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A ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM
A03 DRUGS FOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

A major part of the preparations in this group are combined preparations. Preparations containing e.g. analgesics and antispasmodics could be classified either in this group or in N02 - Analgesics. Combinations of psycholeptics and antispasmodics could be classified in A03 or in N05 - Psycholeptics etc. The main indication for the use of the combination will, together with the relative effect of the active components, decide the classification. In the treatment of pain caused by spasms, the spasmolytic component must be judged as more important than the analgesic component. Accordingly, analgesic/antispasmodic combinations should be classified in A03 if the main effect of the preparation is the antispasmodic action.
Combined preparations are classified in:
A03C - Antispasmodics in combination with psycholeptics
A03D - Antispasmodics in combination with analgesics
A03E - Antispasmodics and anticholinergics in combination with other drugs
Antispasmodics, which are used specifically in the urogenital tractus, are classified in G04BD - Drugs for urinary frequency and incontinence.

The DDD for the substances is usually equal for different routes of administration (oral, parenteral or rectal) of the same compound and is based on the oral dose.


A03A DRUGS FOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

Drugs for constipation are classified in A06.
Semisynthetic derivatives such as butylscopolamine, are classified in A03B - Belladonna and derivatives, plain.

A03B BELLADONNA AND DERIVATIVES, PLAIN
A03C ANTISPASMODICS IN COMBINATION WITH PSYCHOLEPTICS

Antispasmodics in combination with psycholeptics and other drugs (excl. analgesics) are classified in this group.
Antispasmodics in combination with both psycholeptics and analgesics are classified in A03EA.
The classification at the 5th levels is based on the antispasmodic component. At each 5th level several psycholeptics may occur. When classifying such combined products, it is necessary to look at the main indication and the composition, to see if the preparation should be classified in A03 or in N05 - Psycholeptics (see comments under A03).

A03D ANTISPASMODICS IN COMBINATION WITH ANALGESICS

This group is completely parallel to A03C.
The classification at the 5th levels is based on the antispasmodic component. At each 5th level several analgesics may occur. Antispasmodics in combination with analgesics and other drugs (excl. psycholeptics) are classified in this group.
When classifying these combination products, it is necessary to look at the indications and the composition to see if the preparation should be classified in A03 or in N02 - Analgesics.
Opioid analgesics in combination with antispasmodics, see N02AG - Opioids in combination with antispasmodics. Ethylmorphine is not regarded as a narcotic in this context.
Antispasmodics in combination with psycholeptics and analgesics are classified in A03EA.

A03E ANTISPASMODICS AND ANTICHOLINERGICS IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER DRUGS

General comments, see A03.
This group comprises all combined preparations with antispasmodics and anticholinergics, which are not covered by A03C or A03D.

A03F PROPULSIVES

Last updated: 2024-01-26