PHBS - 301 Introduction to Pharmacology

Study Notes

Basic foundation of pharmacological sciences is essential for understanding drug use in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Key aspects include drug names, sources, classifications, doses, and routes of administration.

Pharmacology may date back to 10,000–7,000 B.C.
The term "pharmacology" first used in the seventeenth century by figures such as Bernhard Naunyn, Rudolf Buchheim, and Johann Ernst Oswald Schmiedeberg.

Derived from Greek "pharmakon" (drug) and "logia" (knowledge).
Defined as the study of drug effects on living organisms, including actions, clinical uses, mechanisms, side effects, and the fate of drugs.

Medical pharmacology focuses on drugs for diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases.
Toxicology examines undesirable effects of chemicals; it's a subfield of pharmacology.
Main goals: provide solid grounding in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, and drug interactions.

Drugs modify existing body functions rather than create new ones.
No drug acts with a single action; multiple effects expected.
Drug action determined by the interaction with the body; can alter body fluids, cell membranes, or act via specific receptors.

Reversible Action: Effects should subside within a specific time.
Predictability: Responses to drugs should be anticipatable.
Ease of Administration: Should minimize dosing frequency.
Freedom from Drug Interactions: No adverse effects from simultaneous drug use.
Low Cost: Affordable options are crucial for chronic conditions.
Chemical Stability: Drugs should retain effectiveness during storage.
Simple Generic Name: Names should be easy to remember and pronounce.

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion govern how drugs reach their target sites and their overall effectiveness.

Once the drug is at the site of action, binding to specific receptors initiates a sequence leading to the desired response.

Individual variation affects drug responses based on age, sex, weight, kidney and liver functions, and genetic differences.
Patient uniqueness necessitates personalized approaches to drug therapy.