anyone who has ever died from opioid withdrawal, whereas people die from benzo and alcohol withdrawal on a regular basis. I have been addicted to heroin before and it was nowhere near as bad as when I was addicted to alcohol. I had to be admitted to the emergency room due to alcohol withdrawal. I was up to 1.5 liters of 100 proof vodka a day and it had been ~10 hours since I had taken a drink. I was trying to white-knuckle it, just like I did with the opioids, but I legit felt like I was going to die (not that I just *wanted* to die, like the painkiller withdrawal). Well, when they took my vitals, my resting BP came in at 246/119 and my pulse was over 160. The nurse practitioner said I was lucky to still be on my feet and not on a crash cart with a massive stroke. I was shaking terribly and was starting to hallucinate. It was fucking awful. Much worse than the worst opioid kick I ever put myself through. And alcohol isn't anywhere on the schedule. Considering that THC and psilocybin are schedule I, I would venture to say that the DEA's drug schedule is utter bullshit.

[evanhughes]

You always do a fantastic job. Thank you.

[naisafayaz]

Thanks professor Dave for your wonderful videos which are helping us in our studies.

[anig.]

Thank you for posting this!! Very useful intro for us future pharmacists... I didn’t even realize that marijuana was considered a schedule 1 drug!

[romithromith]

@Dave – I believe any amount of codeine by itself is schedule II. In practical terms, it is combination with other APIs that make codeine C-III, and in some cases C-V. I think the _primary_ distinction between C-I and C-II is approved medical (or veterinary) use, not abuse potential. In future episode you might consider distinguishing the terms opiate and opioid (and narcotic). Keep up the good work!

[juliajolnark]

Thank you sooo much you filled all of my awareness gaps.your philosophy somehow is so reliable.

[meeseonko]

Love all your videos. Thanks a lot! Easy to understand. They are all very useful.

[berivjb]

Thanks so much Prof Dave for this concise and clear classification of drugs

[Yohannesboy]

found this video to be extremely helpful. Thank you professor Dave!

[ammaryasseralgaradi]

Professor : why did you delete the other 3 videos in pharmacology??
I liked your videos so much, so keep going .