Introduction Flashcards
Define pharmacology
the study of drugs and their interaction with living systems
Define a drug
a substance used in the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease
Define pharmacokinetics
Define therapeutics
use of drugs in the prevention and treatment of disease
Define toxicology
adverse effect of the drug and the study of poisons - detection, prevention and treatment of poisoning
Sources of drugs
plant based animal mineral micro-organisms human synthetic (most drugs are synthesised)
Routes of Administration - broad divisions
- enteral (oral)
- parenteral (not oral)
- local
Advantages of enteral (oral) medications
- safest
- most convenient
- usually cheapest
- can be self administered
- non-invasive
Disadvantages of enteral (oral) medications
- slow absorption and onset of action
- irregularities in absorption
- some drugs may be destroyed by gastric juices
- irritant / unpalatable - may lead to vomiting
- can’t be given to unconscious or uncooperative patients
- patients may forget to take tablets
- some drugs undergo extensive first pass metabolism in liver
What are enteric coated tablets?
tablets coated in substances designed to minimise the disadvantages of oral medications, and to prolong the duration of action
What are the advantages of parenteral drug administration?
- action is more rapid and predictable
- can be employed in unconscious or uncooperative patients
- irritations to the GIT avoided
- can be used in patients with vomiting or those unable to swallow
- useful in emergencies
Disadvantages of parenteral drug administration
- asepsis must be maintained
- may be painful and/or case anxiety
- usually more expensive
- generally less save and less convenient
- injury to nerve and other tissue may occur
Types of parenteral routes
- injection
- inhalation
- transdermal
- transmucosal
Types of injections
- intradermal (between layers of skin)
- subcutaneous (below skin)
- intramuscular
- intravenous
- intraperitoneal - into body cavities
- intrathecal - into the spine
- intra-articular - into joints
- intra-arterial
- intramedullary (bone marrow)
advantages of inhalation
- instantaneously absorbed
- avoids metabolism in the lover
- absorbs and excretes though the lungs
disadvantages of inhalation
- irritant gases may enhance pulmonary secretions
advantages of transdermal administration
- duration of action is prolonged
- patient compliance is good
- simple self administration
- can be creams or patches
advantages of transmucosal (absorbed across mucous membrane - sublingual, nasal, rectal
- rapid absorption
- avoids liver metabolism
- sublingual drugs can be spat out to avoid unwanted side effects
disadvantages or transmucosal route
- buccal ulceration can occur
Nurse responsibilites for drug administration
- know the 6 rights
- allergy history
- monitor for adverse effects
- follow legal requirements and local policy directives
What factors impact the absorption time of a drug?
- disintegration and dissolution time
- drug formulation (eg using diluents, starch)
- particle size
- lipid solubility
- area and vascularity of absorbing surface
- gastrointestinal motility
- presence of food
- metabolism
- diseases