Pharmacology Overview

Definition

• Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on biological systems.

Key Concepts

1. Drug Classification

   • Pharmaceuticals: Drugs used for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease.
   • Recreational Drugs: Substances used for pleasure rather than medical purposes.
   • Over-the-Counter (OTC): Medications available without a prescription.
   • Prescription Drugs: Medications that require a doctor's prescription.

2. Pharmacokinetics

   • Absorption: How drugs enter the bloodstream.
   • Distribution: How drugs are dispersed throughout the body.
   • Metabolism: How drugs are chemically altered by the body (primarily in the liver).
   • Excretion: How drugs are eliminated from the body (mainly through urine and feces).

3. Pharmacodynamics

   • Study of the effects of drugs on the body.
   • Involves understanding drug-receptor interactions and the mechanisms of action.

4. Therapeutic Index

   • A measure of drug safety; the ratio of toxic dose to effective dose.
   • A higher index indicates a safer drug.

5. Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

   • Side effects: Unintended effects that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effect.
   • Adverse reactions: Harmful or unintended responses to a drug.

6. Drug Interactions

   • Occur when one drug affects the activity of another, which can lead to increased or decreased drug effects.

Important Terms

• Agonist: A drug that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.
• Antagonist: A drug that blocks or dampens the effects of an agonist.
• Bioavailability: The proportion of a drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and is available for action.

Routes of Administration

• Oral: Taken by mouth, absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Intravenous (IV): Delivered directly into the bloodstream for immediate effect.
• Intramuscular (IM): Injected into a muscle, allowing for slower absorption.
• Subcutaneous: Injected into the tissue beneath the skin.
• Topical: Applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes.

Regulatory Aspects

• FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the approval and monitoring of drugs.
• Clinical Trials: Phases (I-IV) that test drugs for safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing before they can be marketed.

Current Trends

• Personalized medicine: Tailoring treatment based on individual genetic makeup.
• Biologics: A growing field focused on drugs derived from living organisms, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Summary

Pharmacology is critical for understanding how drugs work, their therapeutic uses, potential side effects, and the importance of proper dosing and administration routes. It plays a vital role in developing safe and effective medications.

Definition

• Pharmacology studies drugs and their effects on biological systems.

Key Concepts

• Drug Classification

  • Pharmaceuticals facilitate diagnosis, treatment, or disease prevention.
  • Recreational drugs are used primarily for enjoyment, not for medicinal purposes.
  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications can be purchased without a prescription.
  • Prescription drugs require a doctor's authorization for use.

• Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption refers to how drugs enter the bloodstream.
  • Distribution describes the dispersion of drugs throughout the body.
  • Metabolism involves the biochemical alteration of drugs, largely occurring in the liver.
  • Excretion is the elimination of drugs from the body, primarily via urine and feces.

• Pharmacodynamics

  • Investigates the effects of drugs on the body, including drug-receptor interactions and action mechanisms.

• Therapeutic Index

  • The therapeutic index measures drug safety, indicating the ratio of toxic dose to effective dose; a higher ratio suggests a safer drug.

• Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

  • Side effects are unintended effects accompanying the therapeutic effect.
  • Adverse reactions are harmful or unintended responses to a drug.

• Drug Interactions

  • Occur when one drug influences the action of another, potentially altering effectiveness.

Important Terms

• Agonist: A substance that activates receptors to elicit a biological response.
• Antagonist: A substance that inhibits or blocks the action of an agonist.
• Bioavailability: The measure of a drug’s presence in circulation after administration, indicating its availability for action.

Routes of Administration

• Oral: Ingested and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Intravenous (IV): Directly entered into the bloodstream for immediate effects.
• Intramuscular (IM): Injected into muscle tissue for gradual absorption.
• Subcutaneous: Administered into the tissue beneath the skin.
• Topical: Applied directly to skin or mucous membranes for local effects.

Regulatory Aspects

• FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversees drug approval and monitoring processes.
• Clinical Trials: Involves phases (I-IV) to evaluate drug safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing prior to market release.

Current Trends

• Personalized medicine focuses on customizing treatments to individual genetic profiles.
• Biologics are an emerging sector centered on drugs derived from living systems, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Summary

• Pharmacology is essential for comprehending drug mechanisms, therapeutic applications, potential adverse effects, and the significance of appropriate dosing and administration methods, ensuring the development of safe and effective medications.