Pharmacology Concepts and Calculations Part 1

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Questions and Answers

Which drug is specifically accredited to the work of Hitchings and Elion for treating cancer?

Allopurinol

Pyrimethamine

Trimethoprim

6-mercaptopurine (correct)

What was amphetamine initially trialed as a remedy for?

Depression

Nausea

Insomnia

Headaches (correct)

What is the estimated number of drug targets identified within the human genome?

20,000

3000

600 to 1500 (correct)

30,000

Which gene category consists of genes whose altered expression may lead to disease?

Disease modifying genes Signup and view all the answers

What condition is imatinib specifically used to treat?

Chronic myeloid leukaemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of pharmacodynamics?

The effects of the drug on the body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a drug?

A biologically active compound intended to produce a change in the body Signup and view all the answers

What are the main types of drug targets mentioned?

Receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters Signup and view all the answers

How can drugs be primarily classified?

According to class, chemical properties, and therapeutic action Signup and view all the answers

What does the term pharmacokinetics refer to?

The effects of the body on the drug Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure is noted for pioneering the treatment of syphilis with salvarsan?

Paul Ehrlich Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic distinguishing a medicine from a drug?

Medicines often include additional substances for convenience Signup and view all the answers

What does the term ‘receptor concept’ in pharmacology primarily relate to?

How drugs interact with cell structures Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily explained as part of pharmacology in this module?

Absorption and elimination of drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which practical focuses on the effects of nitric oxide in the module?

Arterial vasodilatation Signup and view all the answers

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

The activation of receptors by a drug Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of drugs is NOT covered in the pharmacology module according to the provided information?

Drug interactions with the immune system Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main pharmacokinetic processes mentioned in the content?

Absorption, metabolism, distribution, elimination Signup and view all the answers

Which type of receptor interaction is discussed that can lead to toxic effects?

Antagonistic blocking Signup and view all the answers

Which day is the practical session for Group A scheduled?

Friday, 4 October Signup and view all the answers

What will be discussed regarding the nature of drugs in this pharmacology module?

How drugs bind to receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the seminar scheduled for Weds 16 Oct?

Arterial vasodilatation calculations Signup and view all the answers

Which receptor types are mentioned in the schedule on Weds 30 Oct?

G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the assessment is based on the practical report on nitric oxide practical?

30% Signup and view all the answers

Which topic is NOT listed in the pharmacokinetics sessions?

Vasodilatation mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug targets are covered on Weds 13 Nov?

Nuclear receptors and enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Which date is scheduled for the first part of drug toxicology sessions?

Tues 10 Dec Signup and view all the answers

Who is listed as the instructor for the majority of the sessions?

Slingo, JJT Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the recommended books for this course?

Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept behind Ehrlich's 'magic bullet' theory?

Drugs should selectively target specific cells without harming the host. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'receptor' in drug action?

A specific site on a cell membrane that drugs target. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in classifying drugs?

Drugs may belong to multiple pharmacological classes. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of drug targets are human proteins?

73% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods can be used to identify drug targets?

Analyzing genetic susceptibility and disease mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

What was the number of FDA approved drugs in 2021?

39 Signup and view all the answers

What approach does the text suggest is crucial for successful drug discovery?

Understanding mechanisms of disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason not all disease mechanisms are considered 'druggable'?

They are too complex for drug interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pharmacology at a Glance: Concepts and Calculations (Part 1)

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on living systems
Pharmacodynamics describes the effects of a drug on the body; e.g., Paracetamol's mechanism depends on prostaglandin inhibition.
Pharmacokinetics describes the body's effects on a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Drugs are classified by therapeutic class, chemical properties, and mechanism of action.
Drug naming can vary considerably between chemical, IUPAC, and trade names, making classification challenging.
Drug targets are molecular recognition sites on which drugs bind.
Most drug targets are proteins, including receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters.
Approximately 73% of drug targets are human, 16% are microbial/viral, and 11% are miscellaneous.
Drug targets may be identified by analyzing disease pathways or genetic determinants of disease susceptibility.
The Human Genome Project and modern molecular biology techniques have accelerated the identification and characterization of drug targets.
Some drug discoveries result from investigations targeted at specific diseases, but others are accidental.
Examples of drugs with specific roles include anti-tuberculosis drugs, antibacterial drugs, anti-cancer drugs, and anti-gout drugs
Important figures in pharmacology include Paul Ehrlich (interested in staining cellular components and pioneered syphilis treatment), and Hitchings and Elion (pioneered the understanding of disease mechanisms and drug synthesis).
Examples of accidental discoveries are the drug amphetamine, initially used as a headache remedy, later discovered to decrease agitation in children which then led to the development of Ritalin for ADHD.
The concept of 'magic bullets' developed from Ehrlich's theory of targeted drug development, ideally with specific effects minimizing systemic toxicity.
Langley's work on neuromuscular junction interactions introduced the concept of receptor interactions with drugs.
Drugs act through receptors, and these receptors interact with specific compounds to trigger reactions.
Receptors can be intracellular or cell membrane-bound.

Learning Objectives

Define pharmacology, drug, medicine, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics
Explain the difference between a medicine and a drug.
Explain the receptor concept and its development and how drugs are classified based on their action, drug class, and chemical properties.
Explain the role of human genome mapping projects and molecular biological techniques in identifying drug targets.
Define drug target, receptor, enzyme, ion channel, and transporter.
Recognize the difference between 'conventional drug target' (analyzing pathophysiology and mechanisms) and 'Trawling the genome' (identifying disease genes).
Understand the concept of transgenic models in studying drug responses.

Drug Targets

Approximately 600–1500 identified drug targets (overlap between druggable genome, disease modifying genes, and human genome)

Question Time

Approximately 39 drugs were FDA approved in 2021, and this was lower than 2020.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of pharmacology in this quiz, covering key concepts such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Learn about drug classification, naming conventions, and molecular interactions. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how drugs impact living systems and the body's response to them.