Medications

• Medication

  is a substance administered for the diagnosis, cure, treatment, or relief of a symptom or for prevention of disease.
• Drug

  has the connotation of an ability obtained substance uch as heroin, cocaine, or amphetamines.
• Therapeutic/Desired Effect

  The primary effect intended, that is, the reason the drug is prescribed.
• Side Effect/Secondary Effect

  Uninentended effect. Side effects are usually predictable and may be either harmless or potentially harmful.
• Adverse Effect

  Severe side effects may justify the discontinuation of a drug.
• Drug Toxicity

  • harmful of a drug on an organism, or tissue
  • results from overdosage, ingestion of a drug intended for external use or buildup of the drug in the blood
  • because of impaired metabolism or excretion (cumulative effect)
• Drug Allergy

  • is an immunologic reaction to a drug.

  Mild: rashes, diarrhea, etc. (few minutes to two weeks)

  Severe: Anaphylactic reaction (can be fatal)
• Idiosyncratic Effect

  • Unexpected and may be individual to a client

  Under response and over response to a drug may be idiosyncratic
• Iatrogenic disease are disease caused unintentionally by medical therapy.
• Chemical Names 


  are names which the chemist knows a drug; describes the constituents of the drug
• Generic Names

  are names given before a drug becomes official.
• Official Names


  are names under which it is listed in on of the official publications
• Brand Names

  are also called the ‘trademark’; name given by the drug manufacturer.
• Pharmacodynamics


  the mechanism of drug action and the relationships between drug concentration and responses in the body
• Pharmacokinetics 


  the study of the absoroption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion of drugs
• Aerosol Spray/Foam

  liquid, powder, or foam deposited in a thin layer on the skin by air pressure.
• Aqueous Solution

  one or more drugs dissolves in water
• Aqueous Suspension

  one or more drugs finely divided in a liquid such as water.
• Caplet


  solid form, shaped like capsule, coated, and easily swallowed
• Capsule


  a gelatinous container to hold a drug in powder, liquid, or oil form.
• Cream

  non-greasy, semi-solid preparation used on skin.
• Elixir

  sweetened and aromatic solution of alcohol used as a vehicle for medicinal agents
• Liniment

  medication mixed with alcohol, oil, or soapy emollient and applied to skin.
• Lozenge

  flat, round, oval preparation that dissolves and release drug when held in mouth
• Ointment

  semi-solid preparation of one or more drugs used for application to the skin and mucous membranes
• Pill

  one or more drugs mixed with a cohesive material, in oval, round, or flattened shapes
• Powder


  finely ground drug or drugs; some are used internally or externally
• Suppository

  one or several drugs mixed with firm base such as gelatin and shaped for insertion into the body; base gradually dissolves at body temperature
• Syrup


  aqeaous solution of sugar often used to disguise unpleasant-tasting drugs
• Tablet

  powdered drug compressed into hard small disc
• Transdermal Patch

  semi-permeable shaped in the form of a disc or patch containing drug
• Universal Formula


  D - desired dosed

  H - dose on hand

  Q - Quantity
• Routes of Medication

  • Oral
  • Sublingual and Buccal
  • Rectal
  • Vaginal
  • Transdermal
  • Intradermal
  • Inhalation
• Oral Route

  • The most common trusted source of routes of drug administration
  • Most convenient
  • Least expensive
  • Safe, does not break skin barrier
  • Less stressful
• Rectal

  • Used if drug has unpleasant taste or ordor
  • Drug releases at a slow, steady rate
  • Provide local therapeutic effect
• Sublingual or Buccal

  • Local effect
  • Drug directly enters blood
  • Bypass the liver
• Transdermal

  • Few sides effects
  • Avoids GI absorption problems
  • Onset of action faster than oral
• Intradermal

  • Slow absorption
  • Used in skin testing
  • Amount of drug must be small
  • Breaks skin barrier
• Inhalation

  • Introduces drug throughout respiratory tract.
  • Rapid localized
  • Drug can be administered to unconscious client.
• Discard medications that changed color or has turned cloudy