INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY Flashcards
Define pharmacology
the branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects and modes of action of drugs
Define Drug
A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested, or otherwise introduced to the body.
Define Pharmacokinetics
How the body deals with a a drug
Define Pharmacodynamics
The effect of a drug on the body
Define therapeutic effect
A consequence of any medical treatment, the results of which are deemed to be desirable and beneficial.
Define side effect
Secondary effect of a drug
Define drug interaction
when the administration of one drug, before or after, effects the results of one or both drugs
Define drug allergy
immunological reaction to a drug
Define drug abuse
inappropriate intake of a substance either continually or periodically
Define drug dependence
a persons reliance on, or need to take a drug/substance
Define illicit drug
unregulated, illegally sold drugs
Define dose
a dose of a drug that achieves the desired effect without causing harmful side effects
Define bioavailability
the drug has reached circulation and is available for all the tissues
Define tolerance
a decreasing response to repetitive drug doses
Define agonist
a drug that initiates the receptor to activate the biological reaction
Define antagonist
a drug that blocks the receptors without activating them
Define receptor
a functional macro-molecule in a cell which a drug binds to, to produce its effects
Drug molecules must exert…
some chemical influence on cells to produce a pharmacological response
All that drugs can do is:
mimic and block
Drugs cannot make the body…
do anything it is not already capable of doing
Define enteral
involving the gastrointestinal tract
What are the pros and cons of oral administration
+convenient, safe -inappropriate for client nausea and vomiting, can cause gastrointestinal irritation
What are the pros and cons or sublingual administration
+rapid absorption into blood stream, higher potency than oral - drug must be fully dissolved under the tongue, if swallowed drug may be inactive
What are the pros and cons of rectal administration
+can be used when drug has bad taste - invasive
Define parental administration
administered or occurring elsewhere in the body than the mouth and alimentary canal
What are the pros and cons of subcutaneous administration
+fast onset -must involve sterile technique, only small doses, slower absorption than IM
What are the pros and cons of intramuscular administration
+can administer large volumes of a drug, rapid absorption -must involve sterile technique
Define intravenous
administered directly to the blood stream
Define inhalation
administered directly to the lungs
What are the 4 major processes of pharmacokinetics?
ADME. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination
Name 5 factors that can effect pharmacokinetics
drug solubility, small intestine surface area, molecular size, blood flow, renal problems
What is the first pass effect?
Describes the initial metabolism of a drug by an organ/body system that reduces the drug concentration before bioavailability.
