Drug Administration

Question 1

Drugs administered via rectal route

Answer 1

aspirin, theophylline, chlorpromazine, barbituarites

Question 2

Drug given via vaginal route

Answer 2

clotrimazole (antifungal)

Question 3

Drugs given via transdermal patches & a limitation of patches

Answer 3

scopalamine, nicotine, opioids

patches are limited by how quickly the drug can penetrate the skin

Question 4

Phase 1 of Clinical Testing:

1. what is tested?
2. on whom is it tested?

Answer 4

1. effects of the drug as function of dosage, NOT efficacy
2. healthy volunteers, small # (25-50)

Exception: drugs with significant toxicity, can be tested on patients i.e. AIDS or cancer

Question 5

Phase 2 of Clinical Testing:

1. what is tested?
2. on whom is it tested?

Answer 5

1. efficacy and safety are determined
2. for the first time on patients, small # (100-200)
3. single blind design used

Question 6

Phase 3 of Clinical Testing:

1. what is tested?
2. on whom is it tested?

Answer 6

1. efficacy, safety & toxicities are studied
2. much larger number of patients (sometimes 1000s)
3. double blind design used

Question 7

Phase 4 of Clinical Testing:

1. what is tested?
2. on whom is it tested?

Answer 7

1. monitoring the safety of the new drug under actual conditions of use
2. very large # of patients
3. post-marketing surveillance is very important!

Question 8

Drugs that need therapeutic drug management & what is it?

Answer 8

Drugs that work best over a small range. Below this range the drug isn’t effective & above this is toxic

1. Cardiac Drugs: digoxin, quinidine, procainamide
2. Antibiotics: aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin)
3. Antiepileptics: phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid, carbamazepine, ethosuximide,
4. Psychiatric Drugs: lithium, desipramine

Question 9

Alkaloids. What is it & name examples

Answer 9

water insoluble, nitrogen containing basic drugs. When combined with acids will form water soluble salt

Ex) Morphine, codine, atropine, pilocarpine, quinine, scopolamine

Question 10

Glycosides

Answer 10

digoxin, strophanthin