General Pharmacology Quiz

Drug biotransformation refers to the chemical alteration of drugs in the body, often occurring in the liver, to make them more easily excreted. Drug excretion is the removal of drugs or their metabolites from the body, primarily through the kidneys via urine, but also through other routes such as feces, sweat, and exhaled air.

Several factors can modify drug action, including genetics, age, sex, body weight, disease states, interactions with other drugs or food, and individual variations in drug metabolism and excretion.

The dose-response relationship in pharmacodynamics refers to the correlation between the dose of a drug and the response it produces in the body. This relationship can be depicted graphically as a dose-response curve, showing the magnitude of the response at different drug doses.

Opioid analgesics exert their effects by binding to opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to a reduction in the perception of pain and a sense of euphoria. These drugs can also cause respiratory depression and constipation.

Cholinergic agonists, also known as parasympathomimetic agents, mimic the action of acetylcholine and activate cholinergic receptors in the autonomic nervous system. This activation leads to responses such as increased gastrointestinal motility, miosis, and decreased heart rate.