Pharmacology Basics

What is Pharmacology?

• Study of the effects of drugs on living organisms
• Involves understanding the interactions between drugs and biological systems
• Encompasses pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body)

Types of Pharmacology

• Clinical Pharmacology: study of drugs in humans, focusing on therapeutic uses and adverse effects
• Toxicology: study of the adverse effects of drugs and other substances
• Neuropharmacology: study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system
• Molecular Pharmacology: study of the molecular mechanisms of drug action

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: process of a drug entering the bloodstream
• Distribution: process of a drug spreading throughout the body
• Metabolism: process of a drug being broken down by the body
• Excretion: process of a drug being eliminated from the body

Pharmacodynamics

• Receptors: molecules on the surface of cells that interact with drugs
• Agonists: drugs that bind to receptors and activate them
• Antagonists: drugs that bind to receptors and block their activation
• Partial Agonists: drugs that bind to receptors but only partially activate them

Drug-Body Interactions

• Side Effects: unintended effects of a drug
• Interactions: effects of combining multiple drugs
• Allergic Reactions: immune system responses to a drug
• Tolerance: decreased response to a drug over time
• Dependence: physical or psychological need for a drug

What is Pharmacology?

• Study of the effects of drugs on living organisms, including understanding interactions between drugs and biological systems
• Encompasses two main areas: pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body)

Types of Pharmacology

• Clinical Pharmacology: focuses on therapeutic uses and adverse effects of drugs in humans
• Toxicology: studies the adverse effects of drugs and other substances
• Neuropharmacology: explores the effects of drugs on the nervous system
• Molecular Pharmacology: examines the molecular mechanisms of drug action

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: process by which a drug enters the bloodstream
• The rate and extent of absorption affect the drug's concentration and duration of action
• Distribution: process of a drug spreading throughout the body, influenced by factors such as blood flow and tissue binding
• Metabolism: process of a drug being broken down by the body, often involving enzyme-catalyzed reactions
• Excretion: process of a drug being eliminated from the body, primarily through the kidneys and liver

Pharmacodynamics

• Receptors: molecules on the surface of cells that interact with drugs, triggering specific responses
• Agonists: drugs that bind to receptors, activating them and producing a response
• Antagonists: drugs that bind to receptors, blocking their activation and response
• Partial Agonists: drugs that bind to receptors, producing a partial response

Drug-Body Interactions

• Side Effects: unintended effects of a drug, often predictable and manageable
• Interactions: effects of combining multiple drugs, which can be synergistic, additive, or antagonistic
• Allergic Reactions: immune system responses to a drug, ranging from mild to severe
• Tolerance: decreased response to a drug over time, often due to adaptive changes in the body
• Dependence: physical or psychological need for a drug, often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms

Learn about the study of the effects of drugs on living organisms, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and types of pharmacology like clinical pharmacology and toxicology.