Drug Use and Classification - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering drug definitions, naming conventions, classifications, and street names based on the notes.

Drug

An administered substance that alters physiological functioning; a chemical taken into the body that changes the body's functioning (excluding nutrients).

Chemical name

The precise chemical name describing a drug’s molecular structure (example: N-Methyl-3-[4-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3-phenylpropylamine).

Generic name

The nonproprietary name of a drug used across manufacturers (e.g., fluoxetine).

Trade name

Brand or proprietary name given by a company; often capitalized (e.g., Prozac).

Patent

Legal protection granting exclusive rights to manufacture and sell a drug, typically lasting about 20 years from filing. Median purpose is to recoup development costs.

Endogenous

Originating within the body; includes internally produced substances like endocannabinoids (anandamide) and endorphins.

Natural origin drug

A drug derived from living organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria); basis for about half of the market and often purified in the lab.

Synthetic drug

A drug created chemically, often as an altered form of a purified natural drug, enabling patenting.

Barbiturate

A class of CNS depressants used as sedatives/hypnotics (e.g., amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital).

Suffix -caine

Indicates local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine).

Suffix -olol

Indicates beta-blockers used in cardiovascular conditions.

Suffix -pril

Indicates ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications).

Suffix -sone

Indicates corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory steroids).

Schedule I

Drugs with the highest abuse potential and no accepted medical use in the United States (e.g., heroin, LSD, marijuana).

Schedule II

Drugs with high abuse potential but with medical use (e.g., cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine).

Schedule III

Drugs with moderate abuse potential and medical use (e.g., codeine in combinations, anabolic steroids, ketamine).

Schedule IV

Drugs with low potential for abuse and medical use (e.g., benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Ambien).

Schedule V

Drugs with the lowest abuse potential and medical use; often includes certain cough preparations with small amounts of codeine.

Street name Bennies

Slang term for amphetamines (e.g., Bennies, black beauties).

Street name Cocaine

Slang terms for cocaine such as Coke, rock, crack.

Street name Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Slang terms Robo, triple C for dextromethorphan.

Street name Marijuana

Slang terms Joint, blunt, weed for Cannabis.

Street name Methamphetamine

Slang terms Meth, ice, crystal for methamphetamine.

Street name MDMA

Slang terms Ecstasy, Adam for MDMA.

Street name LSD

Slang terms Acid, blotter for LSD.

Street name Phencyclidine (PCP)

Slang terms PCP, angel dust.

Psychoactive drugs

Drugs that affect mood, perception, and behavior.

Recreational drugs

Psychoactive drugs used for nonmedical purposes; can be legal or illegal.

Brand vs. Generic names

Active ingredient is the same; generics are usually cheaper and equally effective; brands may differ in inactive ingredients, packaging, and may affect insurance coverage.

Endocannabinoids

Cannabinoids produced within the body (e.g., anandamide) that bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Common drug classification schemes

Classifications by use/effect (psychoactive, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, psychotherapeutics) and by medical use.

Drug

An administered substance that alters physiological functioning; a chemical taken into the body that changes the body's functioning (excluding nutrients).

Chemical name

The precise chemical name describing a drug’s molecular structure (example: N-Methyl-3-[4-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3-phenylpropylamine).

Generic name

The nonproprietary name of a drug used across manufacturers (e.g., fluoxetine).

Trade name

Brand or proprietary name given by a company; often capitalized (e.g., Prozac).

Patent

Legal protection granting exclusive rights to manufacture and sell a drug, typically lasting about 20 years from filing. Median purpose is to recoup development costs.

Endogenous

Originating within the body; includes internally produced substances like endocannabinoids (anandamide) and endorphins.

Natural origin drug

A drug derived from living organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria); basis for about half of the market and often purified in the lab.

Synthetic drug

A drug created chemically, often as an altered form of a purified natural drug, enabling patenting.

Barbiturate

A class of CNS depressants used as sedatives/hypnotics (e.g., amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital).

Suffix -caine

Indicates local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine).

Suffix -olol

Indicates beta-blockers used in cardiovascular conditions.

Suffix -pril

Indicates ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications).

Suffix -sone

Indicates corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory steroids).

Schedule I

Drugs with the highest abuse potential and no accepted medical use in the United States (e.g., heroin, LSD, marijuana).

Schedule II

Drugs with high abuse potential but with medical use (e.g., cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine).

Schedule III

Drugs with moderate abuse potential and medical use (e.g., codeine in combinations, anabolic steroids, ketamine).

Schedule IV

Drugs with low potential for abuse and medical use (e.g., benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Ambien).

Schedule V

Drugs with the lowest abuse potential and medical use; often includes certain cough preparations with small amounts of codeine.

Street name Bennies

Slang term for amphetamines (e.g., Bennies, black beauties).

Street name Cocaine

Slang terms for cocaine such as Coke, rock, crack.

Street name Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Slang terms Robo, triple C for dextromethorphan.

Street name Marijuana

Slang terms Joint, blunt, weed for Cannabis.

Street name Methamphetamine

Slang terms Meth, ice, crystal for methamphetamine.

Street name MDMA

Slang terms Ecstasy, Adam for MDMA.

Street name LSD

Slang terms Acid, blotter for LSD.

Street name Phencyclidine (PCP)

Slang terms PCP, angel dust.

Psychoactive drugs

Drugs that affect mood, perception, and behavior.

Recreational drugs

Psychoactive drugs used for nonmedical purposes; can be legal or illegal.

Brand vs. Generic names

Active ingredient is the same; generics are usually cheaper and equally effective; brands may differ in inactive ingredients, packaging, and may affect insurance coverage.

Endocannabinoids

Cannabinoids produced within the body (e.g., anandamide) that bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Common drug classification schemes

Classifications by use/effect (psychoactive, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, psychotherapeutics) and by medical use.

What class of CNS depressants do amobarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital belong to?

Barbiturates.

A drug with the chemical name N-Methyl-3-[4-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3-phenylpropylamine is primarily identified by what type of name?

Chemical name.

If the generic name for Prozac is fluoxetine, what is the significance of the "Prozac" name?

"Prozac" is the trade or brand name, specific to the company that developed it.

Why are drug patents beneficial for pharmaceutical companies?

Patents grant exclusive manufacturing and sales rights for approximately 20 years, allowing companies to recoup significant research and development costs.

What is a key motivation for chemically altering a natural drug to create a synthetic version?

To enable patenting of the new synthetic compound, which is typically not possible for naturally occurring substances in their original form.

A physician prescribes a medication ending in -olol for a patient. What type of medical condition is this drug likely targeting?

Cardiovascular conditions, as drugs with the -olol suffix are typically beta-blockers.

A substance like anandamide, produced naturally in the body and binding to cannabinoid receptors, is an example of what kind of compound?

An endogenous cannabinoid or endocannabinoid.

Why are drugs classified into Schedules by the DEA, and what is the primary basis for this classification?

They are classified to regulate their manufacture, possession, and distribution, primarily based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use.

A drug like Xanax (alprazolam) is considered to have a low potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Under which Controlled Substance Schedule would it be classified?

Schedule IV.