1.2 Review of Pharmacology Terminology

Question 1

Pharmacology

Answer 1

• Study of drugs that alter functions of living organisms

Question 2

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics/Pharmacotherapeutics

Answer 2

Pharmacokinetics - Entry and movement of drug molecules through the body to site of action, metabolism, and excretion

Pharmacodynamics - Specific action on target cell and subsequent reactions

Pharmacotherapeutics - Use of drugs to prevent, diagnose and treat symptoms, and disease processes

Question 3

Pharmacology Terms

Answer 3

Half Life - Time required for medication to decrease by 50%

Peak/Trough - Highest/Lowest concentration of a drug in the patients blood stream. Drawn 30 min to an hour before/after drug administration

Serum Drug Level - Amount of drug in the blood at a particular time

Question 4

ED50/LD50

Answer 4

ED50 - Dose required to produce a therapeutic effect in 50% of the population. (Standard starting dose)

LD50 - Point at which dose would be fatal in 50% of the population

Question 5

Therapeutic Range/Index

Answer 5

Therapeutic Range - Range between MEC and Toxic Concentration

Therapeutic Index - Ratio of effective dose to lethal dose (indicator for drug’s margin of safety)

Question 6

Loading/Maintenance Dose

Answer 6

Loading Dose - Used to achieve plateau more quickly

Maintenance Dose - Dose for when therapeutic level is achieved

Question 7

Physical Dependence and Tolerance

Answer 7

Physical Dependence - Develops during long-term use of certain drugs

Tolerance - Results, larger dose needed to produce the same response

Question 8

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) and Toxic Concentration

Answer 8

MEC - Level below which therapeutic effects will not occur

Toxic Concentration - Point at which toxic effects can occur

Question 9

IMPORTANT FACT

Answer 9

• Drugs do not create new responses in the body, they modify the body’s response