Pharmacology Basics

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Questions and Answers

What differentiates a drug from a poison?

Poisons can be administered for recreational purposes.

Drugs are always safe regardless of the dose.

Drugs have a broader safety dose range than poisons. (correct)

Poisons can be used for treating diseases.

Under what condition does a drug become toxic?

When used to diagnose diseases.

In cases of overdose or prolonged use. (correct)

When taken in a lower than therapeutic dose.

When administered through the correct route.

Which source of drugs is entirely synthetic?

Insulin.

Clavulanic acid.

Corticosteroids. (correct)

Morphine.

Which of the following is NOT a typical use of drugs?

To promote recreational activities. Signup and view all the answers

What type of drugs are produced by combining natural and synthetic products?

Semisynthetic drugs. Signup and view all the answers

What role do vaccines typically serve among drug uses?

Prevention of diseases. Signup and view all the answers

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

Morphine. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about weak electrolytes is correct?

Most drugs are weak electrolytes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a route of drug administration?

Dermal Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of metabolism in pharmacokinetics primarily involve?

Chemical conversion of the drug to more polar compounds Signup and view all the answers

In the context of pharmacokinetics, which factor is NOT associated with drug absorption?

Patient's age Signup and view all the answers

How are transgenic animals related to insulin production?

They have the human insulin gene inserted into their genome. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of vaccines?

To stimulate the body's immune response Signup and view all the answers

What is an invasive method of drug administration?

Intravenous injection Signup and view all the answers

Which route of administration bypasses the gastrointestinal tract?

Parenteral Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ADME' in pharmacokinetics stand for?

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the topical route of drug administration?

It is designed for local effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which drugs typically bind to plasma proteins?

Both acidic and basic drugs bind to plasma proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What modern concept contradicts the earlier belief regarding the placenta?

The placenta does not effectively exclude drugs from the fetus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of drug distribution in the body?

To transfer the drug from systemic circulation to various tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of tissue where drugs distribute?

Intestinal Flora Signup and view all the answers

Which route is associated with drug administration through the skin?

Transdermal Signup and view all the answers

What incident is associated with thalidomide and its effects?

It led to congenital abnormalities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the intrathecal route is correct?

It involves drug administration to the spinal canal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of pharmacology?

The interaction between biological systems and drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which division of pharmacology studies how the body handles drugs?

Pharmacokinetics Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'congeners' refer to in pharmacology?

Drugs with similar chemical structures Signup and view all the answers

How does drug response vary among individuals?

It varies based on genetic and physiological differences Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the definition of a drug?

Chemical molecules that cause changes in physiological processes Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a receptor in pharmacology?

Many different types exist to interact with drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the group name 'antihypertensives'?

They are used to manage hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the term 'active principle' in pharmacology?

It is the component responsible for the drug's pharmacological effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of drug biotransformation?

To convert drugs into more polar substances for elimination Signup and view all the answers

How can biotransformation affect the biological activity of a drug?

It can convert inert drugs into active forms or alter their activity Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes microsomal enzymes from non-microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes?

They arise from different cellular locations and functions in drug biotransformation Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is considered the most important for drug elimination?

Kidneys Signup and view all the answers

In what form are most drugs excreted in the urine?

Both unchanged and as metabolites Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the kidneys related to drug elimination?

They receive approximately 25% of the cardiac output Signup and view all the answers

What happens to drugs that are processed by the liver before entering the gastrointestinal tract?

They are excreted unchanged into bile for further elimination Signup and view all the answers

Which type of enzyme activity can vary greatly due to genetic differences in a population?

Biotransformation enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pharmacology

The study of the interactions of living systems and molecules, especially xenobiotics and endogenous substances.
Focuses on how drugs affect the body and how the body handles drugs.
Major divisions: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacokinetics

Refers to the way the body handles drugs, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Absorption is the movement of drugs from the site of administration into the bloodstream.
Distribution is the movement of drugs from circulation to the tissues.
Metabolism is the chemical conversion of drugs into more polar compounds in the body, often catalyzed by enzymes.
Excretion is the elimination of drugs from the body via renal, biliary, or other processes.

Drug Formulation

Variety of dosage forms are available, including tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, etc.
The route of drug administration directly impacts how the drug is absorbed and its effectiveness.

Enteral Routes

Drugs are administered directly into the gastrointestinal tract.
Examples include oral, nasogastric, orogastric, buccal, sublingual, and rectal routes.

Parenteral Routes

Bypass the gastrointestinal tract.
Include injection routes (e.g., IV, IM, SC) and non-injection routes (e.g., topical, transdermal, inhalational).

Drug Distribution

The transfer of drugs from the bloodstream to various tissues, including sites of action, storage sites, organs for metabolism, and organs/routes of elimination.
Tissues involved in drug distribution: plasma protein binding, cellular reservoirs, fat, and bone/teeth.

Drug Metabolism

Biotransformation of drugs into more polar substances to facilitate excretion and elimination.
The process is not synonymous with detoxification.
Metabolites can have either increased, decreased, or no biological activity compared to the parent drug.
Enzymes play a key role in drug metabolism.
Two main types of metabolizing enzymes: microsomal and non-microsomal.

Drug Excretion

The process of eliminating drugs (parent compounds or metabolites) from the body.
The primary excretory organs/glands include kidneys, liver, mammary glands, lungs, intestines, skin, salivary glands, and lacrimal glands.
Polar substances generally are excreted more efficiently, except by the lungs.

Renal Excretion

Polar drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine.

Hepato-Biliary Excretion

Drugs are secreted into bile and eliminated via feces.
Two pathways: direct secretion of unchanged drugs into bile and metabolism in the liver followed by secretion into bile.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of pharmacology, focusing on the interactions between living systems and various substances. This quiz covers key concepts such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as important aspects of drug formulation and administration routes.