Midterm 1 LOs

What are the early sources of drugs according to the history of pharmacology?

Early drugs were derived from plants, including cannabis, cocaine, and opioids.

Who established the pharmacopoeia list of medicinal drugs?

Dioscorides established the pharmacopoeia during the 1st century.

What is pharmacology?

It is the study of drugs.

What does pharmacokinetics study?

Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to drugs.

What does pharmacodynamics study?

Pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body.

Define receptor in the context of pharmacology.

A receptor is a macromolecule whose biological function changes when a drug binds to it.

What is the difference between an agonist and an antagonist?

An agonist has both an affinity for a receptor and intrinsic activity, while an antagonist has an affinity but no intrinsic activity.

What are spare receptors?

Spare receptors are extra receptors that increase the sensitivity of the tissue to a given drug.

What does Kd signify in pharmacology?

Kd is the concentration of a drug that occupies 50% of receptors at equilibrium; a high Kd indicates low affinity.

What is EC50?

EC50 is the concentration of a drug that elicits 50% of the maximal response.

What is the therapeutic index?

The therapeutic index is the ratio of the toxic dose (TD50) to the therapeutic dose (ED50) of a drug.

What is the effect of allosteric interactions?

Allosteric interactions can inhibit binding of an agonist or potentiate binding, involving alternative sites on the receptor.

Give an example of an allosteric modulator and its action.

Benzodiazepines, like diazepam, potentiate the actions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at its receptor.

What is downregulation in terms of receptor activity?

Downregulation occurs when a tissue is persistently stimulated by an agonist, leading to a reduction in the number of receptors.

What factors influence drug absorption?

Molecular size, gastric emptying time, food interactions, and intestinal transporters influence drug absorption.

What is bioavailability?

Bioavailability is the fraction of a drug that reaches systemic circulation.

What happens to a drug's clearance in enzyme inhibition?

Enzyme inhibition reduces metabolism and increases drug levels in the body.

What is pharmacogenetics?

Pharmacogenetics is the study of how genetic variations influence an individual's response to drugs.

Describe a fusion protein in drug therapy.

Fusion proteins are created by merging different proteins, such as a receptor linked to an antibody fragment, to target specific disease areas.

What are the potential risks of gene therapy?

Risks include Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and off-target effects which may unintentionally modify unintended genes.

What is the significance of half-life in pharmacokinetics?

Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%, affecting dosing frequency.

What are monoclonal antibodies used for?

They are lab-made antibodies that target specific proteins, often used in cancer and autoimmune diseases.

What is one drawback of monoclonal antibodies?

High cost, as monoclonal antibodies can be ten times more expensive than traditional drugs.

What role does the liver play in drug metabolism?

The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism, converting lipophilic compounds into hydrophilic substances for excretion.

What is the significance of the first-pass effect?

The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, often reducing its bioavailability.

What is the main function of cytochrome P450 enzymes?

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are crucial in the metabolism of many drugs, facilitating their breakdown and elimination from the body.

How do transport proteins affect drug distribution?

Transport proteins can enhance or inhibit the uptake and distribution of drugs across cell membranes, influencing their therapeutic efficacy.

What does the term 'therapeutic window' refer to?

The therapeutic window is the range of drug doses that produce the desired effect without causing toxicity.

What is a loading dose?

A loading dose is an initial higher dose of a drug given to rapidly achieve the desired concentration in the bloodstream.

What are the common routes of drug administration?

Common routes include oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and inhalation.

What does 'pharmacovigilance' involve?

Pharmacovigilance involves monitoring the effects of drugs after they have been approved for use to ensure their safety and efficacy.

How does chronic drug use affect receptor sensitivity?

Chronic drug use can lead to receptor desensitization, reducing the effectiveness of the drug over time.

What is the impact of age on pharmacokinetics?

Age can significantly affect pharmacokinetics; elderly patients may experience altered absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.

What is the primary purpose of pharmacology?

The primary purpose of pharmacology is to study how drugs interact with biological systems and their effects on the body.

What are therapeutic drugs?

Therapeutic drugs are medications used to treat medical conditions and improve health.

What is a drug's mechanism of action?

A drug's mechanism of action describes how it produces its effects on the body at the cellular or molecular level.

What does 'ADME' stand for in pharmacology?

ADME stands for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion, which are the processes that determine drug behavior in the body.

What role do enzymes play in drug metabolism?

Enzymes facilitate the chemical reactions that modify drugs, making them easier to excrete from the body.

What is the significance of drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when one drug affects the action of another, potentially leading to increased side effects or reduced efficacy.

What are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?

Over-the-counter drugs are medications available without a prescription, used to treat common ailments.

Define prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs are medications that require a doctor's authorization for dispensing and use.

What is the purpose of clinical trials in drug development?

Clinical trials are conducted to test the safety and efficacy of a new drug before it can be approved for general use.

What is a contraindication in pharmacology?

A contraindication is a specific situation or condition where a certain drug should not be used due to potential harm.