introduction to pharmacology

four phases of pharmacokinetics

1. Absorption 2. Distribution 3. Metabolism 4. Excretion

the 5 R's

1. Right Drug 2. Right Strength 3. Right Route 4. Right Time 5. Right Patient

phase I clinical trials

1st tried on healthy human subjects - drugs are given a generic drug name - assigned by a government agency.

loading dose

a dose that is large enough to bring blood concentrations up to the therapeutic range immediately

blood-brain barrier (BBB)

a layer of cells that affects distribution of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS)

buccal

absorbed in the cheek

parenteral route

administered by injection; administered elsewhere in the body than the mouth and alimentary canal

medical error

an event in which a patient is given the wrong treatment or is harmed in a way by a medication that could have been prevented. the mistake could be made by the prescriber, the pharmacy, or during administration. A technician's job is crucial to ensuring good patient care.

acupressure

applies pressure to acupuncture points to enhance energy flow

dietary and nutritional supplements

are regulated as foods; not regulated for safety and efficacy as are prescription and OTC products by the FDA.

drug receptor theory

based on the lock and key mechanism

gluteus medius

buttocks

liver disease

can greatly affect drugs eliminated via metabolism

pediatric practice

children and infants

different types of topical routes

dermal (through the skin ex. lotion/ointment), inhalation (through the lungs), intranasal (through the nose), ophthalmic (through the eyes) , otic (through ear canal), and vaginal

pregnancy categorization

developed to assess safety during pregnancy; determining potential benefits and risks involved when a woman takes a medication while pregnant. some drugs are considered safe during pregnancy because they do not significantly cross through the placenta and enter the bloodstream of the developing fetus

intramuscular (IM)

directly entered into a muscle

orally dissolving tablets (ODTs)

dissolve quickly on the tongue

sublingual

dissolve under the tongue

transdermal

drug delivery through the skin overtime. patches can be applied and left in place for a period of time (hours to days)

protein binding

drug molecules can have a high affinity for protein molecules; binding to proteins, that circulate in the blood.

Phase II & III clinical trials

drugs are tested on humans having the condition or disease the drug is supposed to treat. near the end of Phase III, a proprietary or brand name is assigned by the company that will manufacture and sell the drug.

antagonist

drugs that block a response when binding to receptors. antagonists block in two ways: 1. directly by inactivating the receptor, blocking its ability to trigger a response 2. binding to the receptor in a competitive fashion, keeping agonist molecules from binding and then triggering a response

teratogenic

drugs that can cause birth defects or malformations in a developing fetus; degree of teratogenicity may depend on the stage of development

agonist

drugs whose activity stimulate a specific response when binding to receptors

ayurveda

east indian medicine that involves spiritual and whole body well being, employing change in diet and lifestyle

systemic effect

effects the body as a whole

geriatric practice

elderly patients

kidney function

excretion primarily happens through the kidneys, affecting elimination

mechanism of action

explanation of how a drug produces its effects on the body

dose response curve

graphically shows the relationship between dose and its effect. The graph shows concentration of drug in the bloodstream over time. Showing an increased dose results in an increase response

dosage form

how a drug is delivered

volume of distribution (Vd)

how a drug is distributed within the compartments of the body. highly-water soluble drug stays in the bloodstream.

intravenous (IV)

injections given directly into the vein. a small catheter is inserted and left in a vein when repeated or continuous infusion is needed

intrathecal (IT)

injections given into the spinal column between vertebrae (ex. epidural)

intradermal (ID)

injections given just underneath to top layer of skin (epidermis); used for tuberculosis (TB) skin tests (PPD), local anesthesia, and allergy skin testing.

epidural

injections given via a small catheter to deliver a drug directly into the spinal column over time; both are administered exclusively by anesthesiologists or anesthetists.

subcutaneous (SQ or SC or Subq)

injections into the fatty tissue under the dermal layer of the skin about the muscular tissue. - Abdomen, upper thigh, back of upper arm

peripheral IV line

inserted into a vein in the arm, wrist, or hand; small amounts of fluid; time infused is a few days or less.

central IV line

inserted into one of the larger veins in the upper chest area near the clavicle (collarbone); inserted surgically; used when large volumes of fluid must be given; repeated infusions; time is longer than a few days.

implant

inserted just below the skin to release a drug slowly overtime (months to years) (ex. birth control)

acupuncture

insertion of needles at specific points on the body to unblock energy signals

solution

liquids with dissolved substances

suspensions

liquids with particulate matter - must be shaken. onset of action with most oral dosage forms is around a half an hour after swallowing

oral (peroral or PO)

meaning by mouth, the most convenient and cost effective means of delivering a medication to a patient. oral dosage forms include tablets, capsules, and liquid forms (syrups). tablets can be coated or uncoated, most are swallowed whole but some can be chewed.

schedule II - V

medications that can be legally dispensed with certain restrictions

over-the-counter (OTC)

medications that can be purchased without a prescription

controlled substances

medications that have been categorized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to have the potential for abuse and dependence.

schedule I

medications that have been categorized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to have the potential for abuse and dependence.

rectal

medicine inserted via the rectum and allowed to melt or dissolve in place, allows for systemic absorption through the mucosal lining. local treatment for hemorrhoids. dosage forms include suppositories and enemas.

biofeedback

mental exercise and relaxation to slow heartbeat, lower blood pressure, and reduce stomach problems

ceiling effect

no further increase in dosage produces additional response

chiropractic therapy

non drug treatment, manipulation to achieve better body health and alignment

topical

not for the intent of systemic absorption; limited to local absorption. Not limited to application on the skin. Lungs, eyes, and vagina, are some ways that are considered topical administrations

generic substitution

often a drug's class, mechanism of action, and common uses can be easily determined by simply knowing a drugs generic name

eastern medicine

older type of medicine that used herbs and alternative therapies and recognizes a person's spiritual being and balance.

legend or prescription drugs

only available by prescription and are dispensed from the pharmacy upon receipt of a valid prescription from a prescriber.

Phase IV clinical trials

postmarketing

potency

power to affect body or mind. A drug that achieves the same response as another drug but at a lower dose is more potent.

Vivo

preclinical studies on a living organism commonly involving animals (involving test-tube studies, trials, and animal populations)

efficacy

produced a desired or intended result

receptors

receives chemical signals - on the surface or inside of specific cells

local effort

site of action is a specific area or tissue

minimum therapeutic range

the lower threshold of the range

loading dose

the point at which a drug is at the lowest concentration

pharmacokinetics

the point at which a drug is at the lowest concentration

distribution

the process by which drugs move around in the bloodstream and reach other tissues of the body

pathophysiology

the study of abnormal body processes or diseases

pharmacodynamics

the study of drug receptor theory at the molecular level and how that interaction translates to drug activity on the entire body.

pharmacodynamics

the study of drugs and their receptors on the molecular level

pharmacokinetics

the study of how drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream (absorption), circulated to tissues throughout the body (distribution), inactivated (metabolized), and eliminated (metabolism and excretion). pharmacokinetic processes affect a drug's effectiveness, dosing schedule, and use

pharmaceutics

the study of how drugs are introduced into the body

pharmacotherapeutics

the study of how drugs are used in clinical practice for individual patients. determining what will be most beneficial and appropriate for use for an individual patient

pharmacology

the study of how drugs from various sources work inside the body for their intended purposes.

physiology

the study of normal body function

toxic concentration

the upper edge of the range; the incidence of toxic effects may outweigh any benefit of the drug and thus pose too great a risk.

western medicine

traditional medicine; treatments generally recognized and accepted; relies on the scientific method

homeopathy

treating an ailment with a substance, that can cause an effect similar to the ailment itself

deltoid

upper arm

chinese medicine

uses Eastern medical philosophies.

steady state

when a constant concentration is maintained

peak

when the concentration is at it's highest

therapeutic range

where the blood concentrations are in the middle of a curve