Introduction to Pharmacology Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary advantage of transdermal patches?

They provide immediate drug release.

They must be administered multiple times a day.

They are convenient for constant drug delivery. (correct)

They eliminate all side effects.

Which of the following is an example of a topical drug administration?

Nicotine patch

Eye drops for conjunctivitis (correct)

General anesthetic gas

Intranasal decongestant spray

What is a disadvantage of using transdermal drug delivery?

They can cause skin irritation such as erythema. (correct)

Localized effects are often minimized.

They require a needle for administration.

They are less effective than oral medications.

What characterizes intranasal drug administration?

It bypasses first pass metabolism and can cause systemic effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which administration route is typically used for both systemic effects and localized respiratory tract effects?

Aerosol antiasthmatic agents Signup and view all the answers

What does pharmacokinetics describe?

The body's effects on a drug Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes an adverse reaction to a drug?

A harmful or unpleasant response occurring at normal doses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of toxicology within pharmacology?

Investigating toxic effects of drugs on animals or cell cultures. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines side effects?

Unintended effects associated with the pharmacological properties of a drug at normal doses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main study area of clinical pharmacology?

Assessing the efficacy and safety of drugs on humans. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of pharmacokinetics?

Drug interactions Signup and view all the answers

The mechanism of action of a drug refers to what?

The specific way a drug interacts with receptors or enzymes. Signup and view all the answers

What determines the concentration of a drug in the body?

The pharmacokinetic processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a sudden decrease in response to a drug after repeated administration within short intervals?

Tachyphylaxis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drug nomenclature is used officially and kept uniform by a specific body?

Generic name Signup and view all the answers

What type of drugs refers to the loss of effectiveness of antimicrobial or antitumor medications?

Drug resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the reaction to a drug that decreases after prolonged exposure?

Tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a prodrug?

A drug that is administered in an inactive form and activated in the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a natural source of drugs?

Seeds of opium poppy for opioids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes a commercial name of a drug?

It may differ across different countries. Signup and view all the answers

What example best represents a time-related adverse reaction to a drug?

Diabetes Signup and view all the answers

What is the generic name for the drug brand Tylenol®?

Acetaminophen Signup and view all the answers

Which drug class includes propranolol?

Beta-blockers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a typical use of drugs for prevention?

Vaccine to prevent infectious diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a chemical name of a drug?

1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphtylloxy)propan-2-ol Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug must be used under medical supervision due to potential misuse?

Prescription drugs Signup and view all the answers

What pharmacological effect does amphetamine exhibit?

CNS stimulant Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a type of drug classification?

Cultural significance Signup and view all the answers

What is the common name for sildenafil citrate?

Viagra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drug formulations is designed to melt at body temperature within a body cavity other than the mouth?

Suppository Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of sublingual or buccal drug administration?

Avoids first-pass metabolism Signup and view all the answers

Which route of drug administration is characterized by the risk of bacterial infection and thrombophlebitis?

Intravenous Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using rectal drug administration?

Unreliable absorption Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor affecting the choice of drug administration route?

Condition of the patient Signup and view all the answers

How does the absorption rate of subcutaneous injection compare to intravenous and intramuscular routes?

Slower than both intravenous and intramuscular Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes ensures that a drug is not metabolized by the liver before entering circulation?

Intravenous Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason to choose the intravenous route for drug administration?

To control the drug amount delivered accurately Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug formulation is not typically included in the parenteral routes?

Capsule Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common application of intrathecal administration?

Treatment of CNS diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of oral drug administration?

Utilizes first-pass metabolism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes is least reliable for drug absorption?

Rectal Signup and view all the answers

Epidural administration is primarily used in which context?

Anesthesia during surgical procedures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes is utilized for administering drugs directly into the bloodstream?

Intra-arterial Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Pharmacology and Routes of Administration

Pharmacology is the study of drugs
It examines the interaction between drugs and biological systems
It considers what happens to the drug in the body (pharmacokinetics) and how the drug impacts the body (pharmacodynamics)
Pharmacology includes different branches such as clinical pharmacology and toxicology

Branches of Pharmacology

Toxicology studies the harmful effects of drugs, usually on animals or cell cultures. It also investigates adverse effects
Clinical Pharmacology examines the effects of drugs on humans (and healthy volunteers). This involves studying efficacy, safety, comparing drugs and their adverse effects.

Terminology

Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and influences how drug concentration changes in the body
Pharmacodynamics investigates how the drug affects the body, describing the mechanism of action (how it works), the drug's effects (therapeutic, side, toxic), and drug interactions

Terminology - Side Effects

Side effects are unintended effects that occur at typical doses due to the drug's pharmacological properties
They are often dose-related
Examples include warfarin (anticoagulant causing excessive bleeding) and propranolol (beta-blocker causing bradycardia)

Terminology - Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are harmful or unpleasant responses to drugs, even at typical doses
They may be dose-related, or occur over time
Examples include excessive bleeding from warfarin, hypersensitivity to antibiotics, and osteoporosis or diabetes from steroids

Terminology - Tolerance

Tolerance occurs when the body's reaction to a drug decreases after prolonged use
Tolerance develops gradually over days or weeks
To maintain the same effect, a higher dose of the drug is required (e.g., opioids)

Terminology - Tachyphylaxis

Tachyphylaxis is the rapid onset of tolerance to a drug after repeated use, often within minutes
This can occur, for instance, with local anaesthetics.

Terminology - Drug Resistance

Drug resistance occurs when antimicrobial or antitumor drugs lose their effectiveness
Drugs may become less effective due to mutations that help the bacterium resist the drug

Diminution of a Response

Tachyphylaxis/Desensitization is a rapid response to a drug, diminishing within minutes
Tolerance emerges more gradually, occurring over days or weeks, requiring the patient to increase the dose.
Drug resistance leads to decreased drug effectiveness to antimicrobial/antitumor drugs.

Uses of Drugs

Drugs can be used for diagnosis (e.g., barium sulfate in X-rays), treatment (e.g., paracetamol for headaches, penicillin for infections), prevention (vaccination, antimalarial drugs), and changing physiological function (e.g., contraceptives).

Nomenclature of Drugs

Generic name (non-proprietary): Officially approved name, uniform, used in medical communication
Chemical name: Describes the drug's chemical structure (often complex and not used in everyday practice)
Commercial name (proprietary/trade/brand): Assigned by the manufacturer; catchy, short, and often linked to clinical use
Street name: Informal names for drugs, not used in medical settings, often tied to illegal/non-medical channels

Drug Classification

Drugs can be classified based on their mechanism of action, chemical structure, physiological effect, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use,and natural source

Drugs - Prototype and Prodrugs

A prototype drug is a key drug in a class; a standard to evaluate new drugs
A prodrug is an inactive drug that the body converts into an active drug upon ingestion (e.g., fosphenytoin)

Drugs - Prescription vs. Non-Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs need a doctor's order, are intended to be used under medical oversight, and can have risks/potential for misuse.
Non-prescription drugs are generally considered safe for public use without a doctor's order (e.g., paracetamol, vitamins).

Drug Formulation

Drugs come in various forms, including liquids (suspension, elixir, syrup, ointment), tablets, capsules, suppositories, powders, and gases

Routes of Drug Administration

Drug administration can be categorized into enteral (intestinal), parenteral (alternate routes), and topical.
Enteral routes involve the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., oral, buccal, sublingual, rectal).
Parenteral routes bypass the GI tract (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intra-arterial, intra-thecal, epidural, transdermal).

Factors Affecting Route of Choice

Properties of the drug, site of action, absorption rate, influence by gastric fluids, treatment type, dosage needed, and patient status all affect the best route

Advantages and Disadvantages of Oral Administration

Advantages: commonly used, safe, accessible
Disadvantages: often subject to first-pass metabolism, can be affected by gastric acids, and can be unpalatable.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Other Routes of Administration

Each route has varying advantages and disadvantages concerning safety, speed, degree of patient compliance, and the nature and potential side effects of the drug.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of pharmacology, including drug interactions with biological systems. It covers key concepts such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the branches of pharmacology like toxicology and clinical pharmacology.