Introduction-to-Pharmacology-Student-Copy.pdf

INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY NCM 106 KIRK CYRUS NADA, BSN, RN  At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of pharmacology as applied to nursing. L...

INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY NCM 106 KIRK CYRUS NADA, BSN, RN  At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of pharmacology as applied to nursing. LEARNING 2. Demonstrate familiarity with a OBJECTIVES variety of definitions and terms commonly used in pharmacology. 3. Differentiate between various drug classifications.  What is Pharmacology? NCM 106 3 FUNDAMENTALS & CONCEPTS Pharmacology – derived from two Greek words “pharmakon” – medicine “logos” - study NCM 106 4 FUNDAMENTALS & CONCEPTS Pharmacology “is scientific study of the effects of drugs and chemicals on living organisms where a drug can be broadly defined as any chemical substance, natural or synthetic, which affects a biological system.” – University of Alberta “An experimental science; the study of changes brought about in living organisms by chemically acting substances (with the exception of foods), whether used for therapeutic purposes or not.” (Paul Ehrlich, 1901) NCM 106 5 6  FUNDAMENTALS & CONCEPTS DRUG – chemicals that are introduced into the body to cause some sort of change Greek – drogue Dutch – droog, dry Therapeutics Drugs – are called medicine; drugs used in the prevention or treatment of diseases. NCM 106 7  3 Different Names of Drugs 1. Chemical Name – describes the drug’s chemical compositions and molecular structure 2. Generic Name – most official drug compendiums to list drugs 3. Trade Name – drug’s registered trademark, and indicates its commercial use NCM 106 8 What is a generic name? Chemical name of a drug Refers to the chemical make-up rather than the advertised brand A term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising 9 What is a brand name? A drug sold by a drug company under a specific name or trademark and that is protected by a patent. 10 NCM 106 11 NCM 106 12 NCM 106 13  DRUG SOURCES 1. Natural Sources – plants, animals, and inorganic compound 2. Synthetic – chemical compounds produced in the laboratory NCM 106 14 DRUG CLASSIFICATION Drugs that have similar chemical structures Which body system they affect Their therapeutic use or clinical indications (used to treat same disease) A related mode of action Prescription or Non-prescription 15  SAMPLES OF CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitor Angiotensin II receptor antagonist ACE inhibitor Alpha-adrenergic agonist Beta blocker Dopamine agonist Dopamine antagonist Incren mimec Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug – cyclooxygenase drug Proton-pump inhibitor Renin inhibitor 16 17 DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Antibiotics – use to treat bacterial infections; work by either killing bacteria (bactericidal) or inhibiting their growth (bacteriostatic), following the body’s immune system to eliminate the bacteria more effectively. 18 Antidepressants – use to treat various mental health conditions, primarily depressions, and certain anxiety disorders; work by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which are believed to play a role in regulating mood. 19 Antihypertensive – use to lower high blood pressure, a condition known as hypertension; these are prescribed to manage and control bp levels. 20 Antacids – OTC medications that are used to relieve symptoms of acid indigestion, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); work by neutralizing excess stomach acid, which causes discomfort and irritation in the esophagus and stomach. 21 Anticoagulants – “blood thinners”, used to prevent blood clotting in the circulatory system; used to treat and prevent various medical conditions related to abnormal blood clotting. 22 Analgesics – primarily designed to relieve pain; work by reducing the perception of pain, either by acting directly on the CNS or by affecting the PNS. There are different types of analgesics, each with its mechanism of action and recommended uses. 23 Antidiabetic Agents – used to manage and control blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition wherein sugar (glucose) levels are elevated due to either inadequate insulin production or reduced sensitivity to insulin; these help regulate blood sugar to prevent complications. 24 Antipsychotics – “neuroleptics or tranquilizers”; used to treat various psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) to help manage symptoms of psychosis – hallucination, delusion, disorganized thinking. 25 Bronchodilators – use to relax and widen the airways (bronchi and bronchioles) in the respiratory system; primarily used in the treatment of various lung conditions, particularly those involving airway constriction and narrowing; help improve airflow, making it easier to breathe. 26 Antihistamines – use to relieve allergy symptoms and symptoms of histamine-related conditions, such as fever (allergic rhinitis), hives (urticaria), and allergic conjunctivitis. They work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system in response to allergens, which can cause symptoms such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and swelling. 27 Immunosuppressant – suppresses or weakens the immune system’s activity; used in medical practice for several purposes, primarily to prevent the body’s immune response from causing harm to manage autoimmune diseases and conditions where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. 28 Drug Standard Standardization: Needed to ensure that drug products will be uniformly pure and potent. *United States Pharmacopeial Convention Inc. * A scientific, non-profit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, dietary supplements manufactured worldwide. Provides documentary standards and reference materials to safeguard the dietary supplement supply and limit adulterants and contaminants. Offers the United States Pharmacopeia and The National Formulary (USP–NF) a BOOK that contains public pharmacopeial standards and monographs. 29 Drug Information Sources 1. Drug Labels – have specific information that identifies a specific drug. It identifies the brand and generic names for the drug, the drug dosage, the expiration date, and special drug warnings. Some labels also indicate the route and dose for administration. 30 Drug Information Sources 2. Package Inserts – prepared by the manufacturer according to strict FDA regulations. It contain all of the chemical and study information that led to the drug’s approval. These are sometimes difficult to understand and are almost always in small print – difficult to read. 31 Drug Information Sources 3. Reference Books a. The Physician’s Drug Reference (PDR) – compilation of package insert information from drugs used in the country, along with some drug ad. It may not be the best source because the information is heavily cross- referenced. b. Drug Facts and Comparisons – provides a wide range of drug information (comparison, costs, patient information sections, preparation, and administration). This is organized by drug class and can be more user- friendly than the PDR. But it is cumbersome and very expensive. c. AMA (American Medical Association) Drug Evaluations – contain detailed monographs in an unbiased format and includes many new drugs and drugs still in research stage. 32 Drug Information Sources 4. Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide (LNDG) – has drug monographs organized alphabetically and includes nursing implications and patient teaching points. 5. Journals – can be used to obtain drug information. ✓ Medical Letter – a monthly review of new drugs, classes, and specific treatment protocols. ✓ The American Journal of Nursing – offers information on new drugs, drug errors, and nursing implication. 4. Internet Information – may use this as a source of medical information and advice. 33