Drug Action and Interactions Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary terms and definitions covering drug action, LADME stages, drug interactions, and Canadian drug legislation based on the lecture transcript.

Peak Action Time

When the drug reaches the highest concentrations on the target receptor sites.

Duration of Action

How long the drug works.

Desired action

What we want the drug to do.

Idiosyncratic reactions

When something unexpected or abnormal happens when a drug is first administered.

Allergic Reactions

When a patient has previously been exposed to drugs or whose immune systems have developed antibodies to the drug.

Unbound Drugs

Portion of drugs that are pharmacologically active and not bound to proteins.

Drug Receptors

Specific sites where drugs form chemical bonds.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of interactions between drugs and their receptors and the series of events that results in a pharmacologic response.

Agonist

A drug that interacts with receptors to stimulate a response.

Antagonist

A drug that attaches to a receptor but does not stimulate a response.

Enteral

Route of drug administration via the GI tract by oral, rectal, or nasogastric means.

Parenteral

Route of drug administration that bypasses the GI tract by using subcutaneous, IM, or IV injections.

Percutaneous

Route of drug administration through the skin and mucous membranes.

Liberation

The stage where a drug is released from its dosage form and dissolved in body fluid; the drug must be broken down to work.

Absorption

The process of a drug moving from the entry site to the body's circulating fluid.

Distribution

The transport of drugs throughout the body by fluids to the sites of action.

Metabolism

The process where the body inactivates a drug, primarily in the liver, GI tract, or lungs.

Excretion

The elimination of the metabolized drug, primarily through the kidneys.

Half-Life of Drugs

Factors modifying the quantity of drug reaching a site of action after a single oral dose.

Onset of action

When the concentration of a drug at the site of action is sufficient to start a physiologic response.

Fast Tracking

A process used to expedite drug development and approval for life-threatening illnesses.

Parallel Tracking

Used for patients with life-threatening illnesses who cannot participate in controlled trials when there are no other options.

Black Box Warning

An identification of a very life-threatening problem from a medicine.

Orphan Drugs

Drugs that are only used for very specific diseases that are rare.

Orphan Drug Act, 1983

Promotes the development of products that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis or treatment of rare diseases or conditions.

Proper name

The nonproprietary or generic name used to describe an official drug in Canada.

Food and drugs Act (1927)

Protects the public in Canada through the Therapeutic Products Directorate.

NAPRA

National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities; assigns drugs to four categories (Schedule I, II, III, and unscheduled).