pharmville

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

The study of drug actions and drug interactions with living organisms

Drugs

Chemical substances that are not required for normal maintenance of body function and produce a biologic effect in an organism

Paracelsus

The grandfather of Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

The study of the way the body processes a drug and includes how drugs are absorbed, reach their site of action, are metabolized (physically & chemically changed), and exit the body

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of drugs on the normal physiological functions of the body

Lock & Key

The most common mechanism of drug action is drug binding to the receptor sites on a cell

Agonist

A drug that binds to the receptor, producing a similar response to the intended chemical and receptor

Agonist

A drug that promotes the desired result

Antihistamine

Blocks receptor site of histamine cell thus reducing itching and swelling

Antagonist

A drug that attaches itself to the receptor, preventing the agonist from acting

Antagonist

A drug that stops the receptor from producing a response

Medications

Are administered to produce a predictable physiologic response called the therapeutic effect

Discontinue

If the side effects are severe enough to out-weigh the benefits of the medication, the physician may choose to ___________ the drug

Therapeutic Effect

Purpose of the medication

Therapeutic Effect

Causes usually, drug binds to receptor sites on cells

Therapeutic Effect

Examples are pain relief, blood pressure control, reduced inflammation

Side Effect

Predictable action or effect of a drug other than that desired

Side Effect

Causes related to the chemical and therapeutic characteristics of the medication

Side Effect

Examples are nausea, headache, insomnia, dry mouth

Toxic Effect

Poisonous, potentially lethal

Toxic Effect

Causes are inadequate excretion, impaired metabolism, overdose, or drug sensitivity

Toxic Effect

Examples are respiratory depression, kidney failure

Idiosyncratic Effect

Overreaction, under reaction, unusual reaction

Idiosyncratic Effect

Causes are unknown, unique to individuals

Idiosyncratic Effect

Examples are sedative causes anxiety, increases/decreases appetite, mild stimulant causes extreme excitation

Allergic Response

Characteristic response to an allergen

Allergic Response

Prior sensitization to an initial dose of the medication or one of its components

Allergic Response

Examples are hives, asthma attack, and bronchospasm

Synergistic Effect

Responses to combined drug that differ from their individual effects

Synergistic Effect

Causes are chemical or physiological drug interaction

Synergistic Effect

Examples are combination of hypertension medication and diuretic drug causes weakness and fainting

Analgesics

Drugs that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness

Analgesics

Can be divided into two groups: the nonopioids (nonnarcotic) and the opioids (narcotic)

Analgesics

Pain reliever

Anesthetic Agents

Reversibly depress neuronal function, producing loss of ability to perceive pain and/or other sensations

Local Anesthetics

Blocks nerve conduction from an area of the body to the CNS

Anesthetic Agents

The extent of their action depends on the area to which they are applied

Antiallergic and Antihistamine Drugs

Provides symptomatic relief of allergic symptoms caused by histamine release

Histamines

The body makes chemicals called __________ when encounters any allergen

Antihistamines

Reduce or block histamines, so they stop allergy symptoms

Anxiolytics

Drugs used in the treatment of anxiety

Anxiolytics

They act on the CNS to calm or relax the anxious patient

Benzodiazepines

Used as a preoperative drug for various procedures performed in the radiology department

Benzodiazepines

Can be abused, and physical dependence has been documented

Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, which are variations from the normal rhythm of the heartbeat

Sodium Channel Blockers

These drugs bind to and block fast sodium channels that are responsible for rapid depolarization (phase 0) of fast-response cardiac action potentials

Vaughan-Williams Classifications

Antiarrhythmic Drug Classes

Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I Vaughan-Williams Classification

Beta-blockers

Class II Vaughan-Williams Classification

Potassium-channel blockers

Class III Vaughan-Williams Classification

Calcium-channel blockers

Class IV Vaughan-Williams Classification

Beta-blockers

Stop the action of the hormone adrenaline

Beta-blockers

Relieves tachycardia by slowing heart rate

Beta-blockers

It can also lower blood pressure and decrease the stress of the heart

Potassium Channel Blockers

Bind to and block _________ channels that are responsible for phase 3 repolarization

Calcium Channel Blockers

For patients with angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure, and an arrhythmia – the doctor may prescribe these drugs

Calcium Channel Blockers

These drugs dilate the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow to the heart, which helps ease chest pain and decrease blood pressure

Antibacterial Drugs or Antibiotics

Drugs that destroy or suppresses the growth of bacteria or their ability to reproduce

Antibacterial Drugs or Antibiotics

Includes a range of powerful drugs and are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria

Antibacterial Drugs or Antibiotics

Cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu, and most coughs

Anticoagulant & Coagulant Drugs

Inhibit the clotting mechanism of the blood; used to keep IV lines and arterial catheters open during diagnostic procedures

Anticoagulant & Coagulant Drugs

Prevents blood clots following heart attack

Antidepressants

Medications that can help relieve symptoms of depression, social anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder, and dysthymia, or mild chronic depression, as well as other conditions

Antidepressants

Aims to correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain that are believed to be responsible for changes in mood and behavior

Antiemetic Drugs

Ease nausea or vomiting

Antiemetic Drugs

Works by blocking neurotransmitters, which send information about nausea to the brain

Antihypertensive Drugs

Used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)

Antihypertensive Therapy

Seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction

34%

Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by __%

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Refers to the ability of a medicine to help fight pain and unwanted or abnormal immune system reactions by reducing inflammation

NSAIDs

Block the production of certain body chemicals that cause inflammation

Antiseptic Agents

Also known as skin disinfectants, are chemicals for cleaning the skin and wounds

Antiseptic Agents

Kills/prevent the growth of microorganisms

Disinfectants

Tend to have higher concentrations than antiseptics, which are not suitable for use on the skin or mucous membranes

Antibacterial Sprays

Are effective in killing or slowing the growth of bacteria. They do not kill or prevent viruses from growing, however

Bronchodilators

A medication that relaxes and opens the airways, or bronchi, in the lungs

Respiratory diseases

Cause bronchospasm, which is constriction or narrowing of the airways

Bronchospasm

Constriction or narrowing of the airways

Bronchodilators

Work by relaxing the muscles in the airways

Beta-2 Antagonists

Causes the smooth muscles surrounding the airways to relax

Beta-2 Antagonists

Improves airflow and reduces symptoms, such as shortness of breath

Anticholinergic Drugs

Blocks the action of acetylcholine, a chemical released by the nerves that can lead to tightening of the bronchial tubes

Anticholinergic Bronchodilators

Cause the airways to relax and open by blocking the chemical acetylcholine

Xanthine Derivatives

Relax the airway muscles, although doctors do not know precisely how they work

Theophylline

The main xanthine derivative

Purgative

Stronger action resulting in more fluid evacuation

Purgative

Causes bowels to evacuate everything

Laxative

Milder action, elimination of soft but formed stools

Laxative

Makes defecation easier; Substances that ease defecation

Cathartic

Make urgency to defecate sooner; Substances that accelerates defecation

Antidiarrheal Drugs

A drug that is used to slow down or stop loose stools

Diarrhea

Loose stools

Antidiarrheal Drugs

Works by slowing down the movement of the gut

Antidiarrheal Drugs

This decreases the number of bowel movements and makes the stool less watery

Diuretics

Any substance that promotes diuresis

Diuresis

Increased production of urine

Diuretics

Also called water pills, are medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine

Sedatives

A type of prescription medication that slows down your brain activity

Sedatives

Typically used to make you feel more relaxed

Sedatives

A drug that reduces excitement and calms the person without inducing sleep