Topic 1 - Pharmacodynamics – structure-dependent and structure-independent drug action

Question 1

What is pharmacodynamics?

Answer 1

It explains, together with pharmacokinetics the relationship between the dose and response

Question 2

Definition of pharmacodynamics

Answer 2

the body’s biological response to the drug

What the drug does to the body

Question 3

Definition of pharmacokinetics

Answer 3

The movement of drugs through the body

What the body does to the drug

Has an abbreiation which stands for how the given drug interacts within the body over time: ADME

Question 4

What does ADME stand for?

Answer 4

Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion

Question 5

Definition of absorption

Answer 5

How the drug enterst the body

Does NOT apply for IV

Question 6

Definition of distribution

Answer 6

Where the drug will go

Question 7

Definition of metabolism

Answer 7

How drugs are transformed and broken down, takes place in the liver

Question 8

Definition of excretion

Answer 8

How the drug leaves the body

Question 9

Key component of pharmacodynamics

Answer 9

1. Mechanism of action
2. Drug-receptor interactions
3. Dose-response relationship
4. Therapeutic window
5. Potency and efficiacy
6. Side effecs and toxicity
7. Tolerance and sensitiaztion

Question 10

Definition of Mechanism of action

Answer 10

Describes how a drug produces an effect

Question 11

Defintion of Drug-receptor interactions

Answer 11

Describes the binding of receptors to drugs

Question 12

Definition of Dose-response relationship

Answer 12

Relationship between the drug dose and the drug concentration

Question 13

Defintion Therapeutic window

Answer 13

The range of drug dosages which can treat the disease efficteciely without having oxic effects

Question 15

Definition of Potency and efficiacy

Answer 15

Potency = Amount of drug necessary to produce a biological response

Efficiacy = Ability of the drug to produce an response by the actiovation of the receptor

Question 16

Definition of Tolerance and sensitiaztion

Answer 16

**Tolerance = **The DECREASED effectiveness of a given drug, with repeated administration

**Sensitization = **The INCREASED effectiveness of a given drug, with repeated administration

Question 17

What is the goal of pharmacodynamics?

Answer 17

To help design and optimizing drug therapies to ensure maximum efficacy and safety for patients

Question 18

Definition of structure dependent drug action

Answer 18

Effects that rely on the specific chemical structure of the drug. The drugs interact with specific biological targets, such as receptors or enzymes, in a way that depends on their precise molecular shape and chemical properties

Structure dependent drugs rely on their presise chemical structure to interact with specific targets in the body

Question 19

Give an example of a structure dependent drug:

Answer 19

Beta blockers

The work by fitting into beta-adrenergic receptors (like a key fits into a lock) to block the action of adrenaline, thus reducing heart rate and blood pressure

Question 20

Definition of structure independent drug action

Answer 20

Effects that do not rely on the specific interaction between the drugs chemical structure and a particular biological target. Instead, these drugs cause a physical and chemical changes in the body that lead to their therapeutic effects

Structure independent drugs produce effects through general physical and chemical changes

Question 21

Give an example of a structure independent drug:

Answer 21

Antacids

They work by neutralizing stomach acid through chemical reaction, regardless of their specific molecular structure

Question 22

Name the different interactions with drugs:

Answer 22

Physical interaction
Biochemical interaction

Question 23

What is physical interaction?

Answer 23

occur most commonly when drugs are combined in IV solutions

Question 24

Examples of physical interactions:

Answer 24

1. Osmotic diuretics = Mannitol Often used for renal failure or kidney damage
2. Antacids = Mg(OH)2 - Magnesium hydroxide Used when there is a gastric acid build up
3. Laxatives = MgSO4 - Magnesium sulphate
4. Chelators = EDTA, deferoxamine Used for lead poisoning or iron overdose

Question 25

What is biochemical interactions?

Answer 25

Can be with or without receptors, but the target is almost always a protein