Basis For Pharmacological Experiments and Intro Pharmacology Flashcards
What is pharmacology?
The science that deals with the study of drugs - discovery of new ones, actions of existing ones. It involves the design and conduct of scientific experiments to achieve this.
What is the aim of Pharmacology?
To determine the therapeutic agents suitable for human/animal use (what), their mechanisms of action (how), site of activity (where) and toxicity.
What is pharmacokinetics?
It deals with the absorption, distribution and elimination of drugs. Basically, the fate of the drug as a result of its presence in the body.
What is pharmacodynamics?
The effects of drugs on the body
Pre-clinical experiments
The use of animals for pharmacological experiments
Clinical experiments
Use of human patients for pharmacological experiments
In-vivo experiments
‘Within the living’
The use of whole, intact animals in-situ in experiments
In-vitro experiments
‘Within the glass’
The use of isolated organs or tissues in controlled experiments (like test tubes and petri dishes) outside the body
Why are animals used in pharmacological experiments as tools?
Similarities in structures to human structures
Which alternatives are used for animals in pharmacological experiments?
Computer Models
Cell Cultures
In-silico experiments
Pharmacological experiments performed using computers or computer simulations
Apparatus used in Pharmacological experiments
Eddy’s hot plate Microscopes Centrifuge Student’s organ bath Convulsiometer Lagendroff Assembly Spectrophotometer
Eddy’s hot plate
To test the effectiveness of analgesics by reaction to thermal pain
Convulsiometer
To screen anti-convulsants
Lagendroff Assembly
For studying drug effects on isolated mammalian heart
Spectrophotometer
To measure the amount of light absorbed by a sample
When did pharmacology actually begin?
The late 18th or early 19th century when scientific experiments were designed
Sources of drugs
Plants Animals Minerals Microorganisms Chemical syntheses
What is a side effect?
A secondary effect caused by a drug when it is used at the therapeutic drug level. It may be harmful or beneficial but is not the intended effect for which the drug is used
Divisions of pharmacology
Clinical pharmacology Neuropharmacology Systemic pharmacology Chemotherapy Pharmacogenetics Pharmacoepidemiology Pharmacogenomics
Ways through which drugs are named
Codes - at investigatory level
Chemical name - because the drug is a chemical
Non-proprietary name - Found in pharmacopoeia
Proprietary/Trademark/Trade name - Given my manufacturer
