Topic 1 - Drugs and Medicines Flashcards
What is a drug
A substance or product that is used or intended to be used to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient
What’s the difference between potency, selectivity and specificity?
Potency: amount of chemical required to produce an effect
Selectivity: Narrowness off a drug’s range of actions on particular receptors, cellular processes or tissues
Specificity: Relationship. between chemical structure of drug and pharmacological effects
What is the difference between chemical, generic and trade name?
Trade name is used to market the drug (brand name) whereas the generic name is the name of the active ingredient.
Chemical name is name of the chemical ingredient.
What is bioequivalence?
Whether the generic medicine releases the the active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate and to the same extent as the original medicine
Describe what an ideal drug is using the terms potency, selectivity and specificity
An ideal drug would have a high potency, selectivity (only affecting desired organ) and also specificity (resulting in intended physiological responses)
Describe drug classifications
- Use: therapeutic, recreational etc.
- Mechanism of action: