I. ANTI-INFECTIVES
Disclaimer: This is only a generalized classification based on the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) indications for pharmaceutical usage. Physicians reserve the right to prescribe medications as they see fit within their field of practice.
II. ANALGESICS
ACTION: Act upon several (known and some unknown) processes to alleviate pain. Some known processes include the reduction of inflammation and action upon the transmission of pain.
III. BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART
ACTION: Work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure and relieve stress on the heart. Some medications may act specifically on the rhythm of the heart.
IV. BLOOD MODIFIERS
ACTION: Enhance or inhibit the process of clotting or thinning of the blood.
V. HORMONES
ACTION: Replace, stimulate, or inhibit normal hormonal activity.
VI MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL
ACTION: These medications may work by a variety of ways to increase, decrease, or eliminate selective nerve transmissions.
VII. RESPIRATORY
ACTION: Dilate, constrict, or inhibition of the respiratory cells.
VIII. STOMACH AND DIGESTION
ACTION: Increase or decrease the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and reduce or neutralize acidity of the stomach. Most cholesterol lowering drugs work with the digestive process to decrease the absorption or formation of cholesterol.
IX. OPHTHALMICS
ACTION: Reduce inflammation, treat infection, reduce intra-ocular pressure. Some ophthalmic products provide lubrication of the eyes.
X. VITAMINS AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
Organic substances found in most foods that are essential, in small amounts, for the regulation of the metabolism and normal growth and functioning of the body. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) are published and revised periodically by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council—National Academy of Sciences.
XI. HERBAL REMEDIES
For thousands of years herbs have been used for their flavoring in the preparation of food and for their medicinal and healing properties. In the United States, there is no comprehensive system in place for the approval of traditional herbal claims.