Pharmacodynamics

Question 1

pharmacodynamics

Answer 1

the study of how a drug affects our bodies; once a drug binds to its target, what is the overall effect and what does the drug do at its target site

Question 2

agonist

Answer 2

drugs that bind to the target receptor & change receptor activity to produce a typical physiological response

Question 3

antagonist

Answer 3

drugs that bind to the active site (has affinity) but does not activate the receptor at all (does not produce a response)

Question 4

potency

Answer 4

the strength of a drug at a particular dosage/concentration; amount of the drug required to produce a particular effect

–> binding affinity for the protein
–> high = only small amount needed to achieve max effect
–> low = higher dosage needed to achieve max effect

Question 5

efficacy

Answer 5

the maximum effect that can be achieved by a drug; the effect the drug has on the receptor once it is bound

–> determined by binding affinity
–> clinical effect on the protein
–> how well drug can act an agonist (promotes normal function of protein) or antagonist (silence protein and prevents function)