Basics of Pharmacology

pharmacology

science of interaction between chemical substances and the living organism

drugs

are chemical or biological substances used in the prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of a disease or to alter bodily functions

pharmacokinetics

the study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs

basically understanding what the body does the drug

pharmacodynamics

study of the effect of drug on the body and their mechanism

basically understanding what the drug does the body

therapeutics

deals with the use of drugs and the prevention and treatment of disease

understanding the benefits of the drug

toxicology

deals with the adverse effects of the drug

it is the study of harmful chemicals and its effects on the body

pharmacy

science of identification, compounding, and dispensing of drugs

includes collection, isolation, purification, synthesis, and standardization of medical substances

medicinal chemistry

study of new drug synthesis and the relationship between chemical structure and biological effects

molecular phamacology

study of interaction of drugs and components inside the cell or cell surface

chemotherapy

use of drugs in treatment of disease

chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumor cells

preventive use

medical uses of drugs that prevent initiation or occurrence of diseases

therapeutic use

drugs used to improve, cure, control symptoms, and maintain health

diagnostic use

drugs may be used to aid in diagnosis of disease conditions

chemical name

it is the chemical formula for the drug

generic name

also known as official, it is shorter and less complicated name that is recognized as identifying the drug for legal and scientific purposes

brand name

also known as trade or proprietary, it is the private property of the individual drug manufacturers and no competitor may use it

solid preparations

it includes tablets, capsules, powders, pills, and suppositories

tablets

these are granulated drugs which are compressed or molded into round, discoid, or ovoid shapes

swallowed whole

tablets are meant to be _ _

lozenges

round, flat tablets formed from hardened base of sugar and water containing the drug and other flavorings

troche/pastille

oblong tablet that has a base of sugar and dissolves in the mouth

capsule

soluble container made of tasteless gelatin containing powdered or liquid drugs (soft/hard)

powder

a finely ground form of an active drug

can be prescribed in capsule form or manufactured in glass vials where they need to be reconstituted with sterile water before being injected

pills

powdered drugs mixed with adhesive-like substances such as glucose of honey which are molded in spherical or ovoid forms

suppository

mixture of substances with a firm base that is suitable for insertion into the body cavities

aqueous solutions

these contain one or more substances dissolved in water.

drug-water concentration is always the same in every part of the solution, even after prolonged standing

elixirs

clear, sweetened, hydroalcoholic liquid intended for oral use used either as vehicles or for therapeutic effect of the active medicinal agents

syrups

concentrated solutions of sugar, water, and flavorings without alcohol content

tinctures

alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution prepared from vegetable materials or from chemical substances

decoction

obtained by boiling medicinal herbs in water

aqueous suspensions

preparations for finely divided drugs suspended in water base

fine particles gradually settle to the bottom of container with prolonged standing

emulsion

suspension of drug mixed with fat or oil in water

gel

semisolid suspension in which the drug particles are suspended in a thickened water base

magma

bulky suspension of poorly soluble substances in water which resembles milk or cream

oral suspension

preparation of finely divided undissolved drugs dispersed in liquid vehicles

lotion

aqueous suspension of insoluble substances applied to the skin without rubbing

alcoholic preparations

includes elixirs, spirits, and tincture

spirit or essence

alcoholic solution of volatile substances

liniment

liquid preparation applied to the skin without rubbing

foams

contain a solution of drug that is expanded by tiny bubbles

ointment

semi-solid greasy substance through which one or more substances are distributed. main ingredient is oil

poultice

similar to ointment but applied with a cloth and employed as counterirritant

plaster

solid adhesive preparation that is applied to the skin to soothe, protect, or lessen pain

cream

composed of high percentage of water and absorbs fluid from wet skin lesions

transdermal

contains multilayered disk and consists of a drug reservoir, a porous membrane, and an adhesive layer to hold into the skin

pellet/bead

form of drug implanted in the body

slowly releases the drug to surrounding tissue

oral

route of administration by mouth

sublingual

route of administration by placing the drug under the tongue

inhalation

drug administration route in which the patient inhales the drug orally or nasally

topical

applied to the surface of the skin

otic

drug administration by ear

ocular

drug administration by eye

parenteral

literally mean -apart from the intestine

intramuscular

injection of medication into a muscular mass

intravenous

injection of a liquid directly into a vein

subcutaneous

injection of liquid into the subcutaneous tissue

fat/tissue

intradermal

injection of liquid into the dermis

endotracheal

given after the patient has been intubated with an endotracheal tube

intracardiac

route for emergency resuscitation at the chest wall directly into the heart

intra-arterial

direct injection of a chemotherapy into the area of neoplasm

intra-articular

injection of certain drug into the joint

intrathecal

injection of a liquid within the sheath or meninges of the spinal chord into the cerebrospinal fluid

umbilical artery

vein catheterization