Pharmacology Key Terms and Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to pharmacology, focusing on drug interactions, contraindications, precautions, pharmacokinetics, and important related definitions.

Interactions

Medications, foods, and beverages that interact with the medication, potentially increasing or reducing levels in the blood and increasing the risk of adverse reactions.

Contraindications

Reasons or conditions that make the administration of a drug improper or undesirable, e.g., aspirin is contraindicated in patients with GI bleeding.

Precautions

Necessary actions or special care required when a patient is on medication, including considerations for laboratory tests and special populations.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of a medication.

Biological half-life

The time it takes for half of the drug to be metabolized or eliminated from the body.

Onset

The time it takes for the drug to produce a response.

Peak

The time it takes for the drug to reach its greatest effective concentration in the blood.

Duration

The time during which the drug is present in the blood at levels sufficient to produce a response.