Pharmacology Flashcards
How do ion channels ensure only the target ion passes through
Molecular selectivity filter – specific substrates
Define antagonist
Antagonist: blocks or reduces agonist mediated responses
Define placebo
Any intentionally ineffective medical treatment, such as a sugar pill, used to replace medication.
Still gives a physiological as well as psychological response
Describe the effect of ‘induction’ i.e. brussel sprouts
Induction = shortens action of drugs
Define therapeutics
use of drugs to diagnose, prevent and treat illness (and/or pregnancy) i.e. the medical use of drugs
Define drug
a chemical substance of known structure, which when administered to a living organism produces a biological effect.
What is the relationship between the systemic circulation and the tissue called?
i.e.
Circulation – high conc = Greater movement to tissue
As tissue concentration increased = Movement back to blood
dynamic equilibrium
What are the 4 common protein target types
Enzymes Carrier molecules (transporters / pumps) Ion channels Receptors
Describe orthosteric binding
A different substance to the intended ligand competes for the target binding site by binding orthosterically via the same binding site. This blocks access for the intended ligand.
Described how a Ca2+ channel blocker would work (and overall effect)
Physically blocks the channel to prevent the ions from passing through e.g. Vasodilator – smooth muscle Reduced myocardial contraction force Slows SA node Slows AV node conduction
Describe phase 2 of metabolism
- Adding of endogenous substance- (covalent bonding)
- Making it water soluble
- Inactivates pharmacologically
- Converting the drug/toxin by covalently joining to other molecules
Finish the sentence:
Basic drugs e.g. propranolol
———- ionised in basic solutions (high pH)
———- ionised in acidic solutions (low pH)
Basic drugs e.g. propranolol
Less ionised in basic solutions (high pH)
Become ionised in acidic solutions (low pH)
What are the 4 basic principles of pharmokinetics
- Absorption
- Distribution
- Metabolism
- Excretion
In the duodenum (pH 8.5) could an acidic drug pass into the blood plasma?
Acidic drug = ionised so NO
define enzyme
A protein (or protein-based molecule) that acts as a catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction. Acts on specific substances known as substrates
Does this illustrate well, or poorly perfused tissues?
Well perfused tissues
Which one of the 3 injection site types is generally the best, and why?
Intravenous (I.V.)
–most direct, bypasses absorption barriers
–rapid, high concentrations
–bioavailability ~100%
–avoids 1st pass metabolism
Intramuscular (I.M) –dependant on blood flow
Subcutaneous (S.C.) –more slowly absorbed, again dependant on blood flow
In the duodenum (pH 8.5) could a basic drug pass into the blood plasma?
Yes, as unionised
Basic drug becomes unionised –> Less lipophilic –> Becomes partitioned (trapped)
State 4 Transepithelial routes: AKA enteral routes of drug absorption
- Oral
- Buccal
- Inhalation
- Rectal Suppository
How does drug ionisation affect their permeability?
Affects drug permeation i.e. their solubility by changing lipophillicity, as Ionised molecules cant diffuse across membranes
True or False: Drugs have complete specificity for their actions
No drug acts with complete specificity
What does this graph infer
The Atenolol is a ‘selective’ β1 receptor antagonist
As reduced potency
Define pharmacokinetics
The way the body effects the drug- How the drug is handled.
What are the 3 major types of membrane protein
transporter enzyme receptor
Define affinity
the relative attraction of a drug molecule to the target receptor
(which may or may not produce a response i.e. antagonist)
What is an EC50
The effective concentration of the drug in question- Concentration needed to give 50% maximal response
State 3 factors that can affect distribution
- Protein binding
- Blood flow
- Membrane permeation \ Tissue solubility
describe the Quaternary protein structure
2 or more polypeptides combine to form functional protein
Why can protein binding be dangerous in terms of pharmacology?
Drugs can compete at plasma protein binding site
may displace each other →drug-drug interaction
e.g. warfarin & aspirin have same binding site of serum albumin and could lead to uncontrollable bleeding if both taken together
Broadly, how does a drug produce an effect
the drug molecule binds to a target molecule, changing the properties to either activate, deactivate or modulate the target molecule to produce an effect
Why is drug ionisation an issue?
And how does this occur?
Affects the way the drug behaves i.e. its actions
Due to pH changes in the body
i.e. propanolol in +ve state, and aspirin in -ve state
What are the beneficial affects of having poorly perfused tissues?
- Slower increase
- But- acts as a ‘sink’, effectively removing drug for circulation
- Until equilibrium point is reached
What is important to consider in biliary excretion?
Gut bacteria can convert drug to original form via metabolising enzymes.
Drug can be resorbed across intestinal wall and re- circulate in blood.
Then can be metabolised in liver again and re-secreted into bile
Define pharmacodynamics
Effect(s) of a drug on the body- How it works!
Define allosteric
Allosteric: binds to different region but still affects the binding site
Define ligand
Ligand: a molecule that binds to the receptor e.g. ACh
describe the tertiary protein structure
α-helices and β-sheets re-folded to form a globular molecule.
Would ions move up or down the electrochemical gradient preferentially
Down
Give an example of an instrinsic situation of poor perfusion
The blood brain barrier
L-DOPA can’t cross BBB due to its charge, so transported with L Amino Acid Transporter instead