Pharmacology Overview and Drug Classifications

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Questions and Answers

What does the superscription in a medical prescription consist of?

Heading where the symbol Rx is located (correct)

List of prescribed medications

Patient's medical history

Medical instructions for the pharmacist

Which class of anticoagulants is known to primarily prevent venous thromboembolism?

Direct thrombin inhibitors

Low molecular weight heparins (correct)

Vitamin K antagonists

Oral anticoagulants

What is the main function of anticoagulants?

To dissolve existing clots

To inhibit clot formation (correct)

To increase blood pressure

To promote blood clotting

Which of the following is a direct thrombin inhibitor?

Dabigatran Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug is specifically used to prevent a disease from occurring?

Prophylactic drug Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of first-generation antihistamines?

They have anticholinergic properties Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is an example of an oral anticoagulant?

Warfarin Signup and view all the answers

Which drug category indicates no adverse effects in animal studies but lacks human studies?

Category B Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for a drug to be approved by the FDA after clinical trials?

2.5 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using generic names in prescriptions?

To simplify the prescribing process Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'PRN order' in a medical prescription indicate?

A medication to be used as needed Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of therapeutic drugs classified as curative?

To treat the disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of generic drugs?

Not owned by any drug company Signup and view all the answers

What does the pregnancy category 'X' indicate?

Risks outweigh benefits and may cause abortion Signup and view all the answers

Which drug classification is typically purchased without a prescription?

Non-prescription drugs Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug is referred to as 'illicit'?

Drugs that are abused and illegal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a second-generation antihistamine?

Chlorpheniramine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of nasal decongestants?

Produce vascular constriction of nasal mucosa Signup and view all the answers

What type of antitussive is Dextromethorphan classified as?

Non-narcotic antitussive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of intranasal glucocorticoids?

Beclomethasone Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of drugs is NOT used for treating respiratory disorders?

Narcotic analgesics Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bronchodilator is primarily associated with increasing cAMP?

Sympathomimetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of expectorants in respiratory therapy?

Loosen bronchial secretions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is a methylxanthine used in asthma treatment?

Aminophylline Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pharmacology

The study of how drugs affect living tissue and how those chemicals prevent and diagnose disease.
Also, the study of drug mechanisms of action.
It encompasses what drugs do to the body and how drugs move through the body.
It also covers how the body responds to drugs.

Drug Classifications

Prophylactic/Preventive: Prevents disease.
Diagnostic: Helps detect the cause of disease.
Therapeutic:
- Curative: Treats diseases.
- Palliative: Does not treat the disease itself but manages symptoms.
- Supportive: Helps sustain the patient.
- Substitutive: Replaces a missing substance.
- Restorative: Helps the body return to its normal healing state.
Prescription Drugs: Ordered by a physician.
Non-Prescription Drugs/Over-the-Counter Drugs: Available without a prescription.
Investigational Drugs: Drugs under investigation, not yet approved.
Illicit Drugs/Illegal Drugs: Abused drugs.

Drug Names

Official Name: Listed in official drug references.
Chemical Name: Describes the drug's chemical structure.
Generic Name: Not owned by any drug company.
Proprietary Name/Brand Name: Trademarked by the manufacturer.

Drug Development

Requires extensive research on how drugs work.
Undergoes three stages of clinical trials before FDA approval:
- Pre-clinical Trials: Tested on animals.
- Phase I: Tested on 20-80 volunteers for about a year.
- Phase II: Tested on 100-300 volunteers for about two years.
- Phase III: Tested on 1000-3000 patients in clinics and hospitals for about three years.
Takes approximately 2.5 years for FDA approval.

Pregnancy Categories (1979)

Defined potential risks of birth defects from drugs during pregnancy.
- Category A: Safe for use in pregnancy.
- Category B: Safe in animals, but no human studies.
- Category C: Adverse effects observed in animal studies, limited human data.
- Category D: Adverse effects in humans, benefits outweigh risks.
- Category X: Risks outweigh benefits, causes abortion.

Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Final Rule (PLLR)

Replaced pregnancy categories in 2015.
Removed by 2018.

Relevant Drug Laws

Generic Act of 1988 (RA 6675): Ensures production of an adequate drug supply.
Administrative Order No. 62 S. 1989: Implements rules and regulations for prescribing, including using generic names in all prescriptions.

Prescription Parts

Superscription: Heading with the symbol Rx.
Inscription: Body of the prescription, containing the drug name and dosage.
Subscription: Directions for the pharmacist.
Signature: Specific instructions for the patient.
Order Types:
- Single order: Given once.
- PRN order: As needed.
- STAT order: Immediately.

Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Used to restore a normal cardiac rhythm.

Cardiac Dysrhythmias

Prinzmetal Angina

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Anticoagulants

Prevent blood clot formation.
- Venous Problems: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Arterial Problems: Coronary thrombosis or myocardial infarction (MI).

Anticoagulant Classifications

Heparin (Heparin Sodium): Natural liver substance introduced in 1938.
- Used to prevent clotting in blood transfusions and open heart surgery.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins: Introduced to prevent venous thromboembolism.
- Inhibits factor Xa, but less effective in inactivating thrombin.
- Examples: Enoxaparin sodium, Dalteparin sodium.
Fondaparinux: Once-daily subcutaneous (SQ) injection.
Direct Thrombin Inhibitors: Directly inhibit thrombin's conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.
- More expensive than other anticoagulants.
- Examples: Argatroban, Bivalirudin, Lepirudin, Desirudin, Dabigatran.
Oral Anticoagulants:
- Warfarin: Oral anticoagulant from the coumarin family.
  - Inhibits Vitamin K synthesis in the liver, affecting clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.
- Factor Xa Inhibitors: Block clotting factor Xa activity.
  - Examples: Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Edoxaban.

Thrombolytics

Break down existing blood clots.

Histamine Antagonists

Compete with histamine for receptor sites, preventing histamine responses.
- Decrease nasopharyngeal secretions by blocking H1 receptors.

Antihistamines

First-Generation Antihistamines:
- Anticholinergic properties, causing dryness of mouth and decreased secretions.
- Examples: Brompheniramine maleate, Chlorpheniramine maleate, Clemastine fumarate, Diphenhydramine, Cyproheptadine HCl, Levocitirizine (Xyzal), Chlorcyclizine.
Second-Generation Antihistamines:
- Non-sedating, little to no effect on sedation.
- Examples: Azelastine, Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, Loratadine, Desloratadine.

Nasal and Systemic Decongestants

Nasal Decongestants: Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, constricting nasal capillaries.
Systemic Decongestants (Alpha Adrenergic Agonists):
- Used for allergic rhinitis.
- Longer-lasting relief than nasal decongestants.
- Examples: Ephedrine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine, Oxymetazoline, Naphazoline, Tetrahydrozoline.

Intranasal Glucocorticoids

Effective for treating allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
Examples: Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Flunisolide, Fluticasone, Triamcinolone.

Antitussives

Suppress the cough reflex by acting on the cough control center in the medulla.
Used for non-productive and irritating coughs.
Types:
- Narcotic Antitussives:
  - Examples: Codeine, Dextromethorpan, Homatropine and Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin and codeine.
- Non-Narcotic Antitussives:
  - Do not depress respiration.
  - Examples: Benzonatate.

Expectorants

Loosen bronchial secretions for coughing.
Example: Guaifenesin.

Drugs for Acute and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disorders

Bronchodilators: Dilate bronchioles to improve airflow.
- Sympathomimetics:
  - Increase cAMP, causing bronchodilation.
  - cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, activates target enzymes in cells.
  - Examples: Albuterol, Metaproterenol, Isoproterenol, Levalbuterol, Salmeterol, Terbutaline Sulfate, Arformoterol, Indacaterol, Olodaterol.
- Methylxanthines:
  - Used for asthma treatment.
  - Examples: Aminophylline, Theophylline (maintenance), Doxophylline.
- Anticholinergics:
  - Dilate bronchi and decrease bronchial secretions.
  - Examples: Ipratropium bromide, Glycopyrrolate, Aclidinium, Tiotropium.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of pharmacology, focusing on how drugs affect living tissues, their classifications, and types. Participants will explore various drug classifications such as prophylactic, therapeutic, and prescription drugs, gaining a deeper understanding of their roles in disease prevention and treatment.