Prescription (Rx) Medications

Prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) are the two main legal and regulatory categories of pharmaceutical drugs in the U.S. distribution system. Prescription (Rx) medications require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional and are dispensed by a pharmacist. They are intended to treat more serious or chronic conditions, are often more potent, and require professional supervision due to potential side effects or the complexity of the condition they treat.

Prescription (Rx) Drug Classes

• Cardiovascular

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)

• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Beta-blockers

• Calcium channel blockers

• Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)

• Antiarrhythmics

• Anticoagulants (warfarin, DOACs)

• Antiplatelets (clopidogrel)

• Central Nervous System (CNS) (psychiatric drugs)

• Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs)

• Antipsychotics (typical & atypical)

• Benzodiazepines

• Stimulants (ADHD medications)

• Antiepileptics (valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine)

• Pain-management analgesics (opioids)

• 4,5-Epoxymorphinans: Including morphine, codeine and oxycodone

• Phenylpiperidines: Including fentanyl, pethidine, and alfentanil

• Diphenylheptylamines: Including methadone and propoxyphene

• Morphinan derivatives: Including levorphanol and butorphanol

• Benzomorphans: Such as pentazocine

• Natural opiates: Alkaloids extracted directly from the opium poppy (i.e, morphine, codeine)

• Semi-synthetic: Chemically modified natural alkaloids (i.e., heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone)

• Synthetic: Entirely lab-manufactured compounds (i.e., fentanyl, methadone)

• Functional Activity: Classified as full agonists (i.e., morphine), partial agonists (i.e., buprenorphine), or antagonists (i.e., nolaxone, which blocks the receptor)

• Anti-Infectives

• Antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines)

• Antifungals (azoles, echinocandins)

• Antivirals (HIV, hepatitis, influenza)

• Antituberculars

• Endocrine/Metabolic

• Antidiabetics (insulin, sulfonylureas, metformin, GLP-1 agonists)

• Thyroid drugs (levothyroxine, methimazole)

• Corticosteroids

• Sex hormones (estrogens, androgens, progestins)

• Respiratory

• Bronchodilators (beta-agonists, anticholinergics)

• Inhaled corticosteroids

• Leukotriene antagonists

• Gastrointestinal

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

• H2 receptor antagonists

• Antiemetics

• Laxatives

• Antidiarrheals

• Oncology

• Alkylating agents

• Antimetabolites

• Topoisomerase inhibitors

• Kinase inhibitors (targeted therapies)

• Other

  -Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus)

  -Gout drugs (allopurinol, colchicine)

  -Osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates)

Read more here (FDA): Click HERE to access website.

Read more here (NIH SEED): Click HERE to access website.

Read more here (congress.gov): Click HERE to access website.