(2) Intro to Pharmacology (Izard) Flashcards
Define: Pro-drug
Converted to the active drug by biologic proceses — inside the body
Define: Pharmacotherapeutics
A field of study of the appropriate use of medications to effectively treat or prevent disease and manage symptoms
Define: Pharmacogenomics
A field of study of genetic impact on drug metabolic or handling processes which can affect individual responses to drugs
Define: Pharmacoeconomics
A field of study utilizing scientific and economic methods to evaluate and compare value between therapies
Define: Pharmacoepidemiology
A field of study that applies epidemiological principles and methods to study the uses and effects of medications on large populations
What are the six key aspects of a drug you should know?
- Drug name and class
- Mechanism of action
- Indications/uses
- Toxicities
- Monitoring
- Drug interations
Each drug has approx. 3 names. What kind of names are they?
- Chemical name
- Generic name
- Trade/brand name
Which is the most potent?
Least?

B is the most potent
D is the least

Which is the MOST responsive?
Least?

A,C and D are the most responsive
B is the least responsive (produces approx. 50% response rate)

Classification of Chemical Interactions
Give examples of:
Additive
Synergistic
Potentiation
Antagonism (name the 4 types)
Additive (2 + 5 =5 )
Synergistic (3 + 3 = 9)
Potentiation (2 + 0 = 4)
Antagonism (functional, chemical, dispositional, receptor)
What is functional antagonism?
2 agonists interact with different receptors to produce opposite effects
What is chemical antagonism?
Drug counters the effect of another resulting in decreased effect
What is dispositional antagonism?
Metabolism of a chemical is altered and the concentratioin and/or duration of the chemical are diminished
What is receptor antagonism?
This is specific for the receptor configuration and specificity
What are examples of non-deleterious side effects?
Hair loss
Itching
Swelling
Hair growth
What are examples of deleterious toxic effects?
Pharmacological (anticancer therapies)
Pathological (Isoniazid –> hepatic damage)
Genotoxic (Thalidomide –> phocomelia)
What does pharmaceutical equivalence mean?
SAME ingredients, dosage form/route, strength/concentration
What are pharmaceutical alternatives?
Same drug but different salts/complexes or different dosage forms/strengths
What is therapeutic equivalence?
Must be pharmaceutically-equivalent AND expected to have the same
Therapeutic (clinical) effect
Saftey profile
What is bioequivalence?
Similar rate and extent of absorption
80%-125% of reference product
FDA code letter rating system : A/B Codes for Therapeutic equivalence
What are “A” Codes?
Drug products that are considered to be therapeutically equivalent to other pharmaceutically equivalent products
FDA code letter rating system : A/B Codes for Therapeutic equivalence
What are “B” Codes?
Drug products that FDA, at this time, is considered not to be therapeutically equivalent to other pharmaceutically equivalent products
Common Weight Abbreviations
gm or g =
mg =
mcg =
mEq =
lb =
kg =
gm or g = grams
mg = milligrams (1/1000th of a gram)
mcg = micrograms (1/1000th of a milligram)
mEq = milliequivalents (1/1000th of an equivalent)
lb = pounds
kg = kilograms (1000 gms) 1kg= 2.2 lbs
Common volume abbreviations
tsp =
tbsp =
oz =
ml/cc =
quart =
pint =
L =
G =
tsp = teaspoon (5ml)
tbsp = tablespoon (15 ml; or 3 tsp)
oz = ounce, 30 ml (2tbsps or 6 tsp)
ml/cc = milliliter/cubic centimeter (1/1000th liter)
quart = 946 ml (2 pints = 1 quart)
pint = 473 ml (16oz = 1 pint)
L = liter, 1000ml
G = gallon, 3.79 L (4 quarts = 1 G or 8 pints)








