introduction to pharmacology

• Pharmacology


  The scientific study of the origin, nature, chemistry, usage and effects of drugs
• Pharmacology


  • The word pharmacology is derived from a Greek word (pharmakon, which means medicine or drug; and logia, which mean study)
• As early as the 19th century, the Egyptians, Arabs and the Latin knew how to use medicines
• Historically, synthetic organic chemistry was born in 1828, when Friedrich Wohler synthesized urea from inorganic substances and thus demolished the vital force theory
• Importance of pharmacology


  In modern health care, there is an increasing reliance on medication therapy to manage illness and disease, slow progression and improve patient outcomes
• Principles/Branches of Pharmacology


  • Pharmacokinetic
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Pharmacotherapeutics
  • Pharmacognosy
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Toxicology
• Pharmacokinetics


  1. Absorption

  2. Distribution

  3. Metabolism

  4. Excretion
• Pharmacokinetics


  The absorption, distribution, Metabolism and excretion of a drug in the living organism
• Absorption


  The movement of a drug in liquid form and those dissolved across the membrane from one component of the body to the other at each site of action
• Distribution


  The delivery or sharing of a drug to/with different component of the body after being absorbed into the body system to their site of action
• Metabolism


  The breakdown of drugs damaging their physical effects, chemicals and biological effects
• Excretion


  The final removal of the drug from the body, mostly occurs in the kidneys and little by some other routes e.g. sweating, breast, lungs tears and genital secretions
• Pharmacodynamics


  The study of how the drugs affects the body biochemically and physiologically and how the drug works i.e. mechanism of action of drugs in the human body
• Pharmacotherapeutics

  1. Assess the problem

  2. Assess the treatment option available

  3. Select therapy

  4. Implement therapy

  5. Monitor or observe therapy

  6. Evaluate or re-asses the problem
• Pharmacognosy


  The study of natural drug sources, plants, animals or minerals and there products
• Pharmacovigilance


  The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related outcomes
• Toxicology


  The study of poisons including adverse effects of the drugs on living organism
• Bioavailability


  The amount of drug that reaches the circulatory system or the rate and extent at which the drug reaches the circulatory system
• First Pass Effects


  The metabolism or breakdown of the drug in the liver
• Prescription Drug


  A drug that can safely be used and legally only under the supervision of a health care profession who is licenced to prescribe or dispensing of drugs
• Non Prescription drugs (Over The counters) OTC


  Drugs that can be obtained without a legal prescription and can be used by the consumers safely without the supervision of a licensed health practitioner provided the consumer follows the right directions or instructions
• Controlled drugs


  A drug that can be abused or a drug that causes dependence or addiction and therefore its use is controlled
• Drug abuse


  The self directed use of drugs for non – therapeutic purposes, a practice that does not comply with the social and natural norms
• Drug dependence


  When a person cannot control drug intake, it maybe psychological, physiological or both
• Drug misuse


  The improper use of common drugs that can lead to acute and chronic toxicity with such problems such as kidney or liver damage, GIT bleeding
• Recreational drug


  A drug which is used for its pleasant physiological, psychological, physical effects with no therapeutic intent
• Half Life


  The time required for the body to eliminate 50% of the drug
• Drug Nomenclature


  • Chemical Name
  • Brand/Trade/Proprietary Name
  • Generic Name
• Chemical Name


  A name given to a drug using its chemical structure, usually long, difficult to remember and used in research purposes and drug design
• Brand/Trade/Proprietary Name


  The name given by a particular company manufacturing that product, patented and denoted with a small letter R in a circle, usually used for advertisement purposes
• Generic Name


  The name given to a drug and has been accepted world wide by the World Health Organisation (WHO), easy to remember, pronounce and recommended to be used on prescriptions