Pharmacology of the Nervous System Flashcards
What is Pharmacology?
chemical substance that interacts
with a specific target within a
biological system to produce a
physiologic effect
What are the 3 questions to ask about Pharmacology?
Where is the effect produced?
What is the target for the drug?
What is the response produced after interaction with this target?
Outline the 4 main drug targets.
Receptors
Enzymes
Transport proteins
Ion channels
What is the target for atorvastatin?
Enzymes
What is the target for amlodipine?
Ion channel
What is the target for salbutamol?
Receptor
What is the target for citalopram?
Transport protein
Give the two actions drugs can have on targets.
Enhance activation
Prevent activation
Why might selectivity be more important for drugs than endogenous compounds like dopamine?
The neurotransmitters are delivered directly to the target, giving a localised response. The drug reaches the blood and so can be delivered to anywhere in the body.
What is the difference between a side effect and an adverses effect?
Side effect is any effect secondary to the intended effect. Adverse effect is a side effect that has negative health consequences.
How does increasing the dose of a drug have an effect?
The drug will bind to receptors for similar molecules. The drug is less selective and other off-target effects occur.
What is an off-target response?
Where a drug binds with the wrong target molecule (or the right target molecule in the wrong area) to create a response.
Outline the features of a safe drug.
Large difference between the dose required to induce the desired effect and the dose required to induce side effects/adverse effects.
