Pharma

• What is pharmacology?

  The science examining drugs' composition and effects
• How were drugs historically derived?

  From plants
• What has changed in drug synthesis since the 20th century?

  Many drugs are now synthesized in laboratories
• What does Section 18 of the NMC Code state about health care professionals?

  • Dispense and administer medicines within training
  • Follow legal constraints and local policy frameworks
• Why is knowledge of patient health important for healthcare professionals?

  To ensure understanding of the patient's health needs
• What should be considered regarding compatibility of medicines?

  They should not conflict with other treatments
• How must medications be stored?

  Securely and appropriately
• What are the principles for the administration of medicines?

  • Understand therapeutic uses, dosage, side effects
  • Assess patient's condition and existing therapies
  • Knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• What is therapeutic knowledge in medicine administration?

  Understanding uses, dosage, side effects
• Why is contextual consideration important in medicine administration?

  To assess patient's condition and therapies
• What do pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics refer to?

  How drugs are processed and affect the body
• What are the characteristics of the perfect drug?

  • Safety: No harmful side effects
  • Effectiveness: Provides beneficial therapeutic effect
  • Selectivity: Produces required response without extra side effects
• What does pharmacokinetics study?

  How the body processes drugs
• What are the phases of pharmacokinetics?

  1. Absorption: Drug enters bloodstream
  2. Distribution: Drug spreads through body fluids
  3. Metabolism: Drug structure altered, mainly in liver
  4. Excretion: Drug removal from body
• Where is most oral drug absorption primarily done?

  In the small intestine
• What is first-pass metabolism?

  Reduction of drug efficacy in the liver
• How do sub-lingual drugs differ in absorption?

  They bypass first-pass metabolism
• What does distribution in pharmacokinetics involve?

  How drugs spread through body fluids
• What happens to fat-soluble drugs in the body?

  They accumulate in adipose tissue
• What is the role of the blood-brain barrier?

  Separates brain tissue from blood supply
• What is the difference between bound and unbound drug molecules?

  Bound drugs are inactive; unbound can exert effects
• Where does metabolism primarily occur?

  In the liver
• What are the outcomes of drug metabolism?

  Deactivation, new metabolites, increased water solubility
• Where else can drugs be metabolized besides the liver?

  Gastrointestinal tract, plasma, and lungs
• How is excretion primarily achieved for water-soluble drugs?

  Through the kidneys
• What are other routes of drug excretion?

  Bile, tears, sweat, and breath
• What does pharmacodynamics study?

  How drugs affect the body biochemically
• What is the mechanism of action in pharmacodynamics?

  How drugs bind to specific sites in the body
• What are binding sites in pharmacodynamics?

  Receptors, enzymes, and carrier molecules
• What do agonists do?

  Activate receptors to produce a response
• What is the role of antagonists?

  Bind to receptors without provoking a response
• How do some drugs act on enzymes?

  By inhibiting enzymes and decreasing activity
• What does ibuprofen inhibit?

  Cyclooxygenase (COX)
• What do transporter proteins do?

  Facilitate movement across cell membranes
• What type of drug is citalopram?

  A Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
• How do anti-depressants like citalopram exert their effects?

  By relying on transporter proteins