Pharmacology Fundamentals

The study of the interaction of drugs with living organisms, including history, source, properties, dosage, administration, absorption, distribution, action, biotransformation, excretion, uses, and effects.

A chemical substance used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

The time required for the body to eliminate 50% of a drug.

Evaluation of the pharmacological action of drugs, their administration, and safe dosage range in humans through clinical trials.

Chemicals that alter the functions of living organisms, generally given for the management, prevention, control, or cure of disease.

The science of identification, selection, preservation, standardization, compounding, and dispensing of medical substances.

The effect of drugs upon microorganisms, parasites, and neoplastic cells living and multiplying in living organisms.

The science of poisons; many drugs can act as poisons if taken in large doses, causing harmful, dangerous, or fatal symptoms.

An official code containing a selected list of established drugs and medical preparations with descriptions of their physical properties, and tests of their identity, purity, and potency.

Drugs that depress cerebral function by inducing unconsciousness, usually administered intravenously or through inhalation.

Medicines that block the impulses of sensory nerve fibers, producing instant pain relief in the area of administration without affecting consciousness; usually administered intradermally or subcutaneously.

Local anesthetic drugs injected into the spinal column to block sensory impulses below the lumbar region without interfering with consciousness, often given with narcotic drugs.

Drugs that decrease sodium and water reabsorption by the renal tubules, increasing solute excretion and urinary output.

Diuretics that increase the urinary output volume and reduce sodium (salt) loss.

Diuretics that reduce potassium loss while increasing sodium (Na+) and water (H2O) loss.

Drugs that suppress all inflammatory processes in the body, used with caution due to their potential to suppress the body's defense against pathogenic bacterial invasion.

Drugs that calm patients who present with hyperactivity, excitement, or confusion.

Tranquilizers that have relaxing and tranquilizing effects on patients with anxiety, tension, and fears.

Tranquilizers used in patients with severe symptoms of anxiety, tension, and confusion.

Drugs used to treat depression and illnesses linked to unfortunate domestic and social conditions.

Drugs that provoke vomiting, divided into reflex and central types.

Emetics that induce vomiting by irritating the stomach, e.g., warm salty water.

Emetics that induce vomiting by directly irritating the vomiting center in the brain.

Drugs used to stop vomiting.

Drugs that stimulate gastric secretion and cause vasodilation of capillaries and arterioles.

Drugs that antagonize the action of histamines, often with antiemetic effects and causing drowsiness.

Drugs that loosen stools or increase peristaltic movement to promote bowel evacuation, classified into bulky, emollient, and irritant types.

Drugs used in the treatment of fungal infections, mostly for topical applications.

Drugs used in the treatment of worm infestations.

Drugs used in the treatment of malaria, administered orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.

Drugs that provide protection against certain communicable diseases, divided into toxoids, sera, and antigens.

Substances given to bring about active immunity, prompting the body to produce antibodies against bacteria or toxins; mainly used for prophylaxis.

Preparations that provide passive immunity, often given for treatment, such as tetanus toxoid 0.5ml IM.

Substances used for diagnostic purposes.

Drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Scientific study of the use of drugs in the treatment of disease.

Study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.

The primary effect of a drug.

All other effects, produced by the drug whether desirable or undesirable.

The organs or tissues where drugs exert their greatest action at the cellular level.