Glossary¶

NDC (National Drug Code): The FDA's 10-digit identifier printed on drug packages, in three segments: labeler, product and package, e.g. 0069-3150-83. The segment widths vary (4-4-2, 5-3-2, 5-4-1), and an 11-digit 5-4-2 form pads one segment with a zero. The product NDC (first two segments) identifies the drug and strength; the package segment identifies the pack size.
RxCUI (RxNorm Concept Unique Identifier): The ID of a drug concept in NLM's RxNorm vocabulary, e.g. 83367 (atorvastatin, the ingredient) or 617312 (atorvastatin 10 MG Oral Tablet, a product). Different levels mean different things: ingredients have no NDCs, products do.
SPL (Structured Product Label): The FDA-approved label for a drug product (the package insert), published on DailyMed. Prescription labels use numbered sections: 4 Contraindications, 5 Warnings and Precautions, 6 Adverse Reactions, 7 Drug Interactions. OTC "Drug Facts" labels don't.
Set ID: The stable UUID of an SPL across its versions (setid). Each new version of the label keeps the set ID and increases spl_version.
Generic name: The active ingredient's nonproprietary name, e.g. atorvastatin calcium.
Brand name: The proprietary name a manufacturer markets it under, e.g. Lipitor.

Drug class types¶

EPC (Established Pharmacologic Class): The clinically meaningful class, e.g. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor.
MoA (Mechanism of Action): How it works at the molecular level, e.g. Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors.
PE (Physiologic Effect): The effect on the body, e.g. Decreased Cholesterol.
CS (Chemical Structure): The chemical family, e.g. Benzodiazepines.
Rate limit: How many requests your key may make per minute. See Errors and rate limits.