Introduction to Pharmacology - Chapter 1 - Learning Objectives

Drug

A drug is a chemical agent capable of producing biologic responses within the body. These responses may be desirable (therapeutic) or undesirable (adverse). After a drug is administered, it is called a medication.

Discuss the prototype approach to drug classification

A prototype drug is the well-understood drug model with which other drugs in its representative class are compared. By learning the characteristics of the prototype drug, students may predict the actions and adverse effects of other drugs in the same class.

Biologics

Although most modern drugs are synthesized in a laboratory, biologics are agents naturally produced in animal cells, by microorganisms, or by the body itself. Examples of biologics include hormones, monoclonal antibodies, natural blood products and components, interferons, and vaccines. Biologics are used to treat a wide variety of ill- nesses and conditions.

Distinguish among a drug's chemical name, generic name, and trade name

Chemical name is assigned using standard nomenclature established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). A drug has only one chemical name. Example: chemical name for diazepam: 7-chloro-1, 3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin- 2-one. calcium gluconate sodium chloride Generic name of a drug is assigned by the U.S. Adopted Name Council. Generally, generic names are less complicated and easier to remember than chemical names. A drug has only one generic name. Example: ibuprofen, aspirin Trade name is assigned by the company marketing the drug. The name is usually short and easy to remember. The trade name is sometimes called the proprietary, product, or brand name. A drug has only many trades names. Example: Aspergum, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin,

Identify key events in the history of pharmacology

John Jacob Abel- The Father of American Pharmacology Founded the 1st pharmacology department in the US at the United States at the University of Michigan in 1890. By Abel's advancements, today, pharmacologists able to synthesize drugs in a laboratory, much more quickly. Now able to study how drugs produced their effects, down to molecular mechanism of action Friedrich Serturner, who first isolated morphine from opium in 1805, injected himself and three friends with a huge dose (100 mg) of his new product.

Describe how decisions are made relative to drug therapy among groups of patients

Lawmakers, manufacturers, doctors, nurses, and patients along with family members are often placed in the position of making difficult decisions about proper drug choices.

Explain the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology, giving an example of how knowledge from different sciences impacts the nurse's role in drug administration

Most of the time pharmacology incorporates knowledge from multiple areas, which health care providers must use in making decisions about drug administration. Drugs may elicit different responses depending on individual patient factors such as age, sex, body mass, health status, and genetics. To learn the discipline well, nursing students must acquire a broad knowledge base from various foundation areas such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pathophysiology. the central purpose of pharmacology is to focus on the pa- tient and to improve the quality of life If applied properly, drugs can dramatically improve the quality of life. If ad- ministered improperly, drugs can produce devastating consequences.

Outline the major differences between prescription and over-the-counter drugs

OTC drugs do not require a health care provider's order. Prescription drugs allows the health care provider the opportunity to teach the patient the proper use of the drug and which adverse effects may occur.

What is a prototype drug, and how does it differ from other drugs in the same class?

Prototype drugs exhibit typical or essential features of the drugs within a specific class. By learning the characteristics of the prototype drug, students may better anticipate the actions and adverse effects of other drugs in the same class.

Compare and contrast traditional drugs, biologics, and complementary and alternative medicine therapies

Substances applied for therapeutic purposes fall into one of the following three general categories: Drugs or medications - A drug is a chemical agent capable of producing biologic responses within the body. These responses may be desirable (therapeutic) or undesirable (adverse). After a drug is administered, it is called a medication. Biologics- are agents naturally produced in animal cells, by microorganisms, or by the body itself. Examples of biologics include hormones, monoclonal antibodies, natural blood products and components, interferons, and vaccines. Biologics are used to treat a wide variety of ill- nesses and conditions. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies. These involve natural plant extracts, herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and additional techniques outside of the realm of conventional therapeutics. Such therapies include body-based practices such as physical therapy, manipula- tions, massage, acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback.

. A generic-equivalent drug may be legally substituted for a trade-name medication unless the medication is on a negative formulary or requested by the prescrib- er or patient. What advantages does this substitution have for the patient? What disadvantages might be caused by the switch?

The advantages of a generic drug include cost sav- ings to the patient and the fact that the name will remain the same, regardless of which company makes the drug. However, because generic drug formularies may be different, the inert ingredients may be somewhat different and, consequently, may affect the abil- ity of the drug to reach the target cells and produce an effect.

Explain why a patient might seek treatment from an OTC drug instead of a more effective prescription drug.

The patient may choose OTC medications rather than more effective prescription medications for a variety of reasons. OTC medications do not require the patient to see a health care provider to write a prescription for the drug, saving time and cost for the office visit. OTC medications are also more readily available in a variety of settings than are prescription drugs. Patients often think they can effectively treat themselves and may believe that OTC medica- tions do not have as many side effects as prescription medications.

What is the difference between therapeutic and pharmacologic classifications? Identify the following classifications as therapeutic or pharmacologic: beta- adrenergic blocker, oral contraceptive, laxative, folic acid antagonist, and antianginal drug.

The therapeutic classification is a method of organizing drugs based on their therapeutic usefulness in treating particular diseases. The pharmacologic classification refers to how an agent works at the molecular, tissue, and body system levels. A beta-adrenergic blocker is a pharmacologic class; an oral contraceptive is a therapeutic class; laxative is a therapeutic class; folic acid antagonist is a pharmacologic class; antianginal is a therapeutic class.

Pharmacology (define)

The word pharmacology is derived from two Greek words: pharmakon, which means "medicine," and logos, which means "study." Thus, pharmacology is most simply defined as the study of medicine.

Explain the basis for placing drugs into the therapeutic and pharmacologic classes

Therapeutic classification. useful method of organizing drugs is based on their therapeutic usefulness in treating particular diseases or disorders. Drugs may be used to treat elevated blood pressure, heart failure, abnormal rhythm, chest pain, heart attack, or circulatory shock. Thus, drugs that treat cardiac disorders may be placed in several types of therapeutic classes, for example, anticoag- ulants, antihyperlipidemics, and antihypertensives. A pharmacologic classification refers to the way a drug works at the molecular, tissue, or body system level. A drug's pharmacologic classification is more specific than a therapeutic classification and requires a more in depth understanding of biochemistry and physiol- ogy. In addition, pharmacologic classifications may be de- scribed with varying degrees of complexity, sometimes taking into account the drugs' chemical names. Both types of classification are widely used in categorizing the thousands of available drugs.

Compare and contrast therapeutics and pharmacology

Therapeutics is concerned with the prevention of disease and treatment of suffering. Pharmacotherapy, or pharmaco- therapeutics, is the application of drugs for the purpose of treating diseases and alleviating human suffering.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies

These involve natural plant extracts, herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and additional techniques outside of the realm of conventional therapeutics. Such therapies include body-based practices such as physical therapy, manipulations, massage, acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback

Explain the differences between trade-name drugs and their generic equivalents

Trade Because there is no competition for 17 yrs, the price is generally quite high. Generic May or may not work as well as the trade name drugs because of the drug's bioavailability.

Describe what is meant by a drug's mechanism of action

how a drug produces its physiological effect in the body. Example A diuretic treats hypertension by lowering plasma volume. Calcium channel blockers treat hypertension by decreasing cardiac contractility.