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What is the definition of Pharmacology?
What is the definition of Pharmacology?
The study of drugs, particularly their actions on animals, organs, and tissues.
Who developed symptomatic treatment for curing diseases with disastrous outcomes, known as Allopathy?
Who developed symptomatic treatment for curing diseases with disastrous outcomes, known as Allopathy?
The therapeutic effect is the primary effect intended of a drug.
The therapeutic effect is the primary effect intended of a drug.
True
What does Pharmacokinetics study?
What does Pharmacokinetics study?
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What is Toxicology?
What is Toxicology?
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Pharmacogenetics studies inherited variation mediated through multiple genes.
Pharmacogenetics studies inherited variation mediated through multiple genes.
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What is the purpose of Pharmacovigilance?
What is the purpose of Pharmacovigilance?
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Give an example of a Pharmacopoeia.
Give an example of a Pharmacopoeia.
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Pharmacoeconomics is the analysis of the ______ of drug therapy.
Pharmacoeconomics is the analysis of the ______ of drug therapy.
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What is the main focus of Pharmacoepidemiology?
What is the main focus of Pharmacoepidemiology?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Pharmacology
- Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on animals, organs, and tissues.
- The word "pharmacology" derives from the Greek words "pharmacon" (active ingredient) and "logos" (discourse).
- Humans have been searching for cures for diseases for centuries, with ancient civilizations like Indians, Chinese, Egyptians, Babylonians, Arabs, and Greeks making significant contributions.
- Hippocrates (450 B.C.), a Greek physician, laid the foundation for modern medicine.
- Early treatments involved using animal flesh, blood, excreta, as well as plant and metal preparations.
- James Gregory (1753 – 1821) is credited with developing symptomatic treatments for diseases. However, these treatments often had disastrous outcomes, leading to the term "allopathy" (other suffering).
Development of Pharmacology
- Pharmacology is a recent scientific development, with contributions from many eminent pharmacologists.
- Francois Magendie and Claude Bernard played a crucial role in developing experimental procedures in pharmacology.
- Advances in molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, pathophysiology, and organic chemistry have significantly contributed to the field of pharmacology.
Terminology in Pharmacology
- The term "drug" is derived from the word "drogue," meaning herb.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a drug as any substance or product used to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient.
- Medication refers to a substance administered for diagnosis, cure, treatment, mitigation, or prevention.
- A prescription is a written instruction for the preparation and administration of a drug.
- The therapeutic effect is the primary intended effect of a drug, for example, the analgesic effect of morphine sulfate.
- Side effects are secondary unintended effects of a drug, often predictable and potentially harmless.
Pharmacy and Related Fields
- Pharmacy involves identifying, selecting, preserving, standardizing, compounding, and dispensing medicinal substances.
- Clinical pharmacy focuses on the pharmacist's cooperation with physicians in educating patients about medication compliance and monitoring for errors in drug therapy.
- Pharmacokinetics studies how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs, and how these processes affect the pharmacologic response.
- Pharmacodynamics quantitatively studies the biological and therapeutic effects of drugs, elucidating their mechanisms of action.
- Therapeutics is a branch of medicine concerned with the cure of diseases or the relief of symptoms, including drug treatment.
- Toxicology is the science of poisons, including their detection, measurement, and treatment.
- Chemotherapy focuses on the effects of drugs on microorganisms and parasites living within a host organism, including cancer treatment.
- Pharmacoepidemiology studies the use and effects of drugs in large populations, providing insights into drug efficacy and safety.
- Pharmacoeconomics analyzes the cost of drug therapy to the healthcare system and society.
- Pharmacovigilance identifies and responds to drug safety issues, especially adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
- Pharmacogenetics studies how inherited variations in single genes influence drug metabolism and responses in humans.
- Pharmacogenomics examines heritable variations in genes that dictate drug response in humans, microbes, and tumors. It aims to predict individual drug responses and develop targeted, safer drugs.
Pharmacopoeia and Formulary
- Pharmacopoeia is an official code containing a selected list of established drugs and medicinal preparations, including descriptions of their physical properties and tests for identification, purity, and potency.
- Pharmacopoeia defines standards for drug preparations and may provide average adult dosages.
- Examples of Pharmacopoeia include the Indian Pharmacopoeia, US Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, and European Pharmacopoeia.
- Formularies provide subscribers with information about available drugs, including their therapeutic uses, dosages, and potential interactions.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of pharmacology, including its historical roots and the contributions of ancient civilizations. Learn about key figures like Hippocrates and the evolution of drug treatments from ancient practices to modern pharmacology. Test your knowledge on the basic principles and development of this essential field.