intro to pharmacology and therapeutics

Question 1

What is pharmacology?

Answer 1

Study of drug action

Question 2

What is clinical pharmacology?

Answer 2

The application of pharmacological principles in patient care

Question 3

What are therapeutics?

Answer 3

The attempted remediation of a health problem usually following a diagnosis

Question 4

What is the BNF?

Answer 4

Online and analogue form

Analogue-
Index- meds are in back alphabetically listed
Interactions- w other medications in back
Sections- ordered by drug classes

Sheffield teaching hospitals have a net that link to BNF and shows recommended

Question 5

What can a dentist prescribe?

Answer 5

Anything privately
Dental practitioners formulary only on the NHS
In hospital- can prescribe anything on NHS

Question 6

What things are on the dental practitioners list?

Answer 6

Antiseptics
Antibacterial drugs
Anti fungal drugs
Antiviral drugs
Artificial saliva
Oral ulceration drugs
Analgesics
Anxiety management 
Vitamins
Fluoride
Antihistamines
Decongestants

Question 7

What is the GDCs position on prescribing privately?

Answer 7

Criminal offence to prescribe other than needs of patients
Appropriate assessment of condition
Prescribe within experience and competence
Keep accurate records

Question 8

Why might you prescribe privately?

Answer 8

Codeine- pain not resolving after standard analgesics

Midazolam- IV sedation- FP10PDC form used

Choice of antibiotic not on DPF

Question 9

What are classifications of medicines?

Answer 9

General Sales List- over the counter

Pharmacy only meds- eg. Co-codamol 8/500

Prescription only meds- eg. Amoxicillin, co-codamol 30/500

Controlled drug- schedules 1-5

Question 10

What are controlled drugs?

Answer 10

Schedule 1- no medicinal use eg. LSD

Schedule 2- full controlled requirements but some medicinal use eg. Cocaine (vasoconstrictor)

Schedule 3- subject to written requirements but no custody requirements/keep register eg. Midazolam

Schedule 4- benzodiazepines other than midaz/temaz and Z-drugs- no CD requirements

Schedule 5- due to strength, exempt from CD requirements eg. Oramorph

Question 11

What would you put on a prescription?

Answer 11

Patient details
What is being prescribed
Signing/date/name in capitals
Practice details (stamp)

1. Drug
2. Dose
3. Form
4. Route
5. Frequency
6. Duration

Scribble out space underneath to avoid forgery

Question 12

What are some shorthand’s?

Answer 12

IV- intravenous
IM- intramuscular
PO- oral 
SC- subcutaneous 
PR- rectum
PV- vagina
Top- topical
M/W- mouthwash

PRN- as required 
Stat- immediately 
QDS- 4x a day 
TDS- 3x a day
BD- 2x a day
nocte- at night

Question 13

What to do with an adverse drug reaction?

Answer 13

Inform MHRA about serious ARs to medicines marked w black triangle in BNF

Report to National Reporting and Learning System

Inform patients GP, the pharmacy that supplied, medicines manufacturer, local controlled drugs accountable officer