LEC - 4 - Dosage Levels... Flashcards
The amount of drug taken at one time, which can be expressed as the weight of the drug (e.g., 250 mg), volume of drug solution (e.g., 10 ml, 2 drops), the number of dosage forms (e.g., 1 capsule, 1 suppository), or some other quantity (e.g., 2 puffs).
Dosage
Dosage can be expressed as:
weight of the drug (e.g., 250 mg)
volume of drug solution (e.g., 10 ml, 2 drops)
number of dosage forms (e.g., 1 capsule, 1 suppository)
some other quantity (e.g., 2 puffs)
(e.g., 250 mg)
weight of the drug (e.g., 250 mg)
(e.g., 10 ml, 2 drops)
volume of drug solution
(e.g., 1 capsule, 1 suppository)
number of dosage forms
(e.g., 2 puffs)
some other quantity
The frequency at which drug dosages are given. Examples include 2.5 ml twice a day, one tablet three times a day, or one injection every four weeks.
Dosage Regimen
Is the amount of a drug that produces the desired response.
Effective Dose
Dosage Levels:
Minimum Dose
Maximum Dose
Loading Dose
Maintenance Dose
Toxic Dose
Lethal Dose
The smallest dose of a medicine or drug that will produce a therapeutic effect.
Minimum Dose
The largest dose of a medicine or drug that is consistent with safety.
Maximum Dose
A higher dose than that usually used for treatment, given when the drug effects are needed quickly.
Loading Dose
The amount of medication administered to maintain a desired level of the medication in the blood.
Maintenance Dose
The amount of a drug that causes untoward symptoms in the majority of persons.
Toxic Dose
The quantity of an agent that will or may be sufficient to cause death.
Lethal Dose
Common Responses to medication include:
Desired Effect
Side Effect
Adverse Effect
Allergic Response
Anaphylactic Response
Idiosyncratic Response
Paradoxical Reaction
When the drug does what it is supposed to do, achieving the therapeutic goal.
Desired Effect
Example: Taking aspirin to reduce temperature.
Desired Effect
Mild but annoying responses to medication.
Side Effect
Example: Stomach pain caused by paracetamol/acetaminophen.
Side Effect
More severe symptoms or problems that arise due to the medication.
Adverse Effect
Example: Severe gastric bleeding from an ulcer caused by aspirin.
Adverse Effect
An antigen-antibody reaction where the body develops hives, rashes, itching, or swelling of the skin.
Allergic Response
Example: A rash or shortness of breath occasionally seen in patients allergic to aspirin.
Allergic Response
A severe form of allergic reaction that is life-threatening.
Anaphylactic Response
Example: Severe shortness of breath, possibly leading to breathing cessation or cardiac collapse.
Anaphylactic Response
Strange, unique, or unpredicted reactions.
Idiosyncratic Response
Example: Blood in the urine caused by aspirin.
Idiosyncratic Response
Reactions that are the opposite of what would be expected.
Paradoxical Reaction
Example: An analgesic (pain reliever) causes an increase in pain, or sedatives prescribed for adults cause hyperactivity in children.
Paradoxical Reaction
