Drug sources and how drugs are named

What is pharmacology?

The study of chemicals (drugs) that affect body functioning

How does the World Health Organization define a drug?

Any substance or product used to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient

What are the two main branches of pharmacology?

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

What is pharmacodynamics?

The study of how drugs affect the body

What is pharmacokinetics?

The study of how the body affects drugs (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)

What are the main sources of drugs?

Microorganisms, plants, animals, minerals, and laboratory synthesis

Give an example of a drug derived from a microorganism.

Penicillin, produced by a fungus

What are plant-derived drugs?

Drugs obtained from plants or plant parts used for centuries in medicine

Which plant is morphine derived from?

The poppy plant (*Papaver somniferum*)

What is morphine used for?

Pain management

Which plant is digoxin derived from?

The *Digitalis purpurea* (purple foxglove) plant

What is digoxin used for?

To slow heart rate and treat congestive heart failure

Which plant is caffeine derived from?

The *Caffea arabica* plant

What is caffeine used for?

As a stimulant to increase alertness

Why are plants important in pharmacology?

They remain a major source of chemicals used to develop modern drugs

What are animal products used for in pharmacology?

To replace human chemicals affected by disease or genetic problems

Give an example of a drug originally derived from animals.

Adrenaline – originally obtained from adrenal glands of monkeys, sheep, and cows

How is adrenaline produced today?

It is synthesised artificially

What is adrenaline used to treat?

Anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest

Give another example of a drug originally derived from animals.

Insulin – originally isolated from pigs and cows

How is insulin produced today?

Synthesised artificially by genetically modified bacteria

What is insulin used to treat?

Diabetes mellitus

Why are animal sources important in drug development?

They provided early models for human hormones and enzymes before synthetic production

What are the three types of drug names?

Chemical name, generic name, and trade (brand) name

What does the chemical name describe?

The chemical composition and molecular structure of the drug

Give an example of a chemical name.

Para-acetyl-amino-phenol (C₈H₉NO₂)

What is the generic name?

The non-proprietary, abbreviated name approved for general use

Give an example of a generic name.

Paracetamol

Who sets generic names in Australia?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

What is the Australian term for a generic name?

Australian Approved Name (AAN)

What is the trade or brand name?

The name chosen by the company selling the drug, protected by trademark

Why can one drug have multiple trade names?

Different manufacturers produce the same drug under different brand names

Give examples of trade names for paracetamol.

Panadol, Panamax, Dymadon, Tylenol