Basic Pharmacology

Drugs
Pharmacology

 Basic Principles
 Study of drugs
 Actions
 Dosage
 Therapeutic
uses
(indications)
 Adverse effects
Pharmacology

 Directly linked to the

pathophysiology of a particular
disease
 Drug = a substance that alters
biologic activity in a person
 May be from natural sources
 Plants, animals, microorganisms
 May be synthesized
Pharmacology

 Drugs may be prescribed to:

 Promote healing
 Cure disease
 Control or slow progression of disease
 Prevent disease
 Decrease risk of complications
 Increase comfort level
 Reduce excessive activity in the body
 sedative
Pharmacology

 Drug Effects
 Therapeutic or desired action
 Stimulating or inhibiting cell function
or block the effects of biochemicals in
the tissues
 antihistamine
 Physical or mechanical action
 laxative
Pharmacology

 Unwanted effects on the body

 Mild- side effects
 Antihistamines may cause dry mouth
 Dangerous or cause tissue
damage, or are life threatening-
adverse or toxic effects
 Excessive bleeding
Pharmacology

 Over the counter

 OTC
 Drugs that an individual can purchase
without a “note” from their doctor.
 Still recommended that a doctor be consulted
when there are other medical conditions or
prescriptions being taken

 Prescription
 The “note” that the doctor writes that
details the dosage and instructions
Pharmacology

 Adverse effects
 Hypersensitivity
or allergic
reactions
 Rash to
anaphylaxis
 Patient should
stop taking the
drug and the
physician
should be
contacted
Pharmacology

 Idiosyncratic
 Unusual or
unexpected
reactions to
drugs
 Example
 excessive
excitement
after taking a
sedative
Pharmacology

 Iatrogenic
 Negative effects
on the body due
to:
 medication
error,
 drug overdose
or
 unusual
response
Pharmacology

 Teratogenic
 Harmful effects
on the fetus
leading to
developmental
defects
Pharmacology

 Interactions
 Drug’s effect is
modified by
combining it
with:
 another drug
 Food
 Other
substance
 Aspirin
 Antacids
 alcohol
Pharmacology

 Synergism
 When the combination increases the
effects of what has been taken
 Can be life threatening

 Antagonism
 When the combination of drugs
decreases the effects
 The presence of an antagonist prevents the
patient from receiving the beneficial action of
a drug
 REQUIRED AS AN ANTIDOTE
Pharmacology

 Administration of drugs
 Dosage
 Amount of drug required to produce
the specific desired effect in an adult
 Usually expressed by weight or measure
and a time factor (number of times per
day)
Pharmacology

 Administration of Drugs
 Loading dose
 A large first dose or first dose by
injection to reach effective drug
levels quickly
 Dosage
 Important to maintain effective blood
levels
Pharmacology

 Administration of Drugs
 Based upon
 Absorption
 Transport in the blood

 Half-life of the particular drug

 More is NOT Better!

 It may be toxic!
Pharmacology

 Major routes for drug

administration
 Oral
 Parenteral (injection)

 Other methods
 Inhalation
 Brochodilator, absorption into blood

 Topical

 rectal
Pharmacology

 Some drugs
may only be
administered
through one
route
 Insulin
 Would be
destroyed by
gastric
enzymes if
ingested
Pharmacology

 Generic Names
 Unique official
simple name for
a specific drug
 Considered
easy to
remember
accurately and
used in many
circumstances
Pharmacology

 Trade Names
 Proprietary name or Brand name
 A trademark name assigned by a
single manufacturer and to be used
ONLY be that manufacturer

 EXAMPLE: Generic name

“hydrocortisone”
 Trade Names:
 Cortaid, Synacort, Hydrocortone
Pharmacology

 Food and Drug Administration

FDA
 Regulates the production,
labeling, distribution, and other
aspects of drug control
Pharmacology

 Placebo
 Something used in clinical
research
 Given to the control group
 Lacks the active ingredient that is being
tested in the study