1.1 Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is pharmacology?
The study of drugs and their interactions on living systems.
Pharmacology draws on knowledge from anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, and psychology.
What does anatomy contribute to pharmacology?
An understanding of the structures within the body.
This is essential for understanding how drugs interact with different body parts.
What is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacologist?
A pharmacist dispenses drugs at a pharmacy, while a pharmacologist studies all aspects of drugs.
Pharmacologists examine drug origins, functions, chemistry, effects, and uses.
What is medicinal chemistry?
The study of new-drug synthesis.
Define pharmacodynamics.
The study of drug action and effects on the body.
What does pharmacokinetics study?
The movement of drugs in the body.
What is molecular pharmacology?
The study of the interaction of drugs with molecules such as DNA, RNA, and enzymes.
What is pharmacotherapeutics?
The treatment of disease with therapeutic medications.
Define toxicology.
The study of poisons.
What are drugs?
Substances that change physiological processes in the body, either therapeutic or toxic.
List the five sources of drugs.
- Plants
- Minerals
- Animals
- Synthetic sources
- Modern engineering (recombinant DNA technology)
What is digoxin used for?
To treat certain heart conditions.
What are the four processes involved in pharmacokinetics?
- Absorption
- Distribution
- Metabolism
- Excretion
What is absorption in pharmacokinetics?
The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood.
What factors influence drug absorption?
Route of administration and drug solubility.
What is the primary site of drug absorption?
- Mucosa of the mouth
- Lungs
- Stomach
- Small intestine and rectum
- Subcutaneous tissue
- Blood vessels in muscle tissue
How does food affect drug absorption?
Food in the stomach slows absorption but decreases irritation; an empty stomach increases absorption but may increase irritation.
What is the role of pH in drug absorption?
The pH influences how well a drug is absorbed, with acidic medications absorbed better in the stomach.
Define pharmacodynamics.
The way in which a drug works, including its mechanism of action in the body.
What is the drug blood level?
The amount of drug circulating in the bloodstream.
How does the blood-brain barrier affect drug distribution?
It restricts entry of water-soluble electrolytes but allows lipid-soluble drugs to pass.
What is metabolism in pharmacokinetics?
The process of chemical reactions that change drugs into water-soluble compounds for excretion.
What is the drug half-life?
The time the body takes to metabolize half of the available drug.
What is the therapeutic dose?
The dose that produces the desired effect with minimal side effects.
