Pharmacology and Therapeutics I Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and specific drug classes for the GI, Urinary, Respiratory, Nervous, and Cardiovascular systems, as well as Haematology and Malnutrition treatment.

Pharmacology

The study of medication or drugs, concerned with their nature, properties, uses, effects (therapeutic or toxic), and mechanism of action.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how a drug moves through the body, specifically involving the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the relationship between drug exposure (concentration or dose) and the resulting biochemical and physiological effects on the body.

Bioavailability

The proportion of a drug that enters the systemic circulation when introduced into the body to illicit an effect; defined as $100\%$ for intravenous administration.

Natural Sources

Drugs obtained from plants, animals, microorganisms, minerals, or marine life, such as Morphine from poppy plants or Insulin from bovine/porcine pancreas.

Semi-Synthetic Sources

Drugs obtained from natural sources that are chemically modified to improve potency and efficacy or reduce side effects, such as ampicillin from penicillin.

Biosynthetic Sources

Drugs produced using living organisms or recombinant DNA technology, such as Human Insulin or the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Simple Diffusion

The movement of substances across cell membranes from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration, used by almost all drugs.

H2 Receptor Antagonists

A class of drugs that reduces stomach acid production by blocking histamine at the H2 receptors on parietal cells, such as Cimetidine and Ranitidine.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Drugs that suppress gastric acid secretion into the stomach lumen by irreversibly binding to the $H^+/K^+$ ATPase enzyme, such as Omeprazole.

Antacids

Short-acting agents that directly neutralize gastric hydrochloric acid at the chemical level to provide fast relief from heartburn and indigestion.

Mucosal Protectants

Agents like Sucralfate that form a complex coat adhering to ulcers on the mucosal lining to protect them from gastric acid and enzymes.

Prostaglandin Analogs

Drugs such as Misoprostol that inhibit gastrin secretion and stimulate mucus and bicarbonate production to provide a protective lining in the stomach.

Bulk-forming Agents

Laxatives that increase stool bulk to stimulate peristalsis, also serving as an important food source for beneficial gut bacteria.

Osmotic Diuretics

Agents such as Mannitol that inhibit the reabsorption of water and sodium in the proximal convoluted tubules and descending loop of Henle.

Loop Diuretics

Drugs like Furosemide that act on the $Na^+/K^+/2Cl^-$ symporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle to inhibit electrolyte reabsorption.

Thiazide Diuretics

Drugs that block the sodium-chloride symporter in the distal convoluted tubules, commonly used as a first-choice treatment for hypertension.

Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

Agents like Spironolactone that increase sodium excretion while decreasing potassium and calcium excretion, often by inhibiting aldosterone.

Bronchodilators

Medications used to relax airway muscles and widen the bronchi, including beta-2 agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline.

Mucolytics

Mucoactive drugs like ambroxol and acetylcysteine that dissolve thick mucus by breaking down the chemical bonds between mucus molecules.

Antitussives

Cough suppressants that inhibit the coordinating region for cough in the brain stem, intended primarily for dry, non-productive coughs.

Analgesics

Drugs used to diminish the sensation of pain without causing loss of consciousness, such as NSAIDs and Opioids.

NSAIDs

Non-opioid analgesics like Ibuprofen and Aspirin that work by inhibiting the synthesis and release of prostaglandins by the enzyme Cyclooxygenase (COX).

Opioids

Strong analgesics like Morphine and Pethidine that reduce pain perception by activating opioid receptors on neuronal cell membranes in the CNS.

General Anaesthetics

Drugs like Propofol and Isoflurane that induce temporary, reversible loss of consciousness and total physical sensation for surgical procedures.

Local Anaesthetics

Agents like Lidocaine and Bupivacaine that cause a reversible loss of sensation in a limited region of the body without affecting consciousness.

Benzodiazepines

Psychotropic drugs that act as indirect agonists for $GABA_A$ receptors, increasing the calorie-inducing activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

Serious side effects of antipsychotic drugs including acute dystonia, akathisia, Parkinson syndrome, and tardive dyskinesia.

Cardiac Glycosides

Positive inotropic agents derived from the foxglove plant, such as Digoxin, used to increase heart contractility while lowering heart rate.

ACE Inhibitors

Antihypertensive drugs that prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, such as Captopril and Lisinopril.

Haematinic

A nutrient or agent required for the formation of blood cells, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folate, used to treat various forms of anaemia.

Microcytic Anaemia

A classification of anaemia characterized by red blood cells that are smaller than normal, often due to iron deficiency or Thalassemia.

Megaloblastic Anaemia

A type of macrocytic anaemia characterized by abnormally large red blood cells, typically caused by Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency.

SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition)

A condition defined by the presence of bilateral pitting oedema and/or severe wasting, affecting children aged 6 to 59 months.

RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food)

A nutrient-dense paste like Plumpy'Nut that does not require mixing with water, essential for treats uncomplicated SAM in the community.