Intro to Pharmacology Flashcards
Why should we study pharmacology?
Vet tech must understand why a drug was prescribed and how this will affect the patient
Chemical name describes…
Chemical composition
Generic name is…
- The common, concise name.
- Usually listed as active ingredient
Trade name is…
The name of a product from a specific company
Generic equivalent is…
After the patent expires on a drug, companies other than the original developer may produce that drug.
- Theoretically, the generic equivalent is equal to the OG drug in effectiveness. Although, occasionally, differences in manufacturing produce difference in bioavailability.
T/F: Patients on chronic medication should be kept on the same brand long term
True!
If this isn’t possible, O must be informed of brand changes
Dose is…
The amount of drug given to a patient at one treatment
Dosage is…
How the drug is to be administered as the total plan
Sugar coated tablets help improve ___ and it’s important to prevent ___ during administration.
Enteric coated tablets protect the drug from ___ acid or protect ___ from drug. These tablets should not be ___.
Blister packs & foils protect the drug from ___, moisture, or ___. Do not remove them from containers until right before ___.
- Taste
- Melting
- Stomach
- Stomach
- Split
- Air
- Light
- Administration
For injectables, always read the label!! Why is this? (2)
- Determining the appropriate route (IM, SQ, IV). Routes are not always interchangeable!
- Packing
- Single dose vial: use entire contents for one dose.
- Multidose vial: clean rubber top with alcohol
- Ampules: use special filter tip needles
Drug label must contain (7)
- Name (generic & trade)
- Concentration & quantity
- Name & address of manufacturer
- Manufacturer’s control or lot number
- Expiration date of drug
- Withdrawal time (if warranted)
- Controlled substance status of drug (“)
Package inserts
- Most up to date info regarding specific product
- Extra label use will not be provided
Formularies
- Excellent sources of info, anew one should be purchased every 3-4 years
- Careful of “digest versions” with minimal details
PDR (physician’s desk reference)
Ideal source of info as it relates to humans. However, animal testing info & side effect info may be applicable
What does a package insert include? (11)
- Registered trade name, generic name, controlled substance notation
- Description of composition statement
- Clinical pharmacology, actions, or mode of action
- Indications & usage
- Contraindications
- Precautions
- Warnings
- OD info
- Dosage administration
- Storage
- How supplied
Expiration date is the date before which a drug meets all ___ & after which the drug can no longer be ___. These are assigned based on the ___ of the drug.
Drugs that are reconstituted have an expiration date ___ reconstitution, and another ___.
- Specifications
- Used
- Stability
- Before
- Afterwards
Veterinary drugs vs Human drugs
- Vet drugs: Those approved only for use in animals.
- Human: Approved by the FDA and guidelines for the use in food-producing animals is provided in the Compliance Policy Guide.
What is the veterinarian/client/patient relationship?
This means the vet needs to have seen that patient for that problem within appropriate amount of time (no longer than a year). This must be established before any medication is prescribed to the patient.
What is “extra-label use”?
Any use of a drug that is different than what is described on the label
- Use in a species not listed on label
- Use for indication (disease) not listed
- Use of a different dose, route, or freq
- Deviation from label withdrawal time
What are reasons a vet may use extra-label use? (4)
- No approved drug exists that specifically meets the animal need
- A careful medical Dx has been made by a DVM
- The treated animal is carefully identified & an extended withdrawal time is assigned
- Prescribed drug is properly labeled according to guidelines
Withdrawal times (witholding times)
Time period after a drug is discontinued when it’s safe to use a product from that animal for human use
- Failure to meet could result in fines &/or prison
Six rights of the patient!
The right…
1. Patient
2. Drug
3. Dose
4. Route
5. Time & frequency
6. Documentation
