Nomenclature

Cynthia Bartlau, RN, PHN, MSN

Nomenclature
Drugs are categorized under broad
subcategories called classifications
Drugs with several types of therapeutic
effects fit under several classifications
(Aspirin)

Drug Classifications

Therapeutic Effect
Antihypertensive
Antiemetic
Antibiotic
Diuretic

Physiologic Action
B-adrenergic

blocker
Ca channel blocker

Classifications (cont.)

The same drug may belong to more than

one classification
Propranalol:

B-blocker (physiologic action),

antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive
Perphenazine: antiemetic =controls N/V,
antipsychotic = anticholinergic side effects
(dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention,
blurred vision, tachycardia, sedation)

Nomenclature/Classifications
(cont.)

Prototype Drug = representative of many

drugs within the class
Diazepam:

Benzodiazepine,
sedative/hypnotic, antianxiety
Similarities: pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, effects, side effects,
adverse reactions, contraindications,
drug/food interaction

Nomenclature / Drug Names

Generic
Name

given to drug before it becomes official

Given by the United States Adopted Names
Council
Typically derived from chemical name
Usually shorter

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Trade
Name

that is registered by the manufacturer

Followed by the trademark symbol
Can only be used by the manufacturer
May have several trade names (depending on
number of manufacturers)
The first letter of the name is capitalized

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Chemical
Gives

exact chemical composition of the drug

Places atoms or molecular structure

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Official
Name

listed in the United States

Pharmacopoeia-National Formulary
May be the same as the generic name

Acetaminophen/N-acetyl-paminophenol/Tylenol, Datil

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

When a new drug is produced it is given a

generic name
It must be tested and approved by the FDA
Listed in the USP/NF by an official name
Producing company has an exclusive right for 17
years and other companies can produce the
same drug, but will assign own trade name

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Patient Education
Generic

and trade name drugs have same basic

ingredients by law

Trade name drug is more expensive

Advertising
Pharmacy

dispension
Though basic ingredients are same, the fillers may
be different (fillers may effect speed drug is dissolved
or takes effect, some dyes may cause allergic
reaction)

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Combination drugs
Have

several generic names, but only one

trade name
Darvocet-N-100 = Acetaminophen 650mg,
Propoxypene napsylate, 100mg

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Trade names with numbers

The

number refers to the amount of one of the

generic components
A differentiating factor
Number represents the amount of the
controlled substance

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Trade Name
Empirin
Empirin #1

Generic Name
Aspirin 325mg
Aspirin 325 mg
Codeine Phosphate 7.5mg
Empirin #2
Aspirin 325 mg
Codeine Phosphate 15mg
The larger the number, the greater the amount of the
controlled substance contained therein.

Nomenclature / Drug Names (cont.)

Potential med errors

Trade

name misinterpreted for the # of tablets

to give
Allergic reaction to one of the generic
components (check for aspirin allergy)
Giving 2 #3s instead of one #4 (doubles the
dose of aspirin from 325mg to 650mg)

Drug References

PDR = Physicians Desk Reference

Distributed

to practicing physicians
All drugs cross referenced

White manufacturers index (company that makes drug)

Pink product index (trade and generic name)
Blue product category index (drug classification)
Green (description of substances used for medical testing)
Photographs of many drugs
List of all US Poison Control Centers

Drug References (cont.)

PDR (cont.)
Geared

for physicians
Lengthy descriptions
Difficult to identify what is most important to
remember
No easily identifiable nursing implications

Drug References (cont.)

USP/DI = US Pharmacopaeia/Dispensing
Information
Must

be purchased
Practical guidelines for the patient (everyday
language)
Tips for proper use of medication and what
precautions to take

Drug References (cont.)

AHFS = American Health-System

Formulary Service
Good,

concise information
Arranged by classification with a description
of each classification at the beginning of each
section

Drug References (cont.)

Compendium of Drug Therapy

Distributed

to physicians
2 hardback volumes
Easy to read
Photographs of drugs
Phone # of major pharmaceutical companies
Poison control centers listed

Drug References (cont.)

Daviss Drug Guide

Best

resource for nursing

Includes nursing implications

Assessment
Potential nursing diagnoses
Implementation
Patient/family teaching
Evaluation

Well

organized

Terms

Indication
Medical

condition for which the drug is meant

to be used
Benadryl = allergic skin reaction, mild
Parkinsonian symptoms, nasal allergies

Terms (cont.)

Action
Cellular

changes that occur as a result of the

drug
Know which body system is affected
Benadryl competes with histamine for cell
receptor sites on effector cell

Terms (cont.)

Contraindication
Condition

for which the drug should not be

given
Pregnancy, lactation

Terms (cont.)

Warning & Precaution

Conditions

or types of patients that warrant

closer observation for specific side effects
when given drug
Hx of bronchial asthma, HTN

Terms (cont.)

Side Effects & Adverse Reaction

List

of possible unpleasant or dangerous

secondary effects other than the desired effects
Benadryl causes sedation, dizziness, thickening of
bronchial secretion
Ototoxicity aspirin
Nephrotoxicity gentamycin
Photosensitivity antipsychotic/Haloperidol

Terms (cont.)

Interaction
Other

foods or drugs that may alter the effect

of the drug
MAO inhibitors have major interaction, some
causing BP changes and even death

Sources of Drugs

Any chemical substance taken into body

for the purpose of affecting body function
is referred to as a drug

Sources of Drugs (cont.)

Plants = primary source of substances used in

human body
Berries,

Minerals = from the earth & soil

Iron,

sulfur, potassium, silver & even gold

Animals = substances from the glands, organs &

tissues of animals
Pork

bark, leaves, resin from trees, roots

insulin

Synthetic = man made (test tube drugs)

Sources of Drugs

Plants

Example

Trade Name

Classification

Chinchona Bark

Quinidine

Antiarrhythmic

Purple Foxglove

Digitalis

Cardiotonic

Poppy Plant
(Opium)

Paregoric,
Morphine,
Codeine

Antidiarrheal,
Analgesic,
Analgesic,
Antitussive

Sources of Drugs

Minerals

Example

Trade Name

Classification

Magnesium

Milk of Magnesia

Antacid, Laxative

Zinc

Zinc Oxide Oint.

Sunscreen, Skin
Protectant

Gold

Solganal, Auranofin Anti-inflammatory;

Used in tx of
Rheumatoid
Arthritis

Sources of Drugs

Animals

Example

Trade Name

Classification

Pancreas of Cow,
Hog

Insulin; regular,
NPH, PZI

Antidiabetic
Hormone

Stomach of Cow,
Hog

Pepsin

Digestive
Hormone

Thyroid Gland
Of Animals

Thyroid, USP

Hormone

Sources of Drugs

Synthetic

Example

Trade Name

Classification

Meperidine

Demerol

Analgesic

Diphenoxylate

Lomotil

Antidiarrheal

Co-Trimoxazole

Bactrim, Septra

Anti-Infective
Sulfonamide;
Used in the
treatment of
UTIs

Effects of Drugs

Systemic
Effect

is made throughout body (Tylenol)

Local
Affects

are limited to the area of the body

where it is administered (Preparation H for
hemorrhoidal pain)

Drug Actions
Depressing
Stimulating
Destroying
Replacing Substances

Questions???