Unit 1 Flashcards
Define pharmacotherapeutics.
Pharmacotherapeutics: the administration of drugs for the purpose of of disease prevention or treatment and the relief of suffering.
Differ between dugs and medications.
Drugs: chemical agent capable of producing biological response
Medication: used medically, synthesized in a lab
Define biologics.
Biologics: agents that are naturally produced in animal cells (e.g.: hormones, antibodies)
Define natural health products.
NHPs: naturally occurring from many sources, used to support health and well-being
What are the advantages of prescription?
Qualified health care provider will prescribe drug specific to the client; client will be more informed about drug.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of OTC drugs?
Advantages: convenient, cheaper
Disadvantages: less specificity, adverse effects if not used properly
What 5 things must a drug label include?
1) Generic drug name
2) DIN #
3) Lot number
4) Expiry date
5) Ingredients
What is the purpose of the preclinical investigation with prescription drug approval?
Preclinical investigations predict whether the drug will cause harm to humans by testing on animals and on cells cultured in labs.
Outline the 3 phases of clinical trials.
Phase I: tests on healthy volunteers to assess drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion
Phase II: tests on volunteers with target disease to determine proper dosage and side effects
Phase III: double blind study
What is the purpose of post approval surveillance and regulation?
Post approval surveillance and regulation monitors for adverse effects not demonstrated in clinical trials.
Differentiate between therapeutic and pharmacological classification.
Therapeutic: organizes drugs based on their therapeutic usefulness in treating particular diseases; states what the drug does
Pharmacological: organizes drugs based on how they work at molecular, tissue, and body system level; addresses mechanisms of action
Define bioavailability.
Bioavailability: amount of drug that physiologically available to reach its target cells and produce its effect
