AHFS® Pharmacologic/Therapeutic Classification System©

The AHFS Pharmacologic/Therapeutic Classification System consists of several pipe-delimited ASCII

files. The primary table is [Link] which is the Classification. The remaining tables map the
Classification to various external data sets, i.e., AHFS Drug Information, RxNorm, and NDC.

Structure of the Classification System

[Link]

Field Name Data Type Description Example Data

AHFSClassID int A unique numeric identifier that represents a specific 16
therapeutic class (not null)
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 8:12.06.04
(PTC) number
AHFSClass6 varchar(6) The legacy AHFS PTC number represented without 081206
punctuation dividers as a 6-digit code (DO NOT use this
class; it is being provided solely for legacy systems in the
process of updating to AHFSClass8; for classes that have
expanded to 8-digits, the last two digits are truncated, and
therefore AHFSClass6 is not as granular as AHFSClass8)
AHFSClass8 varchar(8) The classic AHFS PTC number represented without the 08120604
punctuation dividers as an 8-digit code
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be First Generation
unique) Cephalosporins
AHFSClassText-fr-ca varchar(90) AHFS PTC in French Céphalosporines
de première
génération
AHFSClassParentID int Identifies the classification (AHFSClassID) that is one level 15
higher in the hierarchy from this classification ("0" if this
class is a root class)
AHFSClassHasSubclass bit Indicates that this class has subclasses (0 "no" or 1 "yes") 0
AHFSRootParentID int Identifies the classification (AHFSClassID) that is at the root 11
level of the hierarchy from this classification ("0" if this class
is the root class)
AHFSSeqNum int Indicates the sort order for classes on the same level of the 1
hierarchy with the same parent class
AHFSHierarchyLevel int Indicates what level in the hiearchy this class belongs 4
(currently there are 4 levels of hierarchy)
AHFSPrint bit Indicates whether this class is currently in use in the print 1
version of AHFS (0 "no" or 1 "yes")
AHFSPrintOrder int A non-permanent, unique number that represents the order in 16
which the classes are displayed in print
AHFSRetired Indicates that this classification has been retired (0 "no" or 1 0
"yes")
AHFSRetiredDate varchar(8) Provides the date when this class was retired 20040101
(YYYYMMDD)
AHFSAddDate varchar(8) Provides the date when this class was added (YYYYMMDD) 20040101
AHFSCxDate varchar(8) Provides the date when this class was changed 20040101
(YYYYMMDD)
AHFSCxDesc varchar(255) A text description of the change that occurred on the last New subclass
modified date
tblAHFSClass_Extended.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

AHFSClass8 varchar(8) The classic AHFS PTC number represented without the 08120604
punctuation dividers as an 8-digit code
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 8:12.06.04
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText_1 varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) at the top level of Anti-infective
the hierarchy; corresponds to the first 2 digits of the Agents
AHFSClass8 (ex: 08)
AHFSClassText_2 varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) at the top level of Antibacterials
the hierarchy; corresponds to the first 4 digits of the
AHFSClass8; may be NULL (ex: 0812)
AHFSClassText_3 varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) at the top level of Cephalosporins
the hierarchy; corresponds to the first 6 digits of the
AHFSClass8; may be NULL (ex: 081206)
AHFSClassText_4 varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) at the top level of First Generation
the hierarchy; corresponds to the 8 digits of the Cephalosporins
AHFSClass8; may be NULL (ex: 08120604)

[Link]

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

GenDrugName varchar(255) This is the short title of an AHFS Drug Information Cefazolin
monograph
UN varchar(6) This is the unique number (ID) of the AHFS Drug 382731
Information monograph; if there is no corresponding AHFS
monograph, this value will be ‘0’
AHFSClassID int This refers to the primary key AHFSClassID found in 16
tblAHFSClass
PrintClass bit This flag indicates whether the associated monograph in this 1
record is printed under this classification in the AHFS Drug
Information book or if this is a secondary classification for
this drug ("1" = print/primary class, "0" = secondary class)

[Link]

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

UN varchar(6) This is the unique number (ID) of the AHFS Drug 382731
Information monograph
Tradename varchar(255) Any drug term found in AHFS for this monograph Ancef
Type varchar(2) "gn" = Generic Name; "tn" = Trade Name; "syn" = tn
Synonym; “gen-a” = Generic Name Abbreviation; “inn” =
International Nonproprietary Name

mapAHFSClass_NDC.txt
Note: this file contains only the mapping of NDC codes to the primary AHFS Classification number.
Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data
NDC varchar(11) The normalized 11-digit National Drug Code for a 17478060901
dispensable drug
NDC_STR varchar(3000) The description of the drug that the NDC number represents tafluprost 0.015
(although we use NDC11, this description is actually of the MG/ML
NDC9 [i.e., it does not include package size] that comes Ophthalmic
from the semantic clinical drug [SCD], semantic branded Solution [Zioptan]
drug [SBD] description, BPCK or GPCK)
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 52:40.28
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be Prostaglandin
unique) Analogs

mapAHFSClass_NDC1.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

NDC varchar(11) The normalized 11-digit National Drug Code for a 17478060901
dispensable drug
NDC_STR varchar(3000) The description of the drug that the NDC number represents tafluprost 0.015
(although we use NDC11, this description is actually of the MG/ML
NDC9 [i.e., it does not include package size] that comes Ophthalmic
from the semantic clinical drug [SCD], semantic branded Solution [Zioptan]
drug [SBD] description, BPCK or GPCK)
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 52:40.28
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be Prostaglandin
unique) Analogs
PrintClass boolean Indicates whether this line item mapping is to the primary True
class (True) or a secondary class (False)

mapAHFSClass_NDC2.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

NDC varchar(11) The normalized 11-digit National Drug Code for a 17478060901
dispensable drug
NDC_STR varchar(3000) The description of the drug that the NDC number represents Zioptan 0.0015%
(although we use NDC11, this description is actually of the Ophthalmic
NDC9 [i.e., it does not include package size] that comes Solution
from the prescribable name (PSN) concept (which is the
preferred term for e-prescibing) for both generic
(SCD/GPCK) and branded (SBD/BPCK) drugs
IsBrand boolean If the term type of the NDC is SBD/BPCK, then this will be 1
“1”, otherwise “0”
GenericsAvailable boolean If the related SCD/GPCK for any given SBD/BPCK has 0
NDCs associated with it, then this will be “1” and if not, then
it will be “0”; if the concept is an SCD/GPCK, then this field
will be NULL
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 52:40.28
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be Prostaglandin
unique) Analogs
PrintClass boolean Indicates whether this line item mapping is to the primary True
class (True) or a secondary class (False)
FDAAppNo varchar(12) Identifies the NDA/ANDA/BLA for the associated NDC; NDA202514
can also be NULL

mapAHFSClass_NDC2_Obsolete.txt
Same format as NDC2 above, without the FDAAppNo field.

mapAHFSClass_SCDF.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

SCDF_CUI varchar(8) The RxNorm Semantic Clinical Drug Form concept unique 1244610
identifier
SCDF_STR varchar(3000) The RxNorm Semantic Clinical Drug Form description tafluprost
ophthalmic
solution
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 52:40.28
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be Prostaglandin
unique) Analogs

mapAHFSClass_DIN.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

HC_DIN varchar(8) The Drug Identification Number assigned by Health Canada 02231493
HC_BrandName varchar(200) The brand name associated with the DIN Xalatan
AHFSClassNum varchar(11) The classic AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification 52:40.28
(PTC) number
AHFSClassText varchar(255) The official AHFS PTC description (name) (may not be Prostaglandin
unique) Analogs

mapNDC_SCDF_UN.txt

Field Name Data Type Description Sample Data

NDC varchar(11) The normalized 11-digit National Drug Code for a 17478060901
dispensable drug
SCDF_CUI varchar(8) The RxNorm Semantic Clinical Drug Form concept unique 1244610
identifier
UN varchar(6) This is the unique number (ID) of the AHFS Drug 382731
Information monograph

Resources

Please refer to the following resources for additional information:

AHFS Pharmacologic/Therapeutic Classification System

[Link]

RxNorm
[Link]

NDC/National Drug Code

[Link]

Health Canada Drug Product Database

[Link]
html
Sample Expansion to the Fourth Tier

Some classes, like 16:00 (16000000) and 60:00 (60000000), only have a first tier, but others continue
down the hierarchy with more granularity the further they go.

Compare the class for celecoxib (28:08.04.08) with aspirin (28:08.04.24):

AHFS Class Number AHFS Class Description

28:00.00.00 Central Nervous System Agents
28:08.00.00 Analgesics and Antipyretics
28:08.04.00 Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents
28:08.04.08 Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibitors
28:08.04.24 Salicylates

Multiple Classes per Drug

Because the AHFS Classification is assigned to the active ingredient, combination products inherit all of
the classifications of the individual ingredients.

Examples of Multiple Classes (the most granular classification codes are listed with a text description of
all relevant classes in the hierarchy):
 1. Labetalol
a. 24:04.04.16 – Cardiovascular Drugs (24:00) » Cardiac Drugs (24:04) » Antiarrhythmic
Agents (24:04.04) » Class II Antiarrhythmics (24:04.04.16)
b. 24:08.04 – Cardiovascular Drugs » Hypotensive Agents » α-Adrenergic Blocking Agents
c. 24:08.08 – Cardiovascular Drugs » Hypotensive Agents » β-Adrenergic Blocking Agents
d. 24:24 – Cardiovascular Drugs » β-Adrenergic Blocking Agents
2. Colesevelam
a. 24:06.04 – Cardiovascular Drugs » Antilipemic Agents » Bile Acid Sequestrants
b. 68:20.92 – Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes » Antidiabetic Agents » Miscellaneous
Antidiabetic Agents
3. Gentamicin
a. 8:12.02 – Anti-infective Agents » Antibacterials » Aminoglycosides
b. 52:04.04 – Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT) Preparations » Anti-infectives »
Antibacterials
c. 84:04.04 – Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents » Anti-infectives » Antibacterials
4. Breo Ellipta® (fluticasone/vilanterol)
a. 68:04 – Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes » Adrenals
b. 12:12.08.12 – Autonomic Drugs » Sympathomimetic (Adrenergic) Agents » β-Adrenergic
Agonists » Selective β2-Adrenergic Agonists

Rev: 3/29/2018, 4/12/2019, 5/1/2019, 10/18/2019, 11/8/2019, 1/22/2020

AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification System

8:12.24.12 Glycylcyclines
4:00 Antihistamine Drugs
8:12.28 Antibacterials, Miscellaneous
4:04 First Generation Antihistamines
8:12.28.04 Aminocyclitols
4:04.04 Ethanolamine Derivatives
8:12.28.08 Bacitracins
4:04.08 Ethylenediamine Derivatives
8:12.28.12 Cyclic Lipopeptides
4:04.12 Phenothiazine Derivatives
8:12.28.16 Glycopeptides
4:04.16 Piperazine Derivatives
8:12.28.20 Lincomycins
4:04.20 Propylamine Derivatives
8:12.28.24 Oxazolidinones
4:04.92 Miscellaneous Derivatives
8:12.28.26 Pleuromutilins
4:08 Second Generation Antihistamines
8:12.28.28 Polymyxins
4:92 Other Antihistamines
8:12.28.30 Rifamycins
8:00 Anti-infective Agents 8:12.28.32 Streptogramins
8:08 Anthelmintics 8:12.28.92 Other Miscellaneous Antibacterials
8:12 Antibacterials 8:14 Antifungals
8:12.02 Aminoglycosides 8:14.04 Allylamines
8:12.06 Cephalosporins 8:14.08 Azoles
8:12.06.04 First Generation Cephalosporins 8:14.16 Echinocandins
8:12.06.08 Second Generation Cephalosporins 8:14.28 Polyenes
8:12.06.12 Third Generation Cephalosporins 8:14.32 Pyrimidines
8:12.06.16 Fourth Generation Cephalosporins 8:14.92 Antifungals, Miscellaneous
8:12.06.20 Fifth Generation Cephalosporins 8:16 Antimycobacterials
8:12.06.28 Siderophore Cephalosporins 8:16.04 Antituberculosis Agents
8:12.07 Miscellaneous beta-Lactams 8:16.92 Antimycobacterials, Miscellaneous
8:12.07.04 Carbacephems 8:18 Antivirals
8:12.07.08 Carbapenems 8:18.04 Adamantanes
8:12.07.12 Cephamycins 8:18.08 Antiretrovirals
8:12.07.16 Monobactams 8:18.08.04 HIV Entry and Fusion Inhibitors
8:12.08 Chloramphenicol 8:18.08.08 HIV Protease Inhibitors
8:12.12 Macrolides 8:18.08.12 HIV Integrase Inhibitors
8:12.12.04 Erythromycins 8:18.08.16 HIV Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase
8:12.12.12 Ketolides Inhibitors
8:12.12.92 Other Macrolides 8:18.08.20 HIV Nucleoside and Nucleotide Reverse
Penicillins Transcriptase Inhibitors
8:12.16
8:18.08.92 Antiretrovirals, Miscellaneous
8:12.16.04 Natural Penicillins
8:18.20 Interferons
8:12.16.08 Aminopenicillins
8:18.24 Monoclonal Antibodies
8:12.16.12 Penicillinase-resistant Penicillins
8:18.28 Neuraminidase Inhibitors
8:12.16.16 Extended-spectrum Penicillins
8:18.32 Nucleosides and Nucleotides
8:12.18 Quinolones
8:18.40 HCV Antivirals
8:12.20 Sulfonamides
8:18.40.04 HCV Cyclophilin Inhibitors
8:12.24 Tetracyclines
8:18.40.08 HCV Entry Inhibitors
8:12.24.04 Aminomethylcyclines
8:18.40.16 HCV Polymerase Inhibitors
8:12.24.08 Fluorocyclines
8:18.40.20 HCV Protease Inhibitors

© 2021, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Page 1 of 8

AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification System

Abacavir Acetylcholine
8:18.08.20 - HIV Nucleoside and Nucleotide Reverse 52:40.20 - Miotics - 382406
Acetylcysteine
Abaloparatide 92:12 - Antidotes - 382638
68:24.08 - Parathyroid Agents - 317036 48:24 - Mucolytic Agents - 382638
92:22 - Bone Anabolic Agents - 317036
Acitretin
Abametapir 84:92 - Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents,
84:04.12 - Scabicides and Pediculicides - 321014
Abatacept Aclidinium
92:36 - Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs - 306003 12:08.08 - Antimuscarinics/Antispasmodics - 313022
92:20 - Immunomodulatory Agents - 306003 Acrivastine
Abciximab 4:08 - Second Generation Antihistamines - 394040
20:12.18 - Platelet-aggregation Inhibitors - 395014 48:04.08 - Second Generation Antihistamines - 394040
Abemaciclib Acyclovir
10:00 - Antineoplastic Agents - 317058 8:18.32 - Nucleosides and Nucleotides - 381045
Abiraterone 52:04.20 - Antivirals - 379211
10:00 - Antineoplastic Agents - 311027 84:04.06 - Antivirals - 381036

AbobotulinumtoxinA Adalimumab
92:92 - Other Miscellaneous Therapeutic Agents - 92:36 - Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs - 302046
12:20.92 - Skeletal Muscle Relaxants, Miscellaneous - 56:92 - GI Drugs, Miscellaneous - 302046
92:20 - Immunomodulatory Agents - 302046
Acalabrutinib Adapalene
10:00 - Antineoplastic Agents - 317059 84:92 - Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents,
Acamprosate
28:92 - Central Nervous System Agents,
Adefovir
8:18.32 - Nucleosides and Nucleotides - 302036
Acarbose Adenosine
68:20.02 - alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors - 396015 24:04.04.24 - Class IV Antiarrhythmics - 304010
Acebutolol Adenovirus Vaccine Live Oral
24:24 - beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents - 387003 80:12 - Vaccines - 315016
12:16.08.08 - Selective beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents - Ado-Trastuzumab
10:00 - Antineoplastic Agents - 313041
24:04.04.16 - Class II Antiarrhythmics - 387003
24:08.92 - Hypotensive Agents, Miscellaneous - 387003 Aducanumab-avwa
Acesulfame 28:92 - Central Nervous System Agents,

40:24 - Salt and Sugar Substitutes - 379001

Afamelanotide
Acetaminophen 84:92 - Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents,
28:08.92 - Analgesics and Antipyretics, Miscellaneous -
92:56 - Protective Agents - 320004
28:32.92 - Antimigraine Agents, Miscellaneous - 381004
Afatinib
acetaZOLAMIDE 10:00 - Antineoplastic Agents - 314007
52:40.12 - Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors - 382756
Aflibercept
24:08.24.04 - Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors - 382756
52:92 - EENT Drugs, Miscellaneous - 312025
28:12.92 - Anticonvulsants, Miscellaneous - 382756
40:28.04 - Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors - 382756 Agalsidase Beta
44:00 - Enzymes - 303023
Acetic Acid
40:36 - Irrigating Solutions - 308023 Air Polymer-Type A
52:04.92 - Anti-infectives, Miscellaneous - 379217 36:68 - Roentgenographic and Other Imaging Agents -

Acetohydroxamic Acid
Albendazole
40:10 - Ammonia Detoxicants - 384050

© 2020, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Page 1 of 47

AHFS Classification Changes for 2020
The following table describes changes to the AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification© that went into effect
after the 2019 editon and will appear in print with the publication of the 2020 edition of AHFS Drug Information®
(February 1, 2020). This is only a partial listing of the AHFS PTC. The full classification system, along with a list of
drugs covered in AHFS DI and their corresponding classes, is available in the printed edition and is available
electronically in a separate file. Please contact the ASHP Marketing and Sales Office for licensing information at 301-
664-8757 or marketing@[Link].

AHFS Class Cx Date Change Description

8:12.06.28 - Siderophore Cephalosporins 20191114 New subclass

8:12.28.26 - Pleuromutilins 20190821 New subclass

28:32.12 - Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) 20190225 New subclass

Antagonists
32:00 - Nonhormonal Contraceptives 20200601 Name changed from Contraceptives (foams, devices) to
Nonhormonal Contraceptives
36:92 - Diagnostic Agents, Miscellaneous 20200123 New subclass

92:22 - Bone Anabolic Agents 20190410 New subclass

All material distributed as part of AHFS Drug Information is copyrighted. Reproduction, storage on a retrieval system, or
transmission of this material or any part thereof in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is prohibited.

Please contact ASHP eHealth Solutions Division at +1 (301) 664-8647 for more detailed information.

© Copyright, 2019, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2019, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Page 1 of 1

AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification System

hydrOXYzine (382866)
4:00 Antihistamine Drugs Ketotifen (399018)
Antihistamines General Statement (382920) Nizatidine (394030)
Olopatadine (399006)
4:04 First Generation Antihistamines
raNITIdine (384046)
Brompheniramine (382545)
Carbinoxamine (382883)
8:00 Anti-infective Agents
Chlorpheniramine (382543)
()
Clemastine (382542)
Cyproheptadine (382541) 8:08 Anthelmintics
diphenhydrAMINE (382539) Albendazole (397043)
Doxylamine (382537) Bithionol (379021)
Promethazine (382752) Diethylcarbamazine (379044)
Pyrilamine (379200) Ivermectin (304023)
Tripelennamine (382534) Mebendazole (382315)
Triprolidine (382533) Moxidectin (379122)
dimenhyDRINATE (382140) Praziquantel (384064)
hydrOXYzine (382866) Pyrantel (382820)
Meclizine (382548) Triclabendazole (319011)

4:04.04 Ethanolamine Derivatives 8:12 Antibacterials

Carbinoxamine (382883) ()
Clemastine (382542)
8:12.02 Aminoglycosides
diphenhydrAMINE (382539)
Amikacin (382661)
Doxylamine (382537)
Aminoglycosides General Statement (382929)
4:04.08 Ethylenediamine Derivatives Gentamicin (382664)
Pyrilamine (379200) Neomycin (382662)
Tripelennamine (382534) Plazomicin (318024)
Streptomycin (382665)
4:04.12 Phenothiazine Derivatives
Tobramycin (382660)
Promethazine (382752)
Paromomycin (382152)
4:04.16 Piperazine Derivatives
8:12.06 Cephalosporins
()
Cephalosporins General Statement (382930)
4:04.20 Propylamine Derivatives
8:12.06.04 First Generation Cephalosporins
Brompheniramine (382545)
Cefadroxil (382730)
Chlorpheniramine (382543)
ceFAZolin (382731)
Triprolidine (382533)
Cephalexin (382733)
4:04.92 Miscellaneous Derivatives
8:12.06.08 Second Generation Cephalosporins
Cyproheptadine (382541)
Cefaclor (382729)
4:08 Second Generation Antihistamines Cefprozil (398022)
Acrivastine (394040) Cefuroxime (384044)
Cetirizine (398026) cefoTEtan (386015)
Desloratadine (302004) cefOXitin (382737)
Fexofenadine (397035)
8:12.06.12 Third Generation Cephalosporins
Levocetirizine (307015)
Cefdinir (398001)
Loratadine (397038)
Cefditoren (301058)
Lodoxamide (394014)
Cefixime (390007)
4:92 Other Antihistamines Cefotaxime (382765)
Cimetidine (382256) Cefpodoxime (398024)
Emedastine (399007) cefTAZidime (386007)
Famotidine (387011) cefTAZidime and Avibactam Sodium (315028)

© 2021, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Page 1 of 33