How drugs act and safe prescribing Flashcards
what does a drug indication mean?
a symptom suggests that a certain medication is necessary
what does a drug contraindication mean?
a specific situation where a drug, procedure or surgery should not be used as it may be harmful to the person
what does a drug relative contraindication mean?
acceptable if benefit outweighs risk
what does an drug absolute contraindication mean?
life threatening - do not take
what three things determine which drug is used on a patient?
Efficacy/ease of use
Safety
Patient access
in dose schedule/interval when is the drug administered again?
administered when previous dose reaches half life until steady state is reached.
what is an overdose?
an excessive or dangerous dose of drug
what is drug-drug interaction?
multiple drugs prescribed simultaneously, this can have a beneficial or adverse effect.
if there is a major drug interaction what do you do?
avoid -> risk outweighs gain
if there is a moderate drug interaction what do you do?
use only in special circumstances
if there is a minor drug interaction what do you do?
consider an alternative or institute a monitoring plan
what is pharmacodynamics mechanism of drug-drug interaction?
effect of multiple drugs combine to produce an adverse effect.
what is pharmacokinetics mechanism of drug-drug interaction?
one drug affects the delivery of another drug to its target.
what is pharmaceutical mechanism of drug-drug interaction?
incompatibility of ingredients
what should you do if a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding?
avoid prescribing, use smallest effective dose
learn this checklist before prescribing
