CPhT Blue Book - Chapter 4 Introducing Pharmacology

Pharmacology

the science of drugs and their interactions with the organ systems of living animals

Therapeutics

appropriate use of drugs for targeted medicinal purposes

Pharmacodynamics

biochemical, physiologic, and molecular effects of drugs on the body

Toxicology

symptoms, detection and treatment of poisonous effects and side effects

Pharmaceutics

various dosage forms and routes of administration and their drug-releasing capabilities

Pharmacokinetics

movement of drugs within the body; absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of drugs from the body, and harmful drug interactions

Pharmacognosy

natural sources of drugs and herbs

Indications

common intended uses, to treat specific diseases

Contraindications

the specific situations in which a drug should not be used because it will be harmful to a patient

Side Effects

related unintended reactions

Paradoxical Drug Reactions

a medication has the opposite effect from what is normally expected

Drug Interactions

when a drug affects the intended indication of another medication or reacts poorly with it

Adverse Drug Events (ADEs)

injuries or harmful responses due to use of a drug

Pharmaceutically Equivalent

each generic drug is formulated to contain the same amount of active ingredient in the same dosage form as the original, FDA-approved brand name drug

Therapeutically Equivalent

provide the same medicinal benefit at the same dosage rates within the same degree of safety under the conditions specified in the labeling as the name brand version

Pharmaceutical Alternative

drug products contain the same active therapeutic ingredients but different salts or come in different dosage forms

FDA Orange Book

provides information on generic substitution of drugs that may have different brand name or generic manufacturer sources

Biological Drugs

come from a variety of live or once-live sources, including animals, humans, microorganisms

Biological Reference Product

original drug that went through the extensive, clinical trials for safety and effectiveness

Interchangeable Biological Drugs

both biosimilar and have been proven to offer similar therapeutic effects

Pharmaceutical Mechanism of Action

precise ways that the active ingredient exerts their influence on the body

FDA Purple Book

reference for interchangeable biological drug products

FDA Green Book

for veterinary-oriented substances

Drugs Facts and Comparisons

primary reference for considering drugs by their anatomical classification and finding the generic substitutions

Neurons

specialized nerve cells

Neurotransmitters

chemicals

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

reduce swelling

Narcotics

pain relieving drugs that may substantially affect mood and behavior

Analgesia

relieves or reduces pain

Sedation

allays anxiety and causes drowsiness

Euphoria

produces feelings of extreme high mood and energy

Dysphoria

develops feelings of anxiety, disordered thoughts, hyperfear, restlessness, malaise, or hallucinations

Opiates

drugs from the opium poppy plant

Opioids

synthetically made narcotics that offer opium-like effects of reduced perception and reaction to pain, and increased pain tolerance

Adjuvant Medication

helped medications; not strictly used for pain but help in pain management and may be prescribed along with a pain reliever

Depressants

drugs meant to reduce activity and nervous actions

Opioid Use Disorder

potential for misuse of opioids

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

fight swelling

Steroids

complex synthetic substances that can resemble human hormones

Corticosteroids

resemble the human cortisol, can be targeted to reduce the body’s natural mechanisms of swelling and white blood cell production

Psychoactive Drugs

medications targeted to modify the brain functions to influence mood, perception, and consciousness

Hypnotic

drugs that induce sleep

Benzodiazepine (BZD)

to treat anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and insomnia

Antipsychotic

used to manage disordered thought and personality behaviors; to treat severe anxiety and depression

Serotonin

hormonal neurotransmitter that affects memory, mood, appetite, sexual desire and function

Depression

a common but serious disorder that can affect mood, thinking, or ability to engage in daily activities

Norepinephrine

“stress" hormone that helps us address challenges with increased breathing, blood pressure, and sugar levels

Dopamine

movement, sexual desire, motivation, pleasure, and enjoyment

Bioaccumulate

collect in the fat cells of the body

Withdrawal Symptoms

adverse reactions such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, shaking

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs

to enhance the antidepressant effect of traditional antidepressants

Bipolar Disorder

excessively low mood, energy, activity

Mania

excessively high mood, energy, activity

Schizophrenia

mental and emotional fragmentation and faulty reality perception

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

antidepressants that block the reabsorption of serotonin so that more of the secreted serotonin circulates for positive effects

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

manifest itself in difficult focusing or concentration, overactivity, and difficulty in impulse control

Seizures

spasms caused by overfiring of the neurons of the brain and nervous systems

Anticonvulsant

antiseizure; to calm the nervous system by inhibiting the overly rapid and excessive firing of neurons

Muscle Relaxants

reduce muscle strain and pain

Antihypertensive Agents

to lower bp by dilating blood vessels, slowing heart rate, and increasing the elimination of fluids from the body

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

stop calcium from entering the cells of the heart and blood vessels, making them more flexible and able to relax and widen, lessening bp

Beta-adrenergic Blockers (Beta Blockers)

antihypertensive drugs for heart conditions that help regulate the blood-pressure raising effect of the hormone epinephrine which makes the heart beat faster

Diuretic

reduce water retention

Renal

kidney

Angiotensin-converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor

reduce blood pressure and prevent heart failure by blocking or reducing the liver production of an enzyme that constricts blood vessels

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

block the absorption of the enzyme

Angioedema

a swelling under the skin that can be a life-threatening allergic reaction, manifested by swelling of the tongue, lips, or eyes

Antihypelipidemic Drugs

drugs that treat hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia

a condition marked by elevated cholesterol, phospholipids, and/or triglycerides

Low-density Lipoproteins (LDLs)

bad cholesterol and contribute to artery blockages

High-density Lipoproteins (HDLs)

good cholesterol-work to break up blockage in the blood vessels

Triglycerides

another type of fat found in the blood stream consisting of three lipids combined

Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors)

prevent the production of LDL by blocking a key enzyme in the liver that makes it

Bronchodilators

open the breathing passageways

Histamines

forth a series of immune responses in allergies that involve the nose and lungs

Antihistamines

fight histamine responses