Drug Distribution

Question 1

What is distribution?

Answer 1

The movement of a drug from the blood stream into the tissues upon which it will exert its effects.

Question 2

How does an absorbed drug pass to the cells it will react with?

Answer 2

Blood Plasma —> ISF —> TCF —> ICF

Question 3

What affects drug distribution once the drug is in the bloodstream

Answer 3

1 - plasma proteins may temporarily bind to the drug
2 - whether the drug is lipophilic or hydrophilic
3 - tissue perfusion

Question 4

What are receptors?

Answer 4

Protein molecules found within the cell which receive chemical signals from the drug and respond to them. Not all body cells have receptor sites for all drugs.

Question 5

Which 2 types of drug affect the receptors?

Answer 5

Agonist and Antagonist

Question 6

What is an agonist?

Answer 6

Stimulates and activates the receptor and mimics the action of the body’s own chemicals eg. domitor

Question 7

What is an antagonist?

Answer 7

Combines with receptor but fails to initiate a response or stops the agonist from taking further effect eg. antisedan