Intro to Pharmacology Flashcards
Pharmacology
The study of the Biological effects of drugs (chemicals) that are introduced into the body to cause some sort of change
Pharmacokinetics
What happens to drugs in the body?
(4 components)
Pharmacodynamics
-Whatd drugs do to the body
-Mechanism of action
-Effects on the body
Chemical Name
Long and complex
Used in Research
Ex. N-acetyl-para-aminophenol
Generic Name
-Official name of drug
-Only 1 generic name
-Usually more complicated than trade name
-Lower case
-Has to be on every bottle
-Ex. Acetaminophen
-Exams will have generic name
Trade Name
-Brand name, give by pharmaceutical company
-Easier to remember and pronounce
-Ex. Tylenol
-Upper case
Prototype
-One drug, typically first, that represents a group or class of medication
-New drugs in class are compared to the prototype (effectiveness and Side effects)
-Ex. Tylenol was the prototype of acetaminophen
-Ex 2. Advil was the prototype of Ibuprofen
Therapeutic effects
Intended effect of the drug
Ex. The therapeutic effects of acetaminophen is pain relief and lower temp
Side effects
Unintended and unavoidable effects
Ex. The side effects of acetaminophen is Upset tummy
Toxicities
Harmful effects
Adverse effects
-Unexpected reaction
-Dangerous reaction
-Used interchangeably with Side effects
Allergic Reaction
-Unexpected
-may be dangerous
-Involves Immune system
What do you need to know for each medication
- Name (generic and trade)
- Classification (drug class)
- MOA
- Indications
- Common/serious adverse effts
- Contraindications
- Nursing Indication
Classification (drug class)
Given to describe a group of medications that work similarly (usually by MOA, physiological effect, or chemical structure)
Ex. BP meds class is B-blocker or ace inhibitor
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
-How the drug works in the body
-What the med does in your body to get intended effect or indication
Indications
Why are we giving this med? What is it used to treat?o
Contraindications
Reason that people shouldn’t take this particular med
Ex. Liver failure pt pt shouldn’t take acetaminophen
Nursing indication
-What does the nurse need to worry about with this med?
-What should be assesssed prior to giving this med/
-Are there any serious interactions?
-Is it a CYP drug?
Ex. Need to know pts BP before giving BP meds or can you give 2 particular drugs together?
How are new drugs approved?
FDA- Food and drug administration
-Chemical identified, undergoes strict scientific tests (only 5 in 100,000 will eventually be marketed drugs)
What are the stages of a clinical trail?
- Preclinical trial
- Phase I studies
- Phase II studies
- Phase III studies
- Phase IV studies
Preclinical trials
Tested on lab animals for therapeutic and adverse effects
Phase I studies
Healthy human volunteers are used to test the drug
Phase II studies
Drug is tried on patients who have the disease that the drug is designed to treat
(After strong evidence of success in this phase can move to Phase III)
Phase III studies
-The drug is used in a vast clinical market.
-Prescribers informed of adverse effects and monitor their patients closely.
-Unexpected responses may occur and the drug may be withdrawn from the market
Phase IV studies
-Continued evaluation by the FDA
-Postmarket of the drug
-Available to everybody
-Not in signed clinical trial
-If severe adverse reactions emerge manufacturer request black box warning or adding serious effects
Schedule 1 controlled substances
-Not approved for medical use, no reason to prescribe
-Heroin, LSD
-No therapeutic effect
Schedule 2 controlled substances
-Used medically, but HIGH potential for abuse
-No refills, need new prescriptions every time
-Narcotics (opioids), amphetamines (Hydromorphine (Dilaudid), oxymoron, oxy cotton)
Schedule 3 controlled substances
-Less potential for abuse
-Non barbiturate sedatives, non-amphetamines, stimulants (lortab, vicodin)
Schedule 4 controlled substances
-Some potential for abuse
-Primary sedatives, anti anxiety meds (Xanax, valium, ambien)
Schedule 5 controlled substances
-Low potential for abuse
-Medications containing small amounts of certain narcotics or stimulants, usually antitussives (cough suppressants with some codeine, ephedrine containing medications)
Over the counter meds
-What he take for regular aches, pains, tummy aches, etc.
-Over 80 classes of OTC meds
-Antihistamines, sleep aids, analgesics, antacids, laxatives
-Consumers able to diagnose own condition and monitor effectiveness easily
-Low risk of side effects and low abuse potential
-Some OTC medications are available only behind pharmacy counter due to abuse possibility (Sudafed, narcan)
Dietary and Herbal Supplements
-Can only claim affect on body structure or function (not medical condition)
-Dietary supplement health education act- can’t claim medical treatment and purity standards
Ex. St Johns Wort- affects emotional balance (not treats depression)
-Label restrictions on dietary and herbals
Adverse interactions between drugs and herbals
-Some herbals can increase toxicity of prescription meds or cause decreased therapeutic effects
-Teaching points: when getting medical history ask specifically about other medications, supplements, OTC, herbals, vitamins, etc.
-Ex. Ginko Biboba suppress platelet aggregation
Teratogens
Substances that can cause congenital malformations in developing fetus
-Alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, and nicotine
Category A teratogens
Safe for the fetus
Category B teratogens
Lack of studies to show benefit/risk
Category C teratogens
No studies, animal studies possible risk, talk to OB
Category D teratogens
Drugs that have possible risk to the fetus
-Discuss with OB/GYN about risks and benefits
Category X teratogens
-Drugs that have KNOWN RISK and CANNOT BE outweighed by possible benefits
-Usually have to be on form of birth control to take
-Ex. Thalidomide, many chemotherapy agents, Isotretinoin/ retin A (Accutane- for acne)
Pharmacogenomics
-Study of how GENES affect a persons response to drugs
-Combines pharmacology and genomics to develop effective, safe medications and doses that will be tailored to a persons genetic makeup
