Pharmacology Chapters 1 and 2

Agonist

A drug that has affinity for a receptor and stimulates it to action.

Contraindication

A reason not to use a drug in a particular situation.

Efficacy

The degree to which a drug produces its desired effects.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drug

A drug purchased and used without a veterinarian's prescription.

Prescription drug

A drug used only under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Receptor

Specialized molecules on or in a cell that bind with drugs.

Therapeutic index

The relationship between a drug's therapeutic and harmful effects.

Withdrawal time

Time elapsed between drug therapy end and drug elimination from tissues.

Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)

The professional relationship required before dispensing prescription drugs.

Four drug sources

Animal products, plant materials, minerals, and synthetic products.

Four components of a drug regimen

Dose, route, frequency, and duration of administration.

Three conditions of a valid VCPR

Veterinarian assumes responsibility, has seen animal recently, and is available.

Legend drug

A prescription drug limited to dispensing by or on veterinarian order.

Technician's label-reading rule

Read the drug label three times before administration.

Sequence of drug pharmacokinetics

Absorption, distribution, biotransformation (metabolism), and excretion.

Oral route (advantages/disadvantages)

Simple route; absorption rates vary, inappropriate if animal is vomiting.

Subcutaneous (SC) route

Simple procedure; slow absorption, do not inject hypertonic solutions.

Intramuscular (IM) route

Faster absorption than SC; avoid injecting directly into blood vessels.

Intravenous (IV) route

Immediate access, dilutes irritating drugs; risk of toxic/allergic reactions.

Intraperitoneal (IP) route

Used for fluids when other routes fail; slow absorption.

Intraarterial route

Seldom used route; may produce seizures or death.

Intracardiac route

Used primarily for administering emergency drugs or for euthanasia.

Intramedullary route

Used for fluids/blood in small animals with damaged veins.

Inhalational route

Delivers drugs to the respiratory system; requires special equipment.

Topical route

Placed on skin or mucous membranes; facilitated by carriers.

Intradermal route

Used primarily for allergy testing and tuberculosis diagnosis.

Factors influencing drug absorption

Absorption method, pH/ionization, surface area, blood supply, solubility, dosage form.

Six required drug label items

Names, concentration/quantity, manufacturer, control/lot number, expiration, controlled status.

Three regulatory agencies

FDA, EPA, and USDA.

FARAD purpose

Provides resources to avoid drug residues in food animals.

AMDUCA

Act of Congress making extralabel veterinary drug use legal.

Compounding

Combining, mixing, or altering drug ingredients to customize dosage.

Dangers of drug residues

Allergic reactions, neoplasia in humans, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Three classes of drug interactions

Pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmaceutic.

Ethical product

Sold only through veterinarians by manufacturer policy, not FDA law.

Metabolite

A drug that has been biotransformed.

Indication

A reason to use a drug.

Four common drug preparations

Oral, parenteral, inhalation, and topical.

Boluses

Large animal oral tablets administered with a balling gun.

Two parenteral injection forms

Injections and implants.

Six rights of drug administration

Right patient, drug, dose, route, time/frequency, and documentation.

Pilling gun

Device used to administer oral medications by hand to cats.

Simplex IV system

A gravity-set IV system used to administer fluids to large animals.

Six controlled substance log items

Date, owner, patient, drug, amount, and administering personnel.

Syringe drug storage warning

Plastic syringes may absorb the drug, making it less effective.

Four syringe tip types

Luer-Lok, slip-tip, eccentric, and catheter-tip.

Tuberculin syringe capacity

Holds up to 1 mL of medication.

Insulin syringe unit division

Divided into units rather than milliliters.

Enteric coated tablets

Acid-resistant coating prevents dissolution in stomach; dissolves in small intestine.

Elixir vs. Emulsion

Elixir is alcohol-based; emulsion is unmixed liquids requiring shaking.

IV bolus vs. IV infusion

Bolus is one-time rapid; infusion is slow over time via pump.

Controlled substance inventory frequency

Must be inventoried at least once every 2 years.

C-I

Controlled substance class indicating the highest abuse potential.

DEA registration validity

Valid for a period of 3 years.

∗ 2 gtt AD TID × 7d

Place two drops in right ear three times a day for 7 days.

∗ 1t PO EOD PRN

Give one tablet by mouth every other day as needed.

∗ Amoxicillin 100 mg tabs PO BID × 10d

Give one Amoxicillin 100 mg tablet by mouth twice daily for 10 days.

∗ Baytril 2.5 mg/kg IM

Give 2.5 mg/kg of Baytril intramuscularly.

Indwelling catheter maximum duration

Typically 72-96 hours should not be exceeded.

Large animal oral liquid techniques

Dose syringe (small/large amounts) or stomach tube (large amounts).