Pharmacology Basics and Drug Classifications

Questions and Answers

What is pharmacology?

The study of biological effects of chemicals.

What are the four main processes in pharmacokinetics?

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

What is the difference between the chemical name and the generic name of a drug?

The chemical name describes its anatomic and molecular structure, while the generic name is an abbreviation of the chemical name.

What does the symbol ® indicate?

That the name is registered by and restricted to the drug manufacturer. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a route of drug administration?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What drug form consists of powders compressed into a disc-like shape?

Tablet. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following drug forms with their descriptions:

Pills = Drugs shaped spherical to be swallowed Capsules = Gelatin containers filled with powders or tiny pills Suppositories = Drugs mixed with a waxlike base that melts at body temperature Syrups = Sugar, water, and drug solutions Signup and view all the answers

What does pharmacodynamics study?

The biochemical and physical effects of drugs and the mechanisms of drug actions. Signup and view all the answers

The ____ route allows injection of substances directly into the bloodstream.

Intravenous Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of administering drugs orally?

It is usually the safest, most convenient, and least expensive route. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the metabolism process of pharmacokinetics?

Drug is changed into a form that can be excreted Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Body and Chemical Reactions

The human body operates through complex chemical reactions and processes.
Pharmacology studies the biological effects of chemicals.
Drugs are chemicals introduced to cause changes in the body, which processes and eliminates them, affecting chemical reactions.

Pharmacology Basics

Pharmacokinetics involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.
Pharmacodynamics focuses on the biochemical and physical effects of drugs and their action mechanisms.
Pharmacotherapeutics refers to the use of drugs in preventing and treating diseases.

Drug Name Classifications

Chemical Name: A precise scientific name describing the drug’s anatomic and molecular structure.
Generic Name: A simplified abbreviation of the chemical name.
Trade Name: A brand or proprietary name chosen by the drug company, protected by copyright, indicated by the ® symbol.

Drug Origin

Drugs can be derived from natural sources (plants, animals, minerals) or synthesized.
Synthetic drugs are free from impurities found in natural substances.

Drug Administration Routes

Buccal: Administration between the cheek and gum.
Sublingual: Placement under the tongue for absorption.
Translingual: Applied on the tongue.
Gastric: Direct installation into the gastrointestinal (GI) system for patients unable to swallow.
Intravenous (IV): Direct injection into the bloodstream through a vein, allowing for precision in administration.
Oral: Generally the safest and most convenient route for conscious patients.
Rectal and Vaginal: Treatment for local irritation or infection via suppositories, ointments, or gels.
Respiratory: Inhalation of gases for rapid absorption, including metered-dose inhalers.

Specialized Infusion Routes

Epidural: Infusion into the epidural space.
Intrathecal: Infusion into cerebrospinal fluid.
Intrapleural: Infusion into the pleural cavity.
Intraperitoneal: Infusion into the peritoneal cavity.
Intraosseous: Infusion into the vascular network of long bones.
Intraarticular: Infusion into a joint.

Drug Forms

Solid Forms:
- Pills: Spherical drugs for swallowing.
- Tablets: Compressed powder into disc-like shape.
- Suppositories: Mixtures that melt at body temperature.
- Capsules: Gelatin containers filled with powders or tiny pills.
Liquid Forms:
- Solutions: Water or oil based.
- Tinctures: Alcohol-extracted preparations.
- Suspensions: Solid particles suspended in a liquid.
- Emulsions: Oily substances in a solvent.
- Spirits: Volatile drugs dissolved in alcohol.
- Elixirs: Alcohol and water mixtures with flavors.
- Syrups: Sugary solutions containing drugs.

Pharmacokinetics Overview

Pharmacokinetics studies how drugs are absorbed into the body, distributed to tissues, metabolized into excretable forms, and ultimately excreted.

Description

Explore the fascinating field of pharmacology, which encompasses the study of drug actions, classifications, and the human body's chemical reactions. This quiz covers key concepts such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the different types of drug names. Test your understanding of how drugs interact with biological systems.