How Drugs Work

Question 1

Dosage Form

Answer 1

The means by which a drug is avaliable for use. This form is mostly chosen by which method will be the most effective. There are 3 types of ways drugs get into our body: Enternal (GI tract), Parenteral (Injected into tissues), and Topical (applied to skin or mucous membrane)

Question 2

Receptor

Answer 2

The cellular material directly involved in the action of the drug. (lock) They are located on the surfaces of the cell membrane and inside cells. Most receptors are found throughout the body, although some occur in only a few places.

Question 3

Drug Molecule

Answer 3

The key

Question 4

Site of action

Answer 4

The place where the drug causes an effect to occur

Question 5

Drugs are ____

Answer 5

Selective. Meaning that its action is specific to certain receptors and tissues they affect.

Question 6

How drugs Interact with site of action

Answer 6

Act through physical action
React Chemically (antacids)
Modify the metabolic activity of pathogens (antibiotics)
Change the osmolarity of blood and draw water out of the tissue and into the blood (diuretics)
Join with other chemicals to form a complex that is more easily excreted
Modify the biochemical or metabolic process of the body’s cells or enzyme systems

Question 7

Agonists

Answer 7

Activate receptors to accelerate or slow normal cellular function

Question 8

Antagonists

Answer 8

Binds with receptor to block action at receptor site.

Question 9

Extended stimulation of cells with an antagonist can cause…..

Answer 9

an increase to the number of the sensitivity receptors.

Question 10

Extended stimulation of cells with an agonist can cause…..

Answer 10

a reduction of the number or sensitivity of the receptor.

Question 11

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 11

Encompasses the many different components of the actions of the body on a drug.
Levels of the drug throughout the blood and tissues
Absorption of the drug throughout the body
Overall distribution
The reaction of the drugs with other drugs
Patient compliance
Life of the drug (bioavailability, half-life, bioequivalence, and elimination)

Question 12

Pharmacodynamics

Answer 12

The effects of the drug on the body.

Question 13

Absorption

Answer 13

Medications are made to get through natural body barriers, such as skin, stomach, instestines, blood-brain barrier, and other membranous tissues. The absorption is a factor that determines a drug’s effectiveness.

Question 14

Distribution

Answer 14

After a medication is absorbed, it is distibuted throughtout the body via the bloodstream into tissues, membranes, and ultimately organs. Distribution may not be equal throughout the body. Most drugs bind to blood proteins to some degree.

Question 15

Metabolism

Answer 15

Takes place in the liver, changes the chemical structure of the original drug. Different factors contribute to metabolism (age, gender, genetics, diet, and other chemicals ingested)

Question 16

First-Pass Effect

Answer 16

For some drugs, the dose travels to the liver, and part of it is metabolized before the drug has a chance to be distributed throughout the body
This first-pass effect lowers a drug’s bioavailability
First-pass drugs are given in larger doses

Question 17

Elimination

Answer 17

Last phase of a drug’s life in the body.
Can be excreted in many ways (kidneys, feces, exhalation, sweat glands, and breats milk)
Urination and bowel movements are the most common.

Question 18

Bioavaliability

Answer 18

The rate at which a drug makes it to its destination and becomes available to the site of action for which it is intended. Different drugs clear in different ways and a different times.

Question 19

Half-life

Answer 19

The amount of time it takes the body to break down and excrete 1/2 of the drug. An important factor in the creation of drugs bc it tells the manufacturer how long it takes the body to get rid of the drug

Question 20

Bioequivalence

Answer 20

The comparison between drugs either from different manufacturers or in the same company but from different batches of a drug. Generic drug manufacturers strive to achieve bioequivalence to compete with brand name manufacturers.

Question 21

Excipients

Answer 21

All medications are prepared with additives (coloring, flavoring, fillings, and preservatives). Some patients may be allergic or intolerant to these. Other types of excipients: Increase the dispersion of a drug once it reaches the intestines, or release the medication over a longer period

Question 22

Packing and storage requirements

Answer 22

All dosage forms must be approved by the FDA. They are packed according to the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure the effectiveness and shelf life of the drug. All meds have a package insert that describes the storage and stability of the drug.

Question 23

Classification of meds

Answer 23

Can be based on:
Pharmacology
Intent of use
Route of administration
Mechanism of action
Body System affected