Lesson 2

• Pharmacology


  Deals with the study of drugs and their interaction with living systems
• Importance of Studying Pharmacology
• Importance of Studying Pharmacology

  • Understand the drug
  • Know the right dosage
  • Identify and respond DI
  • Know when to use
• Drug Classes and Schedules

  Organize drugs into categories to ensure they are safe and beneficial
• Drug Classifications

  • Chemical makeup
  • Effects
  • Legal definition
• Chemical Makeup


  • Classify drugs based on chemical similarities which often have the same impact and risks
• Alcohol


  • CNS depressant, causes euphoria, lower ambitions, impaired judgment, perception, and reaction time, may lead to severe long-term liver damage
• Opioids


  • Derived from opium or synthetic chemicals, used to reduce pain, can lead to addiction
• Benzodiazepines


  • Interact with GABA-A neurotransmitter, treat mental issues and sleep conditions, produce sedation and hypnosis
• Cannabinoids


  • Have similar compounds to THC, create feelings of elation, can impact mental and physical functioning
• Barbiturates


  • Derivatives of barbituric acid, slow down the CNS, used for treating mental disorders
• THC


  The active agent in marijuana
• Effects of THC

  • Create feelings of elation, but also have a chance of negatively impacting mental and physical functioning
• Types of THC-containing substances

  • Marijuana
  • Hashish
  • Shatter
  • Distillate
• Barbiturates


  • Derivatives of barbituric acid
  • Slow down the CNS
  • Used for treating mental disorders, sleep issues, anesthesia, epilepsy, and headaches
  • Highly addictive; Can cause body systems to shut down
  • Include Amytal, Luminal, Pentobarbital
• Drug classification by impact on mind and body

  1. Depressants (Downers)

  2. Stimulants (Uppers)

  3. Hallucinogens

  4. Inhalants
• Legal Definition: The drug's schedule is based on potential medical use, potential for misuse, and addiction risk
• The federal government passed the Controlled Substance Act

  1970
• Schedule I drugs


  • Drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse
  • Examples: Heroin, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy, Methaqualone, Peyote
• Schedule II drugs

  • Drugs with a high potential for abuse, leading to severe psychological or physical dependence
  • Examples: Vicodin, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Methadone, OxyContin, Fentanyl, Adderall, Ritalin
• Schedule III drugs


  • Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence
  • Examples: Tylenol with codeine, Ketamine, Anabolic steroids, Testosterone
• Schedule IV drugs

  • Drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence
  • Examples: Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Tramadol
• Schedule V drugs

  • Drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV
  • Examples: Cough preparations with codeine, Lomotil, Lyrica
• Drug Classification Controversies: Over the years, some drugs have been reclassified
• In 2014, DEA reclassified hydrocodone from schedule III to schedule II
• Marijuana, a schedule I drug, causes debates as experts believe it has medical benefits and low risk of addiction
• In 2014, DEA reclassified hydrocodone from schedule III drug to schedule II
• Marijuana, a schedule I drug, causes well-known debates. Many experts believe it has medical benefits. It has a low risk of addiction
• Despite the evidence supporting reclassification, DEA refused to change its classification
• Medication administration


  An essential part of healthcare with many nursing responsibilities related to administering medications
• Medication administration definition


  A guide that teaches nurses and healthcare professionals the principles, rights, responsibilities, and roles expected when giving drugs to patients
• Purposes of Drug Administration

  1. To cure an illness or condition (e.g., antibiotic to cure bacterial infection)

  2. To treat a disease (e.g., taking insulin for diabetes)

  3. For symptom relief (e.g., taking antipyretic to reduce a fever)

  4. To prevent disease (e.g., getting vaccinated for a potential virus)
• Routes of Administration

  • Inhalation
  • Topical
  • Transdermal
  • Transmucosal
• Inhalation


  Medication breathed into the lungs, allows for a lower dose than is necessary with systemic delivery, management of respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, instant absorption of the drug, absorption and excretion through the lungs
• Topical


  Medication placed on the skin to treat a local skin condition, used to treat pain or other problems in specific parts of the body, used to nourish the skin and protect it from harm
• Transdermal


  Highly lipid soluble drugs applied over the skin for slow and prolonged absorption, can offer a controlled release of the drugs through the skin into the patients, adhesive patches of different sizes and shapes made to suit the area of application, duration of action is prolonged, provide constant plasma levels, patient compliance is good
• Transmucosal


  Drugs absorbed across the mucous membranes, includes sublingual, nasal, and rectal routes
• Sublingual


  Tablet or pellet containing the drug is placed under the tongue, absorption is fast (within minutes), after the desired effect is obtained, the drug can be spat out to avoid unwanted effects
• Nasal


  Drug sprayed or inhaled into the nose, usually for the local treatment of rhinitis or nasal polyposis
• Rectal


  Administered through the rectum (usually cream, ointment, or suppository), drugs absorbed from the upper part of the rectum are carried by the superior hemorrhoidal vein to the portal circulation, typically used for short-term therapy