Introduction to pharmacology Flashcards
What is pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on living organisms/systems. It looks at the interaction of drugs with living organisms, including what they do (effect) and how they do it (mechanism).
Define the term ‘drug’
A drug is a chemical substance (other than a nutrient) that produces a biological effect when administered to a living organism.
What is the origin of the word ‘pharmacology’?
The word ‘pharmacology’ comes from the Greek words ‘pharmakon’ meaning ‘drug’ and ‘logos’ meaning ‘science’.
What is pharmacodynamics?
Pharmacodynamics is the study of mechanisms by which drugs act to produce molecular, biochemical, and physiological changes in the body. It includes dose-effect relationships, factors affecting drug effects, dosage, drug toxicities, and drug-receptor interactions.
What is pharmacotherapeutics?
Pharmacotherapeutics is the application of pharmacological and disease information to prevent and treat diseases. It includes the selection of the most appropriate drug, dosage, and duration of treatment, accounting for specific features of patients.
What are adverse drug reactions and drug allergies?
Adverse drug reactions are any unwanted effects of a drug occurring in normal doses. Drug allergies are a type of adverse drug reaction that includes broad-spectrum hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from mild skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
What is pharmacokinetics?
Pharmacokinetics is the study of the effect of living systems/body on drugs. It includes the study of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) of drugs, as well as the onset and duration of action of drugs.
How are drugs classified?
Prescription: Requires a written or electronic practitioner’s order.
Non-prescription (OTC): Can be sold without a prescription.
Body system: E.g., CNS, GIT.
Therapeutic use: E.g., Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial.
Illegal drugs.
What factors influence drug effects?
Factors influencing drug effects include age, body weight, metabolic rate, illness, psychological aspects (e.g., placebo effect), tolerance/dependence, and cumulative effect.
What are the natural sources of drugs?
Minerals: E.g., Kaolin, chalk, iron (ferrous sulphate), magnesium sulphate.
Microorganisms: E.g., Penicillin, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol.
What are the main sources of drugs?
Plants: E.g., Morphine, digoxin, senna.
Animals: E.g., Heparin, thyroxin.
Minerals: E.g., Kaolin, chalk, iron (ferrous sulphate), magnesium sulphate.
Microorganisms: E.g., Penicillin, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol.
Synthetic: E.g., Aspirin, paracetamol, thiazide diuretics.
Semi-synthetic: E.g., Human insulin, ethinyl oestradiol.
What are synthetic and semi-synthetic sources of drugs?
Semi-synthetic: The nucleus of the drug obtained from a natural source is retained, but the chemical structure is altered. E.g., Human insulin, ethinyl oestradiol.
Synthetic: Prepared synthetically by chemical processes with knowledge of phytochemical investigation. E.g., Aspirin, paracetamol, thiazide diuretics.
What are the three types of drug names?
Chemical name
Proprietary/Trade name
International non-proprietary (INN) name
What is a proprietary/trade name?
The proprietary/trade name is the name under which a drug is sold by a manufacturer. It is owned by the drug company, and the same drug can have several different brand names, which can complicate drug identification and create confusion.
What is the chemical name of a drug?
The chemical name conveys information on the chemical structure of the drug, indicating the arrangement of atoms/groups. It is often long and complicated to write, use, and remember.
