Overview of Pharmacology and Drug Types
Pharmacology Basics
- Study of interactions between living organisms and chemicals.
- Focuses on composition, properties, reactions, interactions, and effects of chemicals on living organisms.
What are Drugs?
- Substances used to prevent or treat conditions or diseases.
- Sources:
- Plants: e.g., Digitalis
- Animals: e.g., Hormones
- Synthesized in a lab: e.g., Methotrexate
Subspecialties of Pharmacology
- Medicinal Chemistry: Synthesis of new drugs.
- Molecular Pharmacology: Interaction of drugs and subcellular substances.
- Chemotherapy: Drugs that destroy microorganisms, parasites, malignant cells.
- Toxicology: Harmful effects of drugs.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics: Study of a drug's effects in the body.
- Pharmacokinetics: Study of a drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the body.
Routes of Drug Administration
| Route | Description |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Oral | Taken by mouth |
| Sublingual| Placed under the tongue |
| Rectal | Inserted into the rectum |
| Parenteral| Administered via injection (e.g., ID, IM, IV) |
| Inhalation| Breathed in (e.g., asthma medication) |
| Topical | Applied to the skin (e.g., lotion or cream) |
Drug Names
- Chemical Name: Exact chemical makeup (e.g., C8H9NO2).
- Generic Name: Legal and scientific name (e.g., Acetaminophen).
- Brand Name: Commercial name (e.g., Tylenol).
Classes of Drugs
| Class | Description |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| Analgesics | Pain relievers |
| Anesthetics | Numbing agents |
| Antibiotics | Infection fighters |
| Anticoagulants | Blood thinners |
| Anti-convulsants | Seizure preventers |
| Antidepressants | Mood stabilizers |
| Anti-diabetics | Blood sugar regulators |
| Antihistamines | Allergy relievers |
| Anti-osteoporosis| Bone strengtheners |
| Cardiovascular | Heart and blood vessel medications |
| Endocrine | Hormone regulators |
| GI | Digestive system medications |
| Respiratory | Breathing medications |
| Sedatives | Calming agents |
| Stimulants | Energy boosters |
| Tranquilizers | Anxiety relievers |
Cardiovascular Drugs
- Angiotensin II: Blood pressure regulators
- Anti-arrhythmic: Heart rhythm regulators
- Beta blockers: Heart rate regulators
- Calcium: Heart muscle strengtheners
- Cholesterol lowering: Lipid regulators
- Diuretic: Fluid reducers
Endocrine Drugs
- Estrogens: Female hormone regulators
- Testosterone: Male hormone regulators
- Glucose: Blood sugar regulators
- Steroids: Inflammation reducers
- Thyroid: Thyroid hormone regulators
- Selective estrogen receptor: Hormone regulators
- Progesterone: Female hormone regulators
- Androgens: Male hormone regulators
GI Drugs
- Antacids: Acid reducers
- Anti-ulcers: Stomach protectors
- Anti-diarrheal: Bowel regulators
- Cathartics: Laxatives
- Anti-nausea: Nausea relievers
- Anti-emetics: Vomiting preventers
Drug Actions and Interactions
- Receptor: Target of a drug
- Additive Action: Combination of two similar drugs with equal effects
- Antagonist Action: Combination of two drugs with less than additive effects
- Synergistic Action: Combination of two drugs with greater than additive effects
- Tolerance: Need for increased doses to achieve the same effect
- Addiction: Physical and psychological dependence
Drug Terminology
- Anaphylaxis: Exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction
- Antidote: Agent to counteract unwanted drug effect
- Brand Name: Commercial name of a drug
- Chemical Name: Exact chemical makeup of a drug
- Contraindications: Factors preventing drug use
- Control Substances: Drugs with tolerance, dependence, abuse potential
- Dependence: Physiological need for a drug
- Dose: Amount of drug administered
Definitions
- Dependence: Need for a substance to function normally
- FDA: U.S. agency enforcing drug manufacturing and usage standards
- Idiosyncratic Reaction: Unusual effect in sensitive patients
Routes of Administration (Detailed)
| Route | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| Inhalation| Gaseous or vapor form administration |
| Oral | By mouth |
| Paraenteral| Injection into skin, muscles, veins |
| Rectal | Through anus into rectum |
| Sublingual| Under the tongue |
| Topical | Locally to skin or mucous membranes |
Pharmacology Terms
- Pharmacodynamics: Study of drug effects in the body
- Pharmacokinetics: Study of drug processes over time
- Pharmacologist: Drug properties and side effects specialist
- Receptor: Drug interaction target
- Resistance: Lack of beneficial drug response
- Response: Desired drug effect
- Schedule: Timing and frequency of administration
- Side Effect: Routine minor adverse reaction
- Synergism: Greater combined drug effect
- Tolerance: Need for larger doses
- Toxicity: Harmful drug effects
Medical Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| Analgesic | Without sensitivity to pain |
| Anaphylaxis | Hypersensitivity to foreign protein, antigen, drug |
| Antidote | Agent counteracting drug effect |
| Antipyretic | Fever reliever |
| Anti-histamine| Against histamine production |
| Broncho- | Pertaining to bronchial tube |
| Cutaneous | Pertaining to skin |
| Derm- | Pertaining to skin |
| Erg- | Pertaining to work |
| Hypo- | Under |
| Hypno- | Sleep |
| Lingual | Tongue |
| Micro- | Mold and fungus |
| Narco- | Producing stupor |
| Para- | Beside or beyond |
| Pharmaco- | Drug |
| Pruritus | Itching |
| Vaso- | Vessel |
| Vita- | Life |
Medical Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|--------------|------------------------------------------|
| APAP | Acetaminophen |
| ARB | Angiotensin receptor blocker |
| bid | Twice a day |
| cc | Cubic centimeter |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| gm | Gram |
| gtt | Drops |
| h | Hour |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| INH | Isoniazid |
| IV | Intravenous |
| MAO | Monomine oxidase inhibitor |
| mg | Milligram |
| ml | Milliliter |
| NSAID | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| p.o. | By mouth |
| PCA | Patient-controlled analgesia |
| PDR | Physician's Desk Reference |
| prn | As needed |
| pt | Patient |
| q | Every |
| qid | Four times a day |
| qs | Sufficient quantity |
| rx | Prescription |
| s | Without |
| SERM | Selective estrogen receptor modulator |
| sl | Sublingual |
| sos | If necessary |
| SSRI | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| sq | Subcutaneous |
| tab | Tablet |
| TCA | Tricyclic antidepressant |
| tid | Three times a day |
Common Drugs
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Pain and fever reducer
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Anti-inflammatory, pain reliever
- Morphine: Strong pain medication, addictive
- Amoxicillin: Antibiotic
- Cipro: Antibiotic
- Heparin: Blood thinner
- Albuterol: Bronchodilator for asthma
- Benadryl: Antihistamine
- Claritin: Antihistamine
- Icy Hot: Topical analgesic