Pharmacology Flashcards
(122 cards)
What is the definition of pharmacology?
The study of the way living systems are affected by chemical agents
What is the definition of a drug?
Any chemical agent that affects a biological system
What is the definition of a receptor?
A protein that has a specific binding site to a ligand
Explain how the dose response curve work?
More dose = greater response
But once all receptors are occupied, the response plateaus
Log graph has sigmoid curve
What is the definition of EC50?
The dose needed to create a 50% response from the system
If a drug has a higher affinity to the receptor, how does the EC50 change?
It shifts to the left
What is the definition of affinity?
Determined the strength of chemical attraction between the drug and receptor
A lower EC50 indicates a higher affinity
What is the definition of efficacy?
Determined by how good the drug is at activating the receptor?
What responses can occur from ligand binding?
Full response
Partial response
No response
What is the affinity and efficacy for a full agonist?
High affinity and high efficacy
What is the affinity and efficacy for a partial agonist?q
High affinity and lower efficacy
What is the affinity and efficacy for an antagonist?
High affinity and no efficacy
What is the definition of an agonist?
Mimic normal effect of receptor
What is the definition of an antagonist?
Block normal effect of receptor
Explain why the dose response curve shifts to the right with added antagonist?
The antagonist completes for the binding site, and so more agonist is needed to activate the desired response
What are the enteral routes for a drug?
Oral
What are the parenteral routes for a drug?
IV IM Subcutaneous Transdermal Inhalation
What are the advantages and disadvantages for oral administration?
Adv - socially acceptable Dis: - slow onset - variable absorption - gastric acid may destroy drug - first-pass metabolism
Explain First Pass metabolism?
All blood from the GI drains to the hepatic portal vein
Hepatic portal vein drains to the liver
Drugs only reach systemic circulation after passing through the liver
What are the advantages and disadvantages for non-oral drug administration?
Adv: - predictable plasma levels - no first pass metabolism Dis: - allergic reactions more severe - access difficulties - higher cost
What is a solution to first pass metabolism?
Higher dose
Name the 5 factors which affect oral absorption?
Lipid solubility and ionisation Drug formulation GI mobility Interactions with other substances in the gut GU tract disease
What is the definition of bioavaliability?
Proportion of an ingested drug that is available for clinical effect
What can alter a drug’s bioavailability?
Dosage form
Destruction in the gut
Poor absorption
First pass metabolism