An Introduction To Pharmacology Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamentals of pharmacology, drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and specific medication guidelines as presented in the lecture notes.

Pharmacology

The study of how chemical agents, both natural and synthetic (i.e. drugs), affect biological systems.

Drug

Any substance that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.

Efficacy

The maximum response that can be achieved with a drug.

Potency

The dose of a drug that is required to produce a specific effect.

Therapeutic index

The ratio that compares the blood concentration at which a drug becomes toxic and the concentration at which the drug is effective.

Prescription only medications

Medications that can be used only when prescribed by a physician.

OTC (Over the Counter medications)

Medications you can buy without a prescription.

Pharmacokinetics

The action of the body on the drug, which includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Metabolism (Biotransformation)

The process of altering pharmaceutical substances in the body so they are eliminated more easily, primarily occurring in the liver.

Prodrug

An inactive drug (representing approximately $20\%$ of drugs) that becomes active upon metabolism within the body.

Elimination (Excretion)

The removal of drugs from the body, either as a metabolite or an unchanged drug, with the kidney being the major site.

Pharmacodynamics

What a drug does to the body; the study of the biochemical, physiologic, and molecular effects of drugs including receptor binding and chemical interactions.

Adrenaline

A neurotransmitter associated with the "fight or flight" response.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter associated with mood.

GABA

A calming neurotransmitter.

Agonist

Drugs that occupy a receptor and activate them.

Antagonist

Drugs that occupy a receptor and block them, having no pharmacological activity.

Inverse agonist

A drug that binds to the same receptor as an agonist but induces a pharmacological response opposite to that of the agonist.

API (Active Pharmacological Ingredient)

The biologically active component in a pharmaceutical drug product.

Excipient

Inactive ingredients used for purposes other than therapeutic effects, such as fillers, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, and preservatives.

Placebo

Any treatment that has no active properties.

Category A (Pregnancy)

Controlled studies show no fetal risk.

Category X (Pregnancy)

Contraindicated in pregnancy due to evidence of risk to the human fetus.

Chemical name

A drug name based on its chemical composition and structure, such as Benzodiazepines.

Generic name

The abbreviation form of a chemical name chosen by an official body, such as diazepam.

Brand name

The commercial name given by a company to market a drug, such as Valium.

Analgesic

Medications used as pain killers or pain relievers.

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Non-opioid analgesics that act as analgesics, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes.

Prostaglandins

Key biological mediators involved in inflammation, pain, heat, and swelling.

Antithrombotic

A blood thinner, such as Aspirin when used in low doses between $75$ and $325\,mg$.

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)

A non-opioid, centrally acting analgesic and antipyretic with poor anti-inflammatory effect.

Histamine

A chemical messenger produced in the body in response to injury or foreign substances.

First generation H1 blockers

Antihistamines like Chlorphenamine that penetrate the central nervous system (BBB), causing sedation and having a short duration of action.

Second generation H1 blockers

Antihistamines like Loratadine that do not penetrate the BBB, are less sedative, and have a long duration of action.

Decongestants

Medicines like oxymetazoline that provide short-term relief for a stuffy nose by activating alpha-adrenergic receptors to cause vasoconstriction.

Rebound congestion

A worsening of nasal congestion caused by using decongestant sprays for more than three days.

Asthma

A chronic disease characterized by hyper-responsiveness of the airway, narrowing, swelling, and extra mucus production.

PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors)

Drugs like Omeprazole that block gastric acid secretion by irreversibly binding to the hydrogen-potassium ATPase pump.

GERD

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

H2 receptor antagonists

Medicines like Ranitidine and Famotidine that reduce acid production by the cells in the lining of the stomach.

Antacid

A substance like calcium carbonate that neutralizes stomach acidity to relieve heartburn and indigestion.

Laxative

Medications used to treat constipation, which is defined as usually fewer than $3$ stools per week.

Bulk forming laxatives

Laxatives like Bran capsules that absorb liquid in the intestines to soften stools.

Stimulant laxatives

Laxatives like Bisacodyl that cause rhythmic muscle contractions in the intestine to induce bowel movement.

Osmotic laxatives

Laxatives like Lactulose that draw water from the body into the bowel to soften waste.

Emesis

The involuntary, forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth or nose.

Bactericidal

A type of antibiotic that directly kills bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

A type of antibiotic that stops the growth of bacteria rather than killing them directly.

Broad spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that act against a wide variety of bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative.

Beta-lactam antibiotics

A class of antibiotics that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, which inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Tetracyclines

Broad-spectrum, bacteriostatic antibiotics like doxycycline that inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the $30S$ subunit.

Macrolides

Bacteriostatic antibiotics like Azithromycin that inhibit the $50S$ subunit of protein synthesis.

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal antibiotics like Gentamycin that bind to the $30S$ ribosome and are associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

Fluoroquinolones

Broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin that inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis and are generally avoided in children under $18$ years old.

Sulphonamides

Folate synthesis inhibitors (anti-folate) like Bactrim used for UTIs and bacterial diarrhea.

Antiretroviral

Drugs used to fight retrovirus infections, specifically including HIV.