Chemical Nature

What is Chemical Nature?

A drug's chemical nature can be described in writing or in a drawing that shows its chemical structure or formula. You should include the chemical classification (amine, steroid, gas, peptide, etc.) and list other characteristics of the chemical.

Drugs can be classified based on structure, use, and action. Try to locate all three (3) classifications.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency sets US drug schedules. Read this DEA information for a general explanation of the drug schedule.

Chemical Structure

Reference
Zolpidem Tartrate 2D Structure. In: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Open Chemistry Database, CID=57487. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/57487. Accessed June 4, 2018.

Search Tips

Try searching:

name of the drug AND "chemical composition"
name of the drug AND "chemical formula"
name of drug AND "chemical structure"
name of the drug AND chem*

For example:

Search 1: acetaminophen AND "chemical composition"
Search 2: acetaminophen AND "chemical formula"
Search 3: acetaminophen AND "chemical structure"
Search 4: acetaminophen AND chem*

PubChem: Open Chemistry Database
Use the Compound Search function find chemical information about biological properties. From the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which is part of the National Library of Medicine.
DrugBank
Detailed drug (i.e. chemical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical) data and comprehensive drug target (i.e. sequence, structure, and pathway) information provided by University of Alberta and The Metabolomics Innovation Centre.
ChemIDplus
This dictionary of over 400,000 chemicals (names, synonyms, and structures) includes links to National Library of Medicine and other databases and resources,

Scheduling Information

Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations
Searchable version of the DEA's Orange Book.
DEA Orange Book [PDF version]
The publication Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (the List, commonly known as the Orange Book) identifies drug products approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).
Drug Information Portal - US National Library of Medicine
Information available for 68,655 prescription drugs, herbs, supplements, and illegal drugs.

Open Access Manuals

Merck Manual PROFESSIONAL Drug Information
Written by medical professionals for medical professionals.
PDR: Prescribers' Digital Reference
Provides healthcare professionals access to important drug information.
StatPearls @National Library of Medicine
Use the small SEARCH THIS BOOK bar to find peer-reviewed continuing education clinical content.

Library Search Tools (Research Databases)

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Edited encyclopedia articles.

Google

If unable to find the chemical nature in any other sources, use Google, but limit to government information to ensure accuracy and credibility. Select "Images".

Limit by including this phrase: site:.gov [site colon dot gov]

name of the drug AND "chemical formula" site:.gov
name of drug AND "chemical structure" site:.gov