Title: Identify medication and dispensing classifications.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Understanding Basics of Medication Administration and Pharmacology

Explanation may include

- sources of medications
  - natural
    - plant (e.g., aspirin derived from willow bark)
    - animal (e.g., insulin derived from the pancreas of pigs and cattle)
    - mineral (e.g., Epsom salts derived from magnesium sulfate)
  - chemical sources
    - synthetic—created in a laboratory
    - biotechnology (e.g., Humulin—a synthetic insulin)
- medication names
  - generic—the official name of the active ingredient used by all manufacturers; nonproprietary
  - trade—the brand or product name; proprietary; indicated by the symbol ®
- classification based on the body system affected by the medication
  - cardiovascular
  - respiratory
  - gastrointestinal
  - endocrine
- classification by the action of the medication in the body
  - anticoagulant
  - antihypertensive
  - antihyperlipidemic
  - antibiotic
  - anticonvulsant
  - hypnotic
  - antianxiety
  - antidepressant
  - antimanic
  - antipsychotic
  - classification by the disease the medication is intended to treat
  - osteoporosis
  - pain
  - dementia
- dispensing classification
  - prescription medications
    - Schedule I
      - high potential for abuse
      - no currently accepted medical use in the United States
      - examples include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (commonly known as ecstasy or molly), mescaline, and methaqualone

    - Schedule II
      - high potential for abuse
      - accepted medical use with restrictions
      - may lead to psychological or physical dependence
      - examples include amphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and hydrocodone
    - Schedule III
      - potential for abuse
      - accepted medical use
      - may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence
      - examples include anabolic steroids, buprenorphine, and ketamine
    - Schedule IV
      - low potential for abuse
      - accepted medical use
      - may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence
      - examples include benzodiazepines, modafinil, and tramadol
    - Schedule V
      - low potential for abuse
      - accepted medical use
      - may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence
      - examples include diphenoxylate, lacosamide, and pregabalin
    - Schedule VI in Virginia
      - have least potential for abuse
      - require a prescription

- over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including herbal medications
  - must have the HCP order to administer
  - may be purchased without a prescription
  - should be viewed in the same manner as prescription medications
  - can cause harm, produce unwanted effects and medication interactions are possible
- classes regulated by the Controlled Substances Act
  - narcotics
  - depressants
  - stimulants
  - hallucinogens
  - anabolic steroids.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the sources of medications? What is an example of a medication derived from each source?
- What are the characteristics of chemical, generic, and brand names of specified medications?
- How do religious beliefs influence medication selection and sources?
- What are the potential risks when combining certain pharmaceuticals and the consumption of or exposure to certain plants (e.g., fox glove, poinsettia)?