A classification of drug substances according to their mechanism of action.
Different classification systems for therapeutic agents exist. The most commonly used one is the ATC Code (ATC: Anatomy, Therapeutic properties, Chemical, pharmacological properties). Here, an alternative classification system (TCAT: Target-Chemistry-Anatomy-Therapy) is proposed which refers to the molecular mechanism of action or rather, target. The main subgroups of targets are: enzymes; substrates, metabolies, proteins; receptors; ion channels; transporter molecules and systems; nucleic acids, ribosomes; physicochemical mechanisms; antigen-antibody reactions; unknown targets. This target-oriented approach may be particularly useful in teaching advanced medicinal chemistry.
Imming
P
P
Fachbereich Pharmazie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany. imming@pharmazie.uni-halle.de
Buss
T
T
Dailey
L A
LA
Meyer
A
A
Morck
H
H
Ramadan
M
M
Rogosch
T
T
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification*; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations