Drugs And Medication

Medications can be usually classified in various ways. There are different types of drugs and medications, and different ways to classify them. One type of drug classification is prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Prescription Drugs requires a doctor’s prescription before they can be purchased. Over-the-counter drugs do not require a physician’s prescription before they can be purchased legally. This distinction implies the fact that prescription drugs are highly specialized and should never be taken casually. Over-the-counter drugs are safe to use in most cases, barring deliberate misuse or abuse. The actual distinction between prescription and over-the-counter drugs is governed by legislation.

The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system (ATC) is a more elaborate and widely used classification system for medications. The ATC technically classifies list of all drugs under 5 levels of groups according to the organ or biological system which they act on as well as their therapeutic, pharmacological and chemical properties. There are five levels of classifications of drugs based on these properties.

To identify prescription drugs or to buy over-the-counter drugs, remember that your doctor is your best information source. Never take any drugs and medications if you are not 100% sure what it is you are taking.