 Drug- is a substance used to prevent or cure a disease or ailment or to

alleviate its symptoms.

 Pharmacology- the branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects,
and modes of action of drugs.
 Pharmacokinetics- study of the time course of drug absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion.
 Pharmacotherapeutics- the clinical purpose or indication for giving a drug.
 Mechanism of Action- biochemical process through which a drug produces
its effect.
 Therapeutic Indication- primary information on the use of a medicine.
 Side Effects- a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical
treatment.
 Adverse Effects- unexpected medical problem that happens during
treatment with a drug or other therapy.
 Contraindication- specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery
should not be used because it may be harmful to the person.
 Drug Toxicity- level of damage that a compound can cause to an organism.

Phases of Clinical Trial

1. Preclinical Testing- laboratory tests, research protocol, animal testing.

2. Clinical Research- dose finding, proof of concept, comparative efficacy.
3. Final Data Analysis
4. Follow up- new therapy shown to be safe and effective, approval by medical
authorities, continuing testing.

Categorizing Drugs

1. According to body systems- CNS drugs, Cardiovascular drugs, Respiratory

drugs, Kidney drugs
2. According to therapeutic use- Antacids, Antibiotics, Antihypertensive,
diuretics, or laxatives
3. According to chemical and physiological actions- Anticholinergics, Beta-
adrenergic blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Cholinergics.
Pregnancy Category

1. Category A- Adequate studies in pregnant women have not demonstrated a

risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, and no evidence of risk
in late trimester. Example include multivitamins
2. Category B- Animal studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus but
there are no adequate studies in pregnant human or Animal studies have
shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant humans have not
demonstrated a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, and no
evidence of risk in late trimester Examples include certain antibiotics such
Amoxicillin and Penicillin
3. Category C- There is evidence of human fetal risk, but the potential
benefits from the use of the drug in pregnant women may be acceptable
despite its potential risks Examples include Tetracyclines, Chemotherapy
drugs, ACE inhibitors
4. Category X- Teratogenic. Evidence of fetal harm is established. May cause
congenital disease or death of the fetus. Example includes contraceptive
drugs

Substance Abuse Category

1. Classification I Schedule 1 (S1)- Drugs or substances that have a high

potential for abuse; no currently accepted medical use and have a lack of
accepted safety for use under medical supervision. (heroin, marijuana)
2. Classification II Schedule 2 (S2) : (Yellow prescription drugs)- Drugs or
substances that have a high potential for abuse; currently have an accepted
medical use in treatment but with severe restrictions; abuse may lead to
severe psychological or physical dependence. (narcotics, amphetamines,
barbiturates). purchaser must be at least 18 years old, and all transactions
must be recorded by the dispensing pharmacist.
3. Classification III Schedule 3 (S3)- Drugs or substances that have a
potential for abuse less than Schedule I or II; currently have an accepted
medical use; abuse may lead to moderate or low physical and high
psychological dependence. (some sedatives, anti-anxiety and non-narcotic
analgesics)
4. Classification IV Schedule 4 (S4)- Drugs or substances that have a low
potential for abuse relative to those listed in Schedule III; currently have
an accepted medical use; abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological
dependence those in schedule III.
5. Classification V Schedule 5 (S5)- Drugs or substances that have a low
potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV; may not need prescription by a
doctor (Over-the-Counter or OTC drugs).