This type of categorisation of drugs is from a medical perspective and categorises them by the pathology they are used to treat. Drug classes that are defined by their therapeutic use (the pathology they are intended to treat) include:
* Analgesics
* Antibiotic
* Anticancer
* Anticoagulant
* Antidepressant
* Antidiabetic
* Antiepileptic
* Antipsychotic
* Antispasmodic
* Antiviral
* Cardiovascular
* Depressant
* Sedative
* Stimulant