Pharmacology Basics Quiz

Study Notes

Pharmacology Overview

Pharmacology is derived from Greek, where "pharmacon" means drug and "logos" means study.
It focuses on how drugs act on tissues or organs to diagnose or treat diseases.

Drug Definition

A drug serves as an agent for diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of diseases.

Main Subdivisions of Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics: Explores what the body does to a drug.
- Involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.
- Relevant to immunizations and vaccines.
Pharmacodynamics: Investigates what a drug does to the body.
- Studies interactions between drugs and their specific receptors that mediate drug effects.

Other Key Areas

Chemotherapy: Targets systematic infections, addressing parasites living in the body.
Toxicology: Examines the poisonous effects of drugs and chemicals, emphasizing detection and prevention.
Bioavailability: Refers to the fraction of an administered drug that reaches the bloodstream.

Pharmaco-Therapeutics

Focuses on the use of drugs to treat or prevent diseases.
Can be preventive, palliative, or restorative.

Drug Nomenclature

Involves naming conventions for drugs.
Three primary classifications:
- Chemical Name: Based on the drug's chemical formula as defined by IUPAC.
- Generic Name: Official name accepted universally for a drug.
- Brand Name: The name given by the manufacturing company.

Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of pharmacology, including drug classification, side effects, and the study of drug actions in the human body. This quiz covers essential concepts such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as the role of medications in treatment and diagnosis.