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Classification according to the main therapeutic use of a medicinal product<br />
Every medicinal product is classified according to its main therapeutic use. One product may be<br />
used for two or more equally important indications and the main therapeutic use may differ from<br />
species to species and from one country to another.<br />
When a product is used for more than one indication, an ATCvet code is assigned on the basis of<br />
its main therapeutic use, as decided by the ATCvet Working Group.<br />
Different pharmaceutical forms of the same substance<br />
One substance may be marketed in several pharmaceutical forms. Pharmaceutical forms for<br />
topical and systemic use are given separate ATCvet codes, e.g. oxytetracycline is given the<br />
following ATCvet codes for its different pharmaceutical forms:<br />
Oxytetracycline<br />
QD06AA03 for topical use<br />
QG01AA07 for gynecological use<br />
QG51AA01 for intrauterine use<br />
QJ01AA06 for systemic use<br />
QJ51AA06 for intramammary use<br />
QS01AA04 for ophthalmological use<br />
When there are several alternative classifications for a particular substance, explanations and<br />
cross-references are given in the guidelines.<br />
Drugs classified in the same 4th level group<br />
Drugs assigned to the same 4th level group should not be considered pharmacotherapeutically<br />
equivalent, since their adverse drug reaction profiles, modes of action and therapeutic effects<br />
may differ.<br />
Example:<br />
QM02AA<br />
QM02AA01<br />
QM02AA23<br />
Antinflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use<br />
phenylbutazone<br />
indometacin<br />
To avoid a situation of several 4th levels with only one single substance in each, new 4th levels<br />
are as a general rule only established when at least two substances with marketing authorisations<br />
fit in the group. In addition, a new 4th level should be regarded a benefit for drug utilization<br />
research.<br />
‘Other’ groups<br />
As a general rule, a new product not clearly belonging to any of the existing ATCvet 4th level<br />
groups will be classified in an ‘Other’ group (usually an X group), e.g. QR06AX - Other<br />
antihistamines for systemic use. New and innovative medicinal products will therefore often be<br />
classified in an X group and such groups could be established for only one single substance.<br />
Example:<br />
QR06AA<br />
QR06AA01<br />
QR06AB<br />
QR06AB01<br />
Aminoalkyl ethers<br />
bromazine<br />
Substituted alkylamines<br />
brompheniramine<br />
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