N304 - Unit 1

Pharmacokinetics

The study of what the body does to a drug, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

Absorption

The transmission of medications from the site of administration to the bloodstream.

Rate

The factor that determines how soon a medication will take effect.

Amount

The factor that determines the intensity of a medication's effects.

Route

The method of administration that affects the rate and amount of absorption.

Distribution

The transportation of medications to their sites of action via bodily fluids, influenced by circulation, cell membrane permeability, and plasma protein binding.

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

The process by which medications are changed into less active or inactive forms through enzymes, influenced by factors such as age, increase in enzymes, first-pass effect, similar metabolic pathways, and nutritional status.

Excretion

The elimination of medications from the body.

Therapeutic Index (TI)

A measure of a medication's safety margin, with a high TI indicating a wide safety margin and a low TI indicating a narrow safety margin.

Trough Level

The lowest plasma level of a medication.

Peak Level

The highest plasma level of a medication.

Plateau

The concentration of a medication in the plasma during a series of doses.

Half-Life

The amount of time required for the medication in the body to decrease by 50%, with a short half-life being 4-8 hours and a long half-life being approximately 24 hours.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of what a drug does to the body.

Agonist

A medication that binds to or mimics receptor activity, such as morphine.

Antagonist

A medication that blocks receptor activity, such as losartan.

Partial Agonist

A medication that acts as both an agonist and an antagonist, such as malbuphine.

Minerals

Inorganic elements/salts that bind with enzymes, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folic acid, iron, and potassium.

vitamin B1 (thiamine)

deficiency: beriberi or Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome

vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

deficiency: red tongue, cracked lips/corner of mouth

vitamin B3 (niacin)

deficiency: pellagra

vitamin B6 (pyroxidine)

involved in metabolism, amino acid absorption, and neurotransmitter synthesis

deficiency: abnormal CNS function

vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

involved in DNA synthesis & cell division; needs intrinsic factor to be absorbed through oral administration

deficiency: pernicious anemia

vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

active in oxidation-reduction rxns, used in metabolic activities, enhances iron absorption

deficiency: scurvy