Pharmacology and Drug Basics

Pharmacodynamics

What a drug does to the body

Facilitated diffusion

Movement of molecules with the concentration gradient using carrier proteins

Drug excretion

Elimination of a drug from the body

Active ingredient

Ingredient that causes a biological effect

Prodrug

Pharmacologically inactive substance that is metabolized to create an active drug

Expiration

Quality and safety of a medication at a specific point in time

Labelled indication

Official instructions on how to use a drug

Absorption

Process of a drug entering systemic circulation

Distribution

Process of a drug being transported to different tissues in the body

Metabolism

Chemical reactions in the body that transform a drug

Excretion

Elimination of a drug from the body

Passive transfer

Movement of small uncharged or lipid molecules through a membrane

Filtration through aqueous pores

Movement of water-soluble molecules through a protein pore

Active transport

Movement of molecules against the concentration gradient using energy

Endocytosis

Process of a cell engulfing molecules to form a vacuole

Rate of Absorption of Drug

Factors that impact the rate at which a drug is absorbed

Dissolving time of drug

Time it takes for an oral drug to dissolve

Formulation of drug

The way a drug is prepared and presented

Particle size

Size of drug particles

GI motility

Movement of the gastrointestinal tract

Rate of distribution of the drug

Factors that impact the rate at which a drug is distributed

Lipid solubility

Ability of a drug to dissolve in lipids

Blood flow

Blood flow to various parts of the body

Drug metabolism

Biochemical transformation of a drug

First pass metabolism

Metabolism of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract and liver

Kidney

Most important organ for drug excretion

Pharmacology

Study of drugs and their interaction with living systems

Drug

Substance recognized in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary

Prescription drugs

Pharmaceuticals that require a prescription from a healthcare professional

Over-the-counter drugs

Pharmaceuticals that can be purchased without a prescription

Chemical name

(11β)-11,17,21-Trihydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione

Generic name

Prednisolone

Trade or brand name

Pred Forte®

Ligand

Substance that binds to a target

Target or receptor

Molecule that selectively binds a ligand and leads to a response

Agonist

Drug that activates a receptor and mimics natural agonists

Antagonist

Drug that inhibits a receptor and blocks access to natural agonists

Competitive antagonist

Antagonist that binds to the same site as an agonist and blocks it

Non-competitive antagonist

Antagonist that binds to a different location and prevents receptor activation

Shelf life

Drug quality over a specified amount of time

Off-label prescribing

Prescribing a drug for a use not officially approved but commonly done in healthcare practice

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to a drug

Therapeutic Effect

Intended or desired effect of a drug

Adverse Effect

Side effects or toxic effects of a drug

Lipid solubility

Ability of a drug to dissolve in lipids

pH

Acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Presence of food

Whether food is present in the stomach

Vascularity & S.A. of absorbing area

Blood flow and surface area of the absorbing area

Ionization

Process of a drug becoming charged

Renal

Kidney elimination of waste and extra water as urine

Fecal

Elimination of a drug through feces

Pulmonary

Elimination of a drug through the lungs

Glands

Elimination of a drug through glands

Sweat

Elimination of a drug through sweat

Mammary

Elimination of a drug through breast milk