Knowledge Domain 1: Medication

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their effects on living organisms

Clinical Pharmacology

The study of how drugs effect the human body

Pharmacokinetics (PK)

The studies what the body does to a drug (ADME)

4 components of (ADME)

Absorption, Distribution, metabolism, Excretion

1:4 of AMDE ( Absorption)

Drug entering bloodstream

2:4 of ADME (Distribution)

Drug traveling through to where it needs to work

3:4 of ADME (Metabolism)

The body breaking down the drug

4:4 of ADME (Excretion)

Body getting rid of drug

Bioavailability

Amount of administrated drug reaching blood circulation and used by the body

Bioequivalent

Two drugs having the same bioavailability are equally absorbed into the body

Is administrating a drug intravenously (into a vein) have 100% bioavailability? Yes or no.

Does administrating a drug orally (by mouth) passing through digestive tract reduces its percentage bioavailability? Yes or no

Pharmacodynamics (PD)

The study of the bio-chemical and physiological effect of the drug on the body

Receptors

Drugs must reach their target cells or tissues To affect the body

Helps learn what optimum dose of a drug should be

Pharmacodynamics or Pharmcokinetics

Limits side effects while maximizing the clinical aspect

Pharmacodynamics or Pharmacokinetics

Agonist Drug Molecules

Mimics normal physiological process in the body

ANTagonist Drug Molecules

Designed to inhibit or block an agonist from activating a receptor

Activates the receptors and generates response

Agonist Drug Molecules or Antagonist Drug Molecules

Neurotransmitters

Brain chemicals sending messages to the body to bind with specific receptors

Examples of Neurotransmitters

Dopamine, Serotonin, Epinephrine, Histamine

Dopamine

Pleasure, reward, motivation

Serotonin

Mood balance, calm, well-being

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Fight - or - flight, energy, alertness

Histamine

Allergy chemicals

Examples of histamine are...

Causes sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes

Therapeutic Index (TI)

Ranges of doses that's effective and safe

Narrow Therapeutic Index (NTI)

Very small window between effective doses to unacceptable adverse effects

What how does the FDA monitor Narrow Therapeutic Index

"Trough and Peak"

Trough

Lowest blood concentration of drug

peak

Highest blood concentration of drug

What is it called when drug has been drawn before administration of the next dose

Trough

What is it called when drug is collected one to several hours after the drug is administered

Peak

Interactions

Involve combinations of medications with other substances altering the effects on the body

What are the types of Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions, Drug-Disease Interactions, Drug-Nutrient Interactions, Drug-Herbal Interactions, Drug-Alcohol Interactions, Drug-Laboratory

What does Interactions cause...

Unexpected side effects or medication to be more or less potent than intended

What does indication mean?

A reason to use a certain treatment

What does contraindication mean?

A reason to NOT use a certain treatment due to harm it could cause to a patient

1:6 Interactions (Drug-Drug interactions)

When one drug affects how another drug works, increasing or decreasing its effects or side effects

What are the four types of Drug-Drug Interactions

Addition, Antagonism, Potentiation, Synergism

1:4 of Drug-Drug Interactions (Addition)

When two drugs with equal sum effect each other indication of side effects

Example of Addition

2 types of pain medication cause double pain relief causing some drowsiness together cause even more drowsiness

2:4 of Drug-Drug Interactions (Antagonism)

One drug works AGAINST the action of another drug

3:4 of Drug-Drug Interactions (Potentiation)

One drug enhances or prolongs effects of another drug

4:4 of Drug to Drug Interactions (Synergism)

Two drugs work together creating a greater effect than either one could produce alone

2:6 Interactions (Drug-Disease Interaction)

When a drug worsens a patent's existing disease or medical condition

3:6 Interactions (Drug-Nutrient Interactions)

Foods or drinks increases or decreases the effect of drugs in the body

4:6 Interactions (Drug-Herbal Interactions)

When herbal or dietary supplements increase or decrease a drugs effects

5:6 Interactions (Drug-Alcohol Interactions)

Effects the drug itself or causes harmful side effects

6:6 Interactions (Drug-Laboratory Interaction)

When drugs you're already taking effects results on testing drugs must inform providers beforehand