Chapter 1 : Introduction to Pharmacology Flashcards
Pharmacology
“Study of Medicine”
understanding how drugs are administered, where they travel through the body, the actual responses produced
Explain the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology
includes sciences such as A&P, microbiology, biology, chemistry, pathophysiology
need broad knowledge base of the other sciences to learn pharmacology well
Anatomy and physiology
the study body structures and how these structures work
Microbiology
study of all living organisms that are too small to be visible to the naked eye
Biology
study of living organisms and their vital processes
Chemistry
study of matter including their chemical processes
Pathophysiology
study of abnormal changes in body functions
MOA of a Drug
how a drug produces its physiologic effect on the body
Pharmacotherapy
application of drugs for treating disease and alleviating pain
Therapeutics
focus of disease prevention, treatment, and pain
Classification of Drugs
1) Therapeutic Classification
2) Pharmacologic Classification
Therapeutic Classification
(Example)
therapeutic usefulness; physiological change induced by the drug
ie. drug classification: anticoagulant
usefulness: prevents blood clot
Pharmacologic Classification
(Example)
Mechanism of action on a molecular level; more specific than Therapeutic Classification
represent MOA
i.e. Pharmacologic Classification: Calcium channel blocker
MOA: blocks heart calcium channels
i.e. Vasodilator
MOA: dilates peripheral blood vessels
*usually involves a drug interacting with some protein such as enzyme or receptor
Basic Drug Name Types
1) Chemical
2) Generic
3) Trade
Chemical Names
nomenclature assigned using established guidelines by the IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
drug= ONE CHEMICAL NAME
usually long, difficult to pronounce
common but few used: sodium gluconate, sodium chloride
Generic Names
assigned the the U.S. adopted name council
starts with a lower case letter
many organizations use generic names to describe medications
NOT BIOSIMILAR: uses generic name +4 lowercase letters
Trade Names
aka: proprietary, product, brand
Capitalized letter
assigned by the company marketing the drug
Proprietary (ownership): drug developer has exclusive rights to name and market a drug for 17 years after a New Drug Application submitted
Trade Name Drugs vs generic equivalents
Both: 100% identical ACTIVE ingredients
Differ: INACTIVE ingredients
-slight difference of inactive ingredients can affect the absorption of drug or other factors
-differ in appearance
-formulation/ inert ingredients
Trade-Name drugs
-assigned by marketing drug
-high cost
Generic equivalents
-assigned by US adopted name council
-low cost
Therefore, bioavailability (ability of drug to reach its target and produce its effect) is compromised; discrepancy
Major differences between prescription and OTC
Prescription
-written order by someone with legal authority to write prescriptions
-maximize therapy
-specific diagnosis
-monitor AE
-proper usage explained
OTC
-convenience
-do not need to see HCP
-risk of interaction w/ prescribed
-drug toxicity
-less cost
-masks underlying disease
-delaying early treatment
Bioavailability
physiologic ability of a drug to reach its targeted organ and produce its effect
anything that affects the absorption of a drug, affects the bioavailability
Nurse’s Role and responsibilities in drug administrations
safe and effective drug administration to improve quality of life; maximize therapeutic effects minimize risks
