(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)
Medication designations
Drugs are classified into one of 2 groups…
What are they?
- Over the counter (OTC), no prescription required
- Legend, rx required
What is a drug schedule created based on?
Based on abuse potential and/or dose
What does a non-scheduled/non-controlled drug mean?
No abuse potential
What is a schedule I drug?
All non-research use is illegal under federal law
NO CURRENTLY ACCEPTED MEDICAL USE and HIGH potential for abuse
ex: LSD, PCP, Marijuana
What is a schedule II drug?
No telephone Rx’s, no refills
Drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence
ex: opioids, amphetamines
What is a schedule III drug?
New Rx written after 6 months or 5 refills
Drugs w/ moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence
ex: codeine, anabolic steroids
What is a schedule IV drug?
Rx must be written after 6 months or 5 refills
DIFFERS from schedule III for illegal possession
Drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence
ex: alprazolam, propoxyphene
What is a schedule V drug?
Non opioid Rx, Dispensesed w/out Rx
Drugs with lower potential for abuse than schedule IV
What are the 3 new pregnancy risk categories?
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Females and Males of reproductive potential
Common Dosing Frequency Abbreviations
Dosing Frequency:
q. d =
b. i.d =
t. i.d =
q. i.d =
q. o.d=
q. “x”.h. (q12h) =
Days of the week =
q. d = every day
b. i.d = twice daily
t. i.d = three times daily
q. i.d = four times daily
q. o.d= every other day
q. “x”.h. (q12h) = every 12 hours
Days of the week = M, T, W, Th (R), F, Sa, S
Dosing frequency
q. a.m. =
q. p.m. =
q. h.s =
p. r.n =
a. c. =
p. c. =
q. a.m. = every morning
q. p.m. = every evening
q. h.s = every night at bedtime
p. r.n = as needed
a. c. = before meals
p. c. =after meals
Routes of administration; Eyes
o. d. =
o. s. =
o. u. =
o. d. = right eye
o. s. = left eye
o. u. = both eyes
Routes of administration; Ears
a. d.=
a. s.=
a. u. =
gtt =
a. d.= right ear
a. s.= left ear
a. u. = both ears
gtt = drops
Route abbreviations
p. o. =
s. l. =
i. v. =
i. m. =
s. q. =
p. r. =
NGT =
OGT =
p. o. = by mouth
s. l. = sublingually
i. v. = intravenously
i. m. = intramuscularly
s. q. = subcutaneously
p. r. = per rectum
NGT = naso-gastric tube
OGT = oro-gastric tube
What is the meaning for each abbreviation?
Calculating dosage
What is the dosage forumula?
D = doctor’s order is the name and amount of the medicine prescribed by the doctor
H = Supply on hand is the amount per item of the medication that is available in the pharmacy
Q = quantitiy is the form of the medication, such as tablet, capsule or mililiter
Dosage is the amount of medication to be given in one dose
