Unit 1 Flashcards
(98 cards)
Pharmacology
Action of drugs on living organisms
Neuropharmacology
Drug-induced changes in functioning of nerve cells
Psychopharmacology
Drug-induced changes in behavioral responding
Neuropsychopharmacology
Drug-induced changes in function of select neurons that influence specific sets of behaviors produced by injury, disease, or other factors
Drug Action
Local
Molecular changes within cells produced by drug binding to a target site/receptor
Drug Effect
Communal
Molecular changes within or between cells that lead to alterations in physiological/psychological function
Liberation
Rate of drug release into a biological system from administered form
Formulation
Mix of drug and excipient (i.e. time released). Can only control rate of delivery only when liberation
Excipient
Chemicals always added to drugs to facilitate ability of drugs to exist in different forms
Bioequivalence
Idea that if two drugs formulations have equal bioavailability and rate of absorption then plasma levels will be similar. NOT ALWAYS TRUE b/c of differing liberation rates/gut acidity
Absorption
Movement of drug from site of admin to blood circulation. Influenced by route of admin and liberation factors
Oral Administration PO
Most popular for safety and economy. Pills, liquids, etc. Must dissolve in stomach and pass through stomach wall to reach capillaries, so must be resistant to strong acids and enzymes. Majority not absorbed until proximal small intestine. Bioavailability affected by food in gut (slow gut movement = slow absorption), first pass effect
Intravenous Administration IV
Most rapid and accurate method b/c it circumvents stomach wall/first pass. Hazardous because of quickness/inability to stop, sterility, and dissolution in toxic fillers
Intramuscular Administration IM
Slow and even delivery of drug in non-aqueous additives (lipophilic oils). Often painful
Subcutaneous Administration SC
Often slow and steady delivery of aqueous drugs depending on blood flow to site. Similar to IM in use of slow delivery through oils
Gaseous Administration
Rapid absorption due to large surface area of pulmonary capillary system
Topical Administration
Direct application to mucosal membranes with rapid absorption into mucosal capillary system and rapid effects
Transdermal Administration
Slow absoprtion through transdermal patches into skin. Use lipophilic substances often dissolved in alcohol that can penetrate skin (lipid bi-layers).
Transport Across Cell Membranes
Rate of drug passage across various cell layers between site of administration and blood is the single most important factor in determining plasma drug levels
Passive Diffusion
From high concentration to low concentration as drugs move down the concentration gradient. Lipophilic/lipid-soluble, non-ionic drugs
Carrier-Mediated Active Transport
From low concentration to high through movement by a transport protein against the concentration gradient. Requires ATP. Ionic/charged drugs
Lipid-soluble Drug
Move across membranes via passive diffusion depending on concentration gradient / lipid solubility. Diffuse into cell membrane and establish a concentration which is always greater than within the cytoplasm. Must be able to penetrate membrane through lipophility, but overly lipophilic drugs can get stuck within the membrane
Salt Forms of Drugs
Substitute HBr/SO4 for hydrogen which increases aqueous solubility, facilitating solution in stomach and into blood for great stability/shelf-life. Once in aqueous environment, salt dissociates, releases drug, and is replaced by H. Problems encountered with drug weight vs salt weight
Ionization of Drugs
Most drugs are weak acids/bases that ionize in water, but depends on pH level [easier to be absorbed when more neutral] and ionization characteristics (pKa) [pH of solution in which drug is 50/50 ionized]