7 Drug Categories (2024)

Physicians have long recognized that different types of drugs affect people differently. Nonetheless, drugs may be categorized or classified according to certain shared symptomatologies or effects. The DRE categorization process is premised on these long-standing, medically accepted facts. DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis. Drugs from each of these categories can affect a person's central nervous system and impair a person's normal faculties, including a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

(1) Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

CNS depressants slow down the operations of the brain and the body. Examples of CNS depressants include alcohol, barbiturates, anti-anxiety tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Librium, Xanax, Prozac, and Thorazine), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), Rohypnol, and many other anti-depressants (e.g., Zoloft, Paxil).

(2) CNS Stimulants

CNS stimulants accelerate the heart rate and elevate the blood pressure and "speed-up," or over-stimulate, the body. Examples of CNS stimulants include cocaine, "crack" cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine ("crank").

(3) Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens cause the user to perceive things differently than they actually are. Examples include LSD, peyote, psilocybin and MDMA (Ecstasy).

(4) Dissociative Anesthetics

Dissociative anestheticsinclude drugs that inhibit pain by cutting off or dissociating the brain's perception of the pain. PCP, its analogs, and dextromethoraphan are examples of dissociative anesthetics.

(5) Narcotic Analgesics

Narcotic analgesics relieve pain, induce euphoria, and create mood changes in the user. Examples of narcotic analgesics include opium, codeine, heroin, demerol, darvon, morphine, methadone, Vicodin, and oxycontin.

(6) Inhalants

Inhalants include a wide variety of breathable substances that produce mind-altering results and effects. Examples of inhalants include Toluene, plastic cement, paint, gasoline, paint thinners, hair sprays, and various anesthetic gases.

(7) Cannabis

Cannabis is the scientific name for marijuana. The active ingredient in cannabis is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This category includes cannabinoids and synthetics like Dronabinol.

7 Drug Categories (2024)

FAQs

7 Drug Categories? ›

The DRE categorization process is premised on these long-standing, medically accepted facts. DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, CNS Stimulants, Hallucinogens, Phencyclidine (PCP) and its analogs, Narcotic Analgesics, Inhalants, and Cannabis.

What are the 7 different classifications of medicines? ›

The DRE categorization process is premised on these long-standing, medically accepted facts. DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, CNS Stimulants, Hallucinogens, Phencyclidine (PCP) and its analogs, Narcotic Analgesics, Inhalants, and Cannabis.

What are the 6 classification of drugs or substances? ›

When considering only their chemical makeup, there are six main classifications of drugs: alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, barbiturates, and hallucinogens. Out of all the thousands of drugs that are out there, both prescription and illegal, each one can be categorized under one of these six headings.

What are the 5 classes of drugs? ›

Here are the five main categories and some information about each:
  • Central nervous system depressants.
  • Central nervous system stimulants.
  • Opiates and Opiodes.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Marijuana.

What are the ABC categories of drugs? ›

The three categories of drugs are Class A, Class B and Class C:
  • heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and LSD are Class A drugs.
  • speed, cannabis, ketamine, mephedrone and some amphetamines are Class B drugs.
  • anabolic steroids, GHB and some tranquilisers are Class C drugs.

What are the 8 types of medicine? ›

Types of medicines
  • Liquid. The active part of the medicine is combined with a liquid to make it easier to take or better absorbed. ...
  • Tablet. The active ingredient is combined with another substance and pressed into a round or oval solid shape. ...
  • Capsules. ...
  • Topical medicines. ...
  • Suppositories. ...
  • Drops. ...
  • Inhalers. ...
  • Injections.

How many classes of drugs are there? ›

Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug's acceptable medical use and the drug's abuse or dependency potential.

How do you categorize drugs? ›

Many people classify drugs by how they impact the mind and body. Some drugs have a tendency to make a user active and energetic, while others make an individual feel relaxed and calm. These types of substances might be described as “uppers” and “downers,” respectively.

What is drug classification in detail? ›

Drugs are classified based on chemical structure, drug action, pharmacologic effect, molecular target, and therapeutic parameters. One drug could be included in more than one group. The pharmacological classification includes drugs which treat a particular condition such as antacids, antiseptics etc.

What are 10 examples of drugs? ›

Commonly Used Drugs Charts
  • Alcohol.
  • Ayahuasca.
  • Cannabis (Marijuana/Pot/Weed)
  • Central Nervous System Depressants (Benzos)
  • Cocaine (co*ke/Crack)
  • Fentanyl.
  • GHB.
  • Hallucinogens.
Sep 19, 2023

Is Tylenol 3 a narcotic? ›

TYLENOL® with Codeine contains codeine. Codeine in combination with acetaminophen, is a Schedule III controlled substance. As an opioid, TYLENOL® with Codeine tablets expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse (see DRUG ABUSE and DEPENDENCE).

What is a Class 5 narcotic? ›

Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes.

What is a class 1 drug? ›

Schedule 1 drugs have no accepted medical use in the United States, and using schedule 1 drugs can put a person at a high risk for developing a substance use disorder. Some familiar drugs assigned a schedule 1 class include: Ecstasy. Heroin. LSD.

What are the 20 classes of drugs? ›

USP Drug Classification
AnalgesicsAntipsychoticsHormonal agents (pituitary)
AnestheticsAntispasticity agentsHormonal agents (prostaglandins)
Anti-addiction agentsAntiviralsHormonal agents (sex hormones)
AntibacterialsAnxiolyticsHormonal agents (thyroid)
AnticonvulsantsBipolar agentsHormone suppressant (adrenal)
11 more rows
Nov 26, 2023

What drug class is gabapentin? ›

Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. Gabapentin treats seizures by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Gabapentin relieves the pain of PHN by changing the way the body senses pain. It is not known exactly how gabapentin works to treat restless legs syndrome.

What drugs are Class A list? ›

Class A drugs include:
  • cocaine.
  • crack cocaine.
  • ecstasy ( MDMA )
  • heroin.
  • LSD.
  • magic mushrooms.
  • methadone.
  • methamphetamine (crystal meth)

What is a Class 7 drug? ›

(7) Cannabis

This category includes cannabinoids and synthetics like Dronabinol.

What are the 3 main categories of medicines? ›

Legal categories of medication
  • General sales list.
  • Pharmacy only.
  • Prescription only medication.
  • Controlled drugs.
  • Herbal medicines.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5910

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.