Pharma Intro

Lecture 1

RVTs are responsible for

administering medication, monitoring patient response, educating clients

We need to have a basic understanding of:

why treatments are chosen for particular patients how the drugs work possible side effects (adverse reactions)

**RVTs are often the first to detect problems**

What is Materia Medica?

Study of the physical and chemical characteristics of materials used to create medications and drugs

* used to be plant extracts, bacteria and animal tissue
* now mostly synthetic

Became Pharmacology

What is a Drug?

chemical compound used on or administered as an aid in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease or other abnormal condition, for the relief of pain or suffering, or to control or improve any physiologic or pathologic condition

What is a poison?

a substance that, on ingestion, inhalation, absorption, application, injection, or development within the body, in relatively small amounts, may cause structural or functional disturbance

What can make a drug become a poison?

* incorrect route
* Inappropriate concentration
* incorrect patient
* incorrect species
* administered to food animals with no withdrawal time

Chemical name

Describes chemical composition of drug

Found in drug inserts or formulary

Generic name

* Scientific or official name
* mor concise name used by many manufacturers

Trade name

propiety or brand name

unique name a manufacturer gives its particular brand of a drug

Generic manufacturers cannot use trade name

Trade vs Generic drugs

* The company that develops a drug has patent protection for several years


* Once this period is over, other companies can manufacture & sell drug as... “generic equivalents”

What is a Prescription Drug?

* Must be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian
* Provided to public by pharmacist or veterinarian
* VCPR (Vet Client Patient Relationship)is required

What are Compounded drugs?

Combining or mixing together of two or more ingredients (of which at least one is a drug) to create a final product in an appropriate form for dosing. It can involve an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) or the alteration of the form and strength of commercially available products.

What information does the drug package insert contain?(8)

Indications

Precautions

Contraindications

Overdose

Dosage & administration

Storage requirements

Warnings

Technical & scientific information

Why are compounded drugs made?

* change concentration
* add flavour
* allow for alternate routes of administration
* make it more easily available
* make it safe to be used with other species

Concerns with Compounded Drugs?

slight change can cause a change in action and performance in patient

change in efficacy and safety

the DVM may be liable for negative effects

short shelf life

what is extra label use?

* Using the drug in any other way than what is labeled
* DVM can prescribe using their professional judgement
* Regulated by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (1994) in USA
* Informed consent per the CVO’s statement

What makes a drug a controlled substance?

has the potential for physical addiction, psychological addiction, and/or abuse

Who is legally responsible for ordering, storage, use, and disposal of a controlled drug?

The DVM

What are the 2 things required for use of controlled drugs?

Record keeping (kept and produced for examination-2y)

Secure storage

What is on the controlled drug log?

Date, Client Id, Client address, Animal ID, Signature, Amount deducted, amount added, balance

what does the FDA/DEA/Health Canada veterinary division ensure?

consistency

efficacy

quality

what needs to exist to provide an Rx?

* Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
* DVM assumes responsibility for judgements
* DVM has sufficient knowledge of patient
* DVM is readily available for follow-up

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7 legal componants to a written prescription

1. DVM info: name, license #, address & telephone
2. Client/patient info.: name, address & telephone # / animal name(s), species
3. Date written
4. Name, strength and quantity of drug
5. Dosing instructions
6. # of refills
7. Signature

Label requirements

1. name and address of dispenser
2. client name
3. patient name and species
4. drug name strength and quantity
5. date of dispensing
6. directions for use in clear specific language
7. refill information
8. warning or advisory information

when handling drugs…

Clean hands

follow manufacturer recommendations and advisories

be aware of special considerations

wipe down counter and dispensing tray

wash hands after

What should an RVT discuss with the client?

Name of drug & accurate dosing instructions
What it is used to treat
When to begin & duration of course
When it should take effect
Possible side effects
Signs of drug reaction
When to seek medical advice & how
How to obtain a refill (if possible)
How to manage other illnesses while on new medication

Considerations when storing drugs

•Temperature

•Humidity

•Light exposure

•Expiration date

•Reconstitution guidelines