Pharmacology: Drug Classification and Actions

OTC drugs are medications that can be sold without a doctor's prescription. An example of an OTC drug is paracetamol.

Prescription drugs are medications that require a doctor's prescription to be obtained. Examples include antibiotics and antipsychotics.

A pharmacopoeia is a book that lists established and officially approved drugs along with their characteristics and identification methods.

<p>Drugs can have chemical names, nonproprietary names, and proprietary names.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A formulary provides information about available drugs, including their uses, dosages, and adverse effects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The INN is a nonproprietary name assigned to a drug by WHO and its member countries, ensuring universal recognition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The development costs of such drugs often exceed the revenue generated from sales due to low market demand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nonproprietary names are standardized names assigned by recognized authorities, while chemical names describe the molecular structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Diuretics primarily work by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased urine output. They are indicated for conditions like hypertension and edema.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Anticoagulants work by inhibiting various factors in the coagulation cascade, thus preventing clot formation. Common indications include deep vein thrombosis and atrial fibrillation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system regulates blood pressure through vasoconstriction and fluid retention. Medications targeting this system, like ACE inhibitors, help lower hypertension.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Common side effects of beta-blockers include fatigue, dizziness, and bradycardia. They can also mask signs of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Drugs like antiplatelets and beta-blockers are used to manage myocardial infarction. Antiplatelets prevent thrombus formation while beta-blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>ACE inhibitors block the enzyme converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation. Contraindications include pregnancy and prior angioedema.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Statins and fibrates are common drugs for managing dyslipidemia, with side effects including muscle pain and liver enzyme elevation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bronchodilators and corticosteroids are commonly used, with bronchodilators relaxing airway muscles and corticosteroids reducing inflammation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Weakly acidic drugs are better absorbed in the stomach because they remain in their unionized form at acidic pH, which enhances absorption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Drug ionization significantly affects absorption; drugs that remain ionized at certain pH levels are poorly absorbed, while unionized forms are better absorbed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Intravenous administration bypasses absorption since the drug directly enters circulation, while oral administration requires absorption through the GI tract.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Food can decrease the absorption of certain drugs, such as rifampicin and levodopa, necessitating their intake on an empty stomach for better efficacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A larger absorbing surface area in the small intestine facilitates better drug absorption, while gut resection decreases this surface area and thus absorption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Concurrent drugs can either enhance or reduce absorption; for example, ascorbic acid increases oral iron absorption, while antacids decrease tetracycline absorption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Conditions like gastroenteritis lead to increased peristalsis, which can reduce drug absorption, whereas achlorhydria decreases iron absorption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Highly polar compounds are often ionized in solution, making them poorly absorbed in the GI tract, hence they are given parenterally, like gentamicin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Occupational and environmental pesticides are chemicals used to control pests in various settings, while food adulterants are harmful substances added to food to enhance its appearance or shelf life. Pesticides typically target insects or weeds, whereas adulterants can affect the safety and quality of food products.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Management of insecticide poisoning includes decontamination, supportive care, and administering specific antidotes if applicable. Rapid response is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with exposure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary treatments for heavy metal poisoning include the use of chelating agents, which bind to the metals and facilitate their excretion from the body. Common chelators are dimercaprol and EDTA, depending on the type of metal involved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vaccines are crucial in public health as they prevent the spread of infectious diseases, contributing to herd immunity and reducing morbidity and mortality rates. They protect not only vaccinated individuals but also vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Essential medicines are those that meet the priority health care needs of the population and are available at all times in adequate amounts. They are important because they ensure effective treatment for common health conditions, promoting equity in healthcare access.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Distribution refers to the reversible transfer of drugs between body-fluid compartments after absorption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pharmacogenomics studies how an individual's genetic makeup affects their response to drugs, enabling personalized medicine by tailoring therapy to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse effects. It plays a significant role in optimizing drug therapy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antiseptics are used to reduce or eliminate microbial contamination on living tissues, preventing infections during medical procedures. They are critical for maintaining hygiene and safety in healthcare environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>aVd is the hypothetical volume of body fluid in which a drug is uniformly distributed at a concentration equal to that in plasma.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is prepared by mixing a specific ratio of water, sugar, and salt to correct dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting. Its purpose is to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost in the body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A low aVd indicates that the drug is largely restricted to the vascular compartment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is primarily distributed in the extracellular fluid (ECF).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Small water-soluble molecules, like ethanol, have an aVd close to 42 L because they are distributed in total body water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hemodialysis is not useful for removal of drugs with large aVd in case of overdosage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In congestive cardiac failure, the volume of distribution may increase due to an increase in extracellular fluid volume or decrease due to reduced tissue perfusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In uraemia, total body water can increase, leading to an increased volume of distribution for small water-soluble drugs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Neonates conjugate chloramphenicol more slowly due to diminished hepatic enzyme activity, leading to grey baby syndrome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Liver cirrhosis impairs the metabolism of diazepam, increasing its duration of action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genetic differences classify individuals as slow or fast acetylators, impacting the incidence of side effects and the required dosage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Patients with atypical pseudocholinesterase metabolize succinylcholine slowly, leading to prolonged respiratory paralysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Enzyme induction is the increased synthesis of microsomal enzymes from repeated drug administration; rifampicin is an example.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Elderly patients often have decreased hepatic metabolism, leading to an accumulation of these drugs in their system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>G6PD is crucial for maintaining red blood cell integrity, and deficiency may lead to hemolysis when exposed to certain drugs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Poor nutrition can decrease enzyme function, impairing the metabolism of certain drugs.</p> Signup and view all the answers