Pharmacology

• Pharmacy: science of preparing & dispensing drugs
• A drug is considered any chemical substance that produces a change in body function.
• Drugs influence the functions of cells.
• Side effect: Undesired effect that is more of a nuisance than harmful
• Toxic effect of a drug is treated by stopping it and starting supportive treatment immediately.
• Site of Action: where a drug works in the body.
• Mechanism of Action: explanation of how a drug produces its effects
• When a specific receptor site is known for a drug, that is also the site of action.
• Schedule 1: Drugs with high abuse potential & no accepted medical use
• Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs: Heroin, hallucinogens, marijuana
• Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs (Not to be prescribed): Heroin, hallucinogens, marijuana
• Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs (No refills without new prescription from the physician): Narcotics like morphine & pure codeine; cocaine, amphetamines, short-acting barbiturates like amobarbital & secobarbital; nabilone
• Schedule 2: Drugs with high abuse potential & accepted medical use
• Schedule 3: Drugs with moderate abuse potential & accepted medical use
• Schedule 3 Controlled Drugs (Prescription required & may be refilled 5 times in 6 months when authorized by the physician): Moderate– & intermediate-acting barbiturates, dronabinol, anabolic steroids, preparations containing codeine + another drug
• Hydrocodone is a schedule 3 drugs.
• Codeine alone is a schedule 2 drug.
• Tylenol with codeine is a schedule 3 drug because it is a combination drug.
• Morphine that binds to a specific receptor & produces pain relief is considered an agonist drug.
• Duration of action for a drug: the length of time that a drug continues to produce its effect.
• Drugs have to be shown to be safe AND effective.
• Toxic effect: extremely harmful effect which may be life threatening
• Therapeutic index is used in animal studies to establish drug dosing.
• Teratogen: drug that can cause a birth defect
• The nonproprietary name of a drug is called a generic drug.
• Patented names of a drug sold by specific manufacturer: proprietary name & trade name
• Morphine is a schedule 2 drug.
• Schedule 4 drug: Low abuse potential & accepted medical use
• Pharmacokinetics: study of the processes of a drug’s absorption, distribution, metabolism & excretion
• Adverse effect is treated by adjusting the dose or switching the drug.
• Agonist: drugs that bind to specific receptors & produce a response
• Antagonists block the effects of agonists on receptor sites
• Controlled substances: drugs that have the potential for abuse
• Nonprescription/over-the-counter drugs examples: aspirin, antacids, cold remedies
• Therapeutic Index: the ratio of the LD50 to ED50 of a drug
• Thalidomide: A drug used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women; causes birth defect; a teratogen.
• As the dose increases, the response increases until it reaches a maximal effect.
• Flavoring in syrups eliminate the bitter taste of drugs.
• Syrups are commonly used aqueous preparations.
• Elixirs, spirits, tinctures, and fluid extracts are drugs dissolved in various concentrations of alcohol, usually in the range of 5 to 20 percent.