Pharmokinetics and Drug Administration

Question 1

What is pharmacology?

Answer 1

The study of the action of drugs on living systems to produce biological effects.

Question 2

What are pharmokinetic factors?

Answer 2

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion determines how the drug enters the body, reaches the site of action and is removed from the body.

Question 3

Explain “absorption”

Answer 3

It is the movement of drug molecules from the site of administration into systemic circulation. After a drug had been injected or swallowed, etc. it must be absorbed into the blood and travel to the target tissues where it will have its intended effect.

Question 4

Explain bioavailability…

Answer 4

It is the quantity of the drug administered that actually enters systemic circulation

Question 5

In order of highest bioavailability to lowest, list common ways of administration

Answer 5

Intravenous injection provides 100% bioavailability, intramuscular provides slightly less than IV and per os or subcutaneous (PO or SQ) have the lowest.

Question 6

How are drugs metabolized?

Answer 6

Most drugs are metabolized in the liver. Metabolism means that the body alters the drug before it is eliminated. This process makes the drug more easily excreted by the kidney or liver.

Question 7

Explain excretion of drugs

Answer 7

Most drugs are eliminated by the kidney into the urine. But some are eliminated by the liver into the bile and then through the feces.

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of oral/per os administration of drugs?

Answer 8

Drugs given PO must be absorbed across the gastrointestinal lining - can be tablets, capsules, chewables, liquid, oral pastes or powder. Ad=easy for owners to do, inexpensive. Dis=low bioavailability, absorption is unpredictable.

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of subcutaneous (SQ or SC) administration of drugs?

Answer 9

SQ/SC is an injection under the skin, absorption is through simple diffusion. Ad=clients can be taught to do this and it’s less painful than IM. Dis=some drugs not available in this form and it is not as absorbed as well as IM, poor bioavailability.

Question 10

What are the advantages and disadvantages of intramuscular administration of drugs?

Answer 10

IM is an injection right into the muscle, better circulation makes absorption better than SQ, but also more risks to veins, arteries, major nerves. Ad=better absorption and teachable. Dis=painful, high risk of error, may require multiple sites for large doses.

Question 11

What are the advantages and disadvantages of intravenous administration of drugs?

Answer 11

IV is injected directly into vein, no absorption phase, immediate effect. Ad=100% bioavailability, large volumes can be given, rapid effect. Dis=need skilled technician for administration or IV catheter, cannot be done at home by client

Question 12

What is extravasation?

Answer 12

Extravasation is leakage of intravenous drugs from the vein into surrounding tissue causing significant tissue damage or sloughing. Drugs noted for extravasation are cytotoxic drugs, intravenous nutrition, solutions of calcium, potassium, bicarbonate and 10% dextrose.

Question 13

What are the uses and types of antibiotics?

Answer 13

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some are bacteriostatic = inhibits growth of bacteria or bactericidal = destroys bacteria. There are broad-spectrum antibiotics = effective against a wide range of microorganisms.

Question 14

What are the uses for anti parasitic agents?

Answer 14

Used to kill parasites.

Question 15

What are the uses for anticonvulsants?

Answer 15

Used to control seizures.

Question 16

What are the uses for analgesics?

Answer 16

Used to manage pain.

Question 17

What are the uses for NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)?

Answer 17

Used to decrease inflammation and control pain. Non-narcotic analgesics.

Question 18

What are the uses for gastrointestinal drugs?

Answer 18

Used to control vomiting, nausea, treat ulcers

Question 19

Uses for corticosteroids?

Answer 19

Used to decrease inflammation and suppress the immune system

Question 20

Classification and generic or trade name of AMPICILLIN, AMOXICILLIN?

Answer 20

Ampicillin and amoxicillin are penicillin/bacteriostatic antibiotics. Trade name is Clavamox.

Question 21

Classification and generic or trade name of ENROFLOXACIN?

Answer 21

Enrofloxacin aka Baytril is a quinolone/bactericidal/broad spectrum antibiotic

Question 22

Classification and generic or trade name of PYRANTEL PAMOATE?

Answer 22

Pyrantal Pamoate aka Nemex or Strongid is an antiparasitic agent that treats roundworms and hookworms. (tastes like milkshake)

Question 23

Classification and generic or trade name of DIAZEPAM?

Answer 23

Diazepam aka Valium is a benzodiazepine anticonvulsant; used in sedation and control of seizures.

Question 24

Classification and generic or trade name of BUTORPHANOL?

Answer 24

Butorphanol aka Torbugesic is an opioid analgesic; used routinely in small animal medicine to manage pain.

Question 25

Classification and generic or trade name of HYDROMORPHONE?

Answer 25

Hydromorphone is an opioid analgesic.

Question 26

Classification and generic or trade name of CARPROFEN?

Answer 26

Carprofen aka Rimadyl is a NSAID used primarily for musculoskeletal pain. Is hard on the liver.

Question 27

Classification and generic or trade name of MELOXICAM?

Answer 27

Meloxicam aka Metacam is the current NSAID of choice in many vet practices.

Question 28

Classification and generic or trade name of METOCLOPRAMIDE?

Answer 28

Metoclopramide aka Reglan is an antinausea/antiemetic gastrointestinal drug.

Question 29

Classification and generic or trade name of FAMOTIDINE?

Answer 29

Famotidine aka Pepcid is a GI drug used to prevent ulcers; blocks acid secretion.

Question 30

Classification and generic or trade name of ONDANSETRON?

Answer 30

Ondansetron aka Zofran is a GI drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting (developed for chemo patients along with Dolasetron aka Anzemet).

Question 31

Classification and generic or trade name of PREDNISONE?

Answer 31

Prednisone is a corticosteroid and glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-mediated disease.

Question 32

Classification and generic or trade name of ACEPROMAZINE?

Answer 32

Acepromazine is a sedative used for preanesthetic purposes, as well as anti-anxiety purposes.

Question 33

Classification and generic or trade name of KETAMINE?

Answer 33

Ketamine aka Ketaset is an anesthetic agent, normally used in combination with other drugs. Acts as a dissociative agent but provides little analgesic effects.

Question 34

Classification and generic or trade name of PROPOFOL?

Answer 34

Propofol aka Propoflo is a hypnotic drug used for induction or producing short-term general anesthesia, causes respiratory depression.

Question 35

Classification and generic or trade name of DIPHENHYDRAMINE?

Answer 35

Diphenhydramine aka Benadryl is an antihistamine used for allergic reactions.

Question 36

Classification and generic or trade name of APOMORPHINE?

Answer 36

Apomorphine is an emetic drug used to induce vomiting.

Question 37

Classification and generic or trade name of FUROSEMIDE?

Answer 37

Furosemide aka Lasix is a diuretic used to increase urine production in patients with edema.

Question 38

Classification and generic or trade name of MANNITOL?

Answer 38

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to increase urine production.