Pharmacology
Introduction to Pharmacology
Chapter 1 – Pharmacology intro
Pharmacology is the study of drugs. A drug can be any substance that, when administered to living organisms, produces a change in function. Thus, substances such as water, metals (iron), or insecticides can be classified as drugs. However, the term drug commonly means any medication that is used for diagnosing, curing, or treating disease
Every drug produces its intended effect, or therapeutic effect, along with other effects. The therapeutic use(s) of any drug is referred to as the drug indication, meaning indications for use. The term contraindication refers to the situation or circumstance when a particular drug should not be used. side effects are more of a nuisance than they are harmful
Adverse effects are also undesired effects, but these are effects that may be harmful
Toxic effects, or toxicity, implies drug poisoning, the consequences of which can be extremely harmful and may be life-threatening. The site of action of a drug is the location within the body where the drug exerts its therapeutic effect
Mechanism of action explains how a drug produces its effects.
Drugs that bind to specific receptors and produce a drug action are called agonists. Morphine is an example of an agonist. Drugs that bind to specific receptors and inhibit agonist drug action or cellular functions are called antagonists.
Potency is a measure of the strength, or concentration, of a drug required to produce a specific effect therapeutic index (TI) is a ratio of the LD50 to the ED50 of a drug
Chapter 2 – Pharmacokinetics and factors of individual variation bioavailability: percentage of the drug dosage that is absorbed. drug absorption: entrance of a drug into the bloodstream from its site of administration. drug distribution: passage of a drug from the blood to the tissues and organs of the body. drug excretion: elimination of the drug from the body. drug metabolism: the enzymatic
Chapter 1 – Pharmacology intro
Pharmacology is the study of drugs. A drug can be any substance that, when administered to living organisms, produces a change in function. Thus, substances such as water, metals (iron), or insecticides can be classified as drugs. However, the term drug commonly means any medication that is used for diagnosing, curing, or treating disease
Every drug produces its intended effect, or therapeutic effect, along with other effects. The therapeutic use(s) of any drug is referred to as the drug indication, meaning indications for use. The term contraindication refers to the situation or circumstance when a particular drug should not be used. side effects are more of a nuisance than they are harmful
Adverse effects are also undesired effects, but these are effects that may be harmful
Toxic effects, or toxicity, implies drug poisoning, the consequences of which can be extremely harmful and may be life-threatening. The site of action of a drug is the location within the body where the drug exerts its therapeutic effect
Mechanism of action explains how a drug produces its effects.
Drugs that bind to specific receptors and produce a drug action are called agonists. Morphine is an example of an agonist. Drugs that bind to specific receptors and inhibit agonist drug action or cellular functions are called antagonists.
Potency is a measure of the strength, or concentration, of a drug required to produce a specific effect therapeutic index (TI) is a ratio of the LD50 to the ED50 of a drug
Chapter 2 – Pharmacokinetics and factors of individual variation bioavailability: percentage of the drug dosage that is absorbed. drug absorption: entrance of a drug into the bloodstream from its site of administration. drug distribution: passage of a drug from the blood to the tissues and organs of the body. drug excretion: elimination of the drug from the body. drug metabolism: the enzymatic