What is pharmacology?

Question 1

Pharmacology

Answer 1

The study of the effects of drugs on biological systems

Question 2

Pharmacodynamics

Answer 2

Study of the molecular, biochemical, and physiological effects of drugs on cellular/body systems and their mechanisms of action

Question 3

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 3

Study of the absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs

Question 4

Pharmacogenomics

Answer 4

The study of genetic influences on the effectiveness and fate of drugs

Question 5

Toxicology

Answer 5

The study of the adverse or toxic effects of drugs and other chemical agents

Question 6

Where do drugs come from?

Answer 6

1. Plants
2. Microorganisms
3. Endogenous compounds
4. Modification of endogenous compounds
5. Synthetic chemicals

Question 7

Give examples of extracts from plants and herbs and what are they used for?

Answer 7

Opium poppy- Morphine(pain killer)

Foxglove- digitalis(digoxin)- used to treat congestive heart failure

Question 8

Give examples of drugs from microorganisms?

Answer 8

Penicillin(antibiotic), penicillin interferes with bacterial cell walls.

Question 9

Give examples of endogenous compounds?

Answer 9

• Insulin(to treat diabetes)
• Thyroxine(treatment of thyroid insufficiency)
• Growth hormone(treatment of short stature)

Question 10

Give examples of chemical modification of hormones/endogenous compounds?

Answer 10

Hormonal drugs:
-Ethinyl estradiol (readily absorbed form of oestrogen)
Anti-cancer drugs
-6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine- modified base components of DNA/RNA-interfere with DNA/RNA synthesis

Question 11

Give examples of chemical synthesis?

Answer 11

• Indomethacin,celecoxib- COX inhibitors(NSAIDS)
• Cimetidine-histamine receptor modulator
• Simvastatin-HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

Question 12

What are the names of drugs discovered by chance?

Answer 12

• Antidepressants= monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants
• Cisplatin-platinum containing drug used to treat a number of cancers.

Question 13

What are generic names?

Answer 13

Related to the composition, structure, source of the drug. Preferred name for general use. Often have similar endings that give some insight into the class of drug eg celecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib etc

Question 14

What are brand names?

Answer 14

Drug company’s name for the drug

Question 15

What are the protein targets of drugs?

Answer 15

1. Receptors
2. Enzymes
3. Ion channels
4. Carrier molecules

Question 16

What are the non-protein targets of drugs?

Answer 16

1. DNA and RNA

2. Lipids