Pharmacy Drugs Flashcards
What does pharmacology mean?
the study of drugs, their preparation, properties, uses and effects.
Describes the length of time it takes the initial dosage of a drug to be reduced to half its original size or concentration
Half-life
A measure of the relative safety of a drug. A drug with a high therapeutic index can be administered with less risk than a drug with a low therapeutic index.
Therapeutic Index
Peak Level
The stage at which the highest concentration of a drug is present in a patient’s bloodstream. (Typically a medication will reach its peak level about 30 to 60 minutes after administration.
The dosage of a drug that if administered to a patient would be fatal.
Lethal Dose
Onset of Action
The amount of time it takes for a medication to start working.
The length of time a particular dosage of a drug will be active in the body
Duration
Agonist
a class of drugs that activate or stimulates their receptors
Antagonists
a class of drugs that blocks the access or binding
Aerosol Spray
A liquid, powder or foam deposited in a thin layer on the skin by air pressure
Aqueous Solution
One or more drugs dissolved in water
Aqueous Suspension
One or more drugs finely divided in a liquid such as water
Capsule
A gelatinous container holding a drug in powder, liquid or oil form
Elixir
A sweetened and aromatic solution of alcohol used as a vehicle for medicinal agents
Extract
A concentrated form of a drug made from vegetables or animals
Gel
A clear or translucent semi-solid that liquefies when applied to the skin
Lozenge (Troche)
A flat, round or oval preparation that dissolves and releases a drug when held in the mouth
Ointment
A semi-solid preparation of one or more drugs used for application to the skin and mucous membranes
Paste
A preparation similar to ointment (but thicker and stiffer) that does not penetrate the skin as well as an ointment
Pill
One or more drugs mixed with a cohesive material in oval, round or flattened shapes
Suppository
One or several drugs mixed with a firm base such as gelatine and shaped for insertion into the body; the base dissolves at body temperature, gradually releasing the drug
Syrup
An aqueous solution of sugar often used to disguise the unpleasant taste of some drugs
Tablet
A powdered drug compressed into a hard, small disc; some are readily broken along a scored line; others are enteric coated to prevent them from dissolving in the stomach
Transdermal Patch
A semi-permeable membrane shaped in the form of a disk or patch that contains a drug to be absorbed through the skin over a lengthy period of time
Chemical Names:
These names are used to describe the medication’s molecular structure. Chemical names are only used by chemists or scientists.
Generic Names:
These are names that have been assigned to the medication. Generic names are usually an abbreviated version of the chemical name.
Trade Names:
These are the names drug manufacturers assign to their products. Several different trade names may be used to identify a single drug.
There are three different ways to classify drugs
By body system
By the action of the agents
By the drug’s mechanism of action
pharmacodynamics
the study of how drugs affect living tissues in the body.
Alpha - 1 Receptor
Constriction of blood vessels (reduced blood flow)
Beta - 1 Receptor
Increased heart rate and strength of heart contractions
Beta - 2
Bronchodilation (increased air flow)
What are the effects of Epinephrine
Affects all three receptor classes in the sympathetic nervous system.
Binds to alpha 1 receptors: initiates blood vessel constriction, which results in an increase in blood pressure.
Binds to beta 1 receptors: initiates an increase in heart rate.
Binds to beta 2 receptors: dilates the bronchial passageways, allowing for increased air flow into the lungs.
What drug is used in an epi-pen
Epinephrine
What are the effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)
Aspirin is the only EMR medication that affects the Central Nervous System by blocking pain signals.
Aspirin also has many other effects in the body, including increasing blood flow (blood vessel dilation), and decreasing clotting capability (by blocking aggregation of platelets).
Oral Glucose
Provides a quickly absorbed source of glucose which raises the blood sugar levels.
Increases blood sugar for cell metabolism.
5/11 Parenteral route
- IV
- IM
- Endotracheal (ET) tube in the mouth
- Intraosseous (IO) Children/Marrow long bone
- Umbilical/IV for new borns
Antihypoglycemics (oral glucose) effects
Reverse hypoglycemia by increasing blood sugar levels
Antihypoglycemics (oral glucose) side effects
Hyperglycemia
Antiplatelets (ASA) effects
Reduce the blood’s ability to clot, which improves survivability during heart attack
Antiplatelets (ASA) side effects
Increased active bleeding.
Bronchodilators effects
Stimulate airways to open by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system
Bronchodilators side effects
Increased heart rate
Vasopressors (Epinephrine) effects
Increase blood pressure by causing body-wide blood vessel constriction and stimulate airways to open
Vasopressors (Epinephrine) side effects
Increased heart workload
Blood pressure increased too much
Chest pain
Cardiac arrhythmia
CPS
Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties
Product monographs including:
all known dosing, origin, warnings, overdose, interactions, contraindications and indications for each drug
MDI
Metered Dose Inhaler
4 Enteral route
Oral Nasogastric/orogastric (NG/OG) a tube through the nose Sublingual (SL) below the tongue Buccal between the cheek and gums Rectal
6/11 Parenteral route
- Subcutaneous (SC SQ or SubQ) Just bellow the skin
- Inhalation/nebulization for puffers
- Topical, absorbed through the skin
- Transdermal, a continuous release of drugs through the skin ie patch
- Nasal
- Instillation, Eyes and ears