LEC 1

• Definition of Terms:

  • Pharmacology is the science and study of the physical and chemical properties, modes of action, and biological fate of drugs
  • Etiology: Pharmakon (Greek) = drugs, Logos (Latin) = study
• General Use of Drugs:

  • Diagnosis: Brugada syndrome is treated with Na channel blocking drugs like procainamide
  • Prevention: Aspirin is used to prevent intravascular clot formation
  • Therapy: Antibacterials are used for bacterial infections
  • Purposeful Alteration: Anesthetics alter body functions
• Food as Medicine vs. Food as Drug:

  • Food is ingested to provide taste, aroma, and nutritive value
  • Drugs are chemical agents other than food intended to affect the structure/function of the individual
  • Example: Coffee can be considered both food and drug
• Nutraceutical:

  • 1989: Nutrition + Pharmaceutical
  • Nutritional products provide medical/health benefits with active compounds sourced from food and herbs
  • Examples include antioxidants, dietary fiber, cancer prevention compounds, and Omega-3 fatty acids
• Veterinary Drugs:

  • Used for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, and prevention in terrestrial & aquatic animals
• Official Sources of Drug Information:

  • Pharmacopoeia: Compilation of medicinal substances with preparation, use, and dosages
  • Formulary: Information on drugs, pharmaceutical products, and formulated products in each respective country
• Key Personalities in Pharmacology:

  • Paracelsus: Grandfather of Pharmacology and Toxicology, advocated for drugs with specific purposes
  • Oswald Schmiedeberg: Father of Modern Pharmacology, introduced fundamental concepts like Glucuronidation
• Important Figures in Pharmacological Development:

  • Dioscorides: Produced one of the first material medica
  • William Withering: Documented the Foxglove
  • Fredrerich Serturner: Isolated morphine, the first pure drug
  • Paul Ehrlich: Developed the concept of chemotherapy
• Brief History of Veterinary Pharmacology:

  • Veterinary records date back to 500 BC in Ancient India, Mesopotamia, and Egypt
  • Veterinary colleges and hospitals were established in European countries in response to epidemics
  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) was founded in 1791 as a regulatory body in the UK
• Materia Medica:

  • Collection of knowledge on the therapeutic effects of substances used for healing
  • Authors include Dioscorides and Galen
• Divisions of Pharmacology:

  • Pharmacy: Developing, preparing, compounding, and dispensing drugs
  • Pharmacognosy: Focuses on sources and physiochemical properties of drugs
  • Pharmacokinetics: Study of drug movement within the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
• Categories of Pharmacology:

  • Molecular Pharmacology: Studies basic mechanisms of drug action on biological systems
  • Clinical Pharmacology: Provides data on potency, usefulness, doses, and toxicity of new drugs for safe clinical use
• Drug Classes Based on System Affected:

  • Include categories like Nervous System, Urinary, Endocrine, Respiratory, Reproductive, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, and more
• Drug Classes Based on Clinical Use:

  • Sedatives, Anesthetics, Analgesics
  • Cholinergics, Anticholinergics
  • Antimicrobials, Antidotes to poisons
  • Nutritional supplements, Pesticides