Therapeutic applications

Pharmacology

the study of all aspects of drugs

Clinical pharmacology/therapeutics

applying pharmacology to specifics treatments

Roles of Vet techs in pharmacology

inventory control
drug administration
patient monitoring
client communication
controlled drug handling
filling prescriptions
calculating meds

the 4 rules of safe drug usage

1: all drugs are poison
2: no drug is a silver bullet
3: all doses are guesses
4: complacency kills

Why are all drugs poison?

all drugs have a physiologic effect on the body other than the intended effect because of that we as tech need to know how to maximize and minimize the bad effects.

Why is no drug a silver bullet?

no drug will always behave the same way for the same disease in all animals because every patient has a different physiology. Drugs work by altering a patient's normal physiology.

Why are all doses guesses?

doses are estimated based on a scientific guess. drugs work by altering a patient's normal physiology and since every patient is different physiologically, the dose will be different

Why does complacency kill?

most clinic used the same small group of drugs for most patients which leads to someone being too comfortable unaware of potential dangers and hazards

Chemical name

describes the chemical component or molecular structure of a drug

Generic (nonproprietary) name

name for a particular medication, not including a trademark or brand name, usually the active ingredient

brand (proprietary/trade) name

unique name a manufacturer gives the medication

difference between generic and brand name

Generic brands cannot go in the market for typically 7-12 years after the release of a brand name, they DO NOT go through FDA testing and are cheaper.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

governmental regulatory agency in the U.S that controls drug approval

Extract

a therapeutic agent composed of specially prepared plant or animal part rather than synthetic chemicals

Over the counter (OTC)

medication that has a safe ingredient that does not require a prescription

Examples of OTC

Benadryl, Neosporin, nutraceuticals

Legend drug

drugs that require a veterinarians prescription

examples of legend drugs

abx, certain NSAIDs, controlled substances

VCPR

the veterinarian has examined the animal and has adequate medical information on the animal

dosage form

a description of the physical appearance of the drug

Solids

typically, oral but also suppositories and implants
(tablets, capsules, caplet, powder granules)

Liquids

injectables, oral, topical
(Solutions, suspensions, liniments, emulsion, lotions

semisolids

oral, topical, suppositories (gels, ointments, creams, pastes)

Parenteral

drugs injected into the tissue

Intra-arterial

into the arteries

intra-articular (IA)

into the joint space

epidural

into the dura meter space in the spinal column

Intraosseous

into the bone marrow

intrathecal

into the spine (CSF)

Non-parenteral

all methods of administering a therapeutic substance or medication to a patient that do not involve puncture of the skin

Non-parenteral routes

PO, transmucosal, ophthalmic, otic, topical, suppositories

Suppositories

dosage form designed to be placed in the rectum

Tablets (solids)

caplet or molded

caplets

tablets in the shape of a capsule

Molded

chewable tablets

Capsule (solid)

can be modified just like tablets

enteric coating

type of tablet covering preventing a tablet from dissolving in the acidic environment of the stomach

Extended/sustained release

dose form that slowly dissolves for a more gradual release of active ingredient over a longer period of time.

gel caps/soft gel:

powdered drug surrounded by a capsule of gelatin, modified starch, or cellulose that dissolve faster

Lozenge/troche

drug is incorporated into a hard candy like tablet, and is meant to be held in the mouth until dissolved.

Solutions

homogenous mixtures where two particles cannot be differentiated with the naked eye.

aqueous solution

a mixture with the diluent being water

Tincture/Elixis

alcohol based solution

Syrups

drugs dissolved into a liquid sugar solutions

Suspensions

heterogenous mixture that does not dissolve, and different components will separate (do NOT inject)

injectable dosage form

administered by a needle and syringe that often require a type of container which the drug is supplied (NEVER suspensions)

Ampules

small, airtight thin glass bottle that is physically opened by snapping the narrow neck of the bottle

Multidose vials

larger bottles that are intended for multiple doses to be drawn over time (common, cost effective)

Single dose vials

bottles that are meant for singular use (vaccines)

Implants

solid object placed under the skin designed to release medication over an extended period of time. (hormones)

Drug/packet insert

the manufactured document inserted into, or attached to the side of each package/bottle

what does a drug insert contain?

information the fda mandates, current drug formulas, dosages, warnings, and precautions

Extra label/off label

drug is used in a manner other than the FDA approved use, legal under certain cercumstance

what circumstance must be followed when using off labels?

extended withdrawal times for food animals, extra information regarding the use is available in medial sources from experts in vet journals and research

Active ingredient

the part of the drug that produces the intended beneficial effect (generic name)

Insert ingredients

other ingredient that are meant to stabilize, preserve, and even add flavor to a drug (additive). can have adverse effects

Indications

the approved reason for the use of the drug

side effects

any effect of a drug other than the intended beneficial use

Contraindications

are circumstances that a drug should not be used

Precautions

describes the mild adverse reactions with a predicated change in cx, or patient condition that does not require much medical intervention

Warnings

the more serious and frequent side effects that could potentially do significant harm (can be group with precautions)

Black box label

the strongest warning the FDA can require for a drug label that contains adverse effect that have serious and life-threatening consequences