Drug Therapy: Roles, Regulations, Actions, and Responses

These flashcards cover key concepts related to drug therapy, pharmacology, and the body's response to drugs as described in the lecture notes.

Drug Therapy

A plan to improve a health problem that includes the use of drugs.

Therapeutic Effects

Intended actions of a drug that produces a desired outcome.

Side Effects

Minor effects of a drug that can occur alongside its therapeutic effects.

Adverse Effects

Harmful side effects that can lead to serious health problems.

Agonist Drugs

Drugs that must interact with the correct receptor to change cell activity.

Antagonist Drugs

Drugs that block receptors so that intrinsic drugs can’t bind.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs change cell activity.

Bioavailability

The amount of drug that reaches the bloodstream.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how the body affects a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Half-life

The time required for the concentration of a drug in the blood to be reduced by half.

Teratogenic

Describes drugs that can cause birth defects.

Loading Dose

A larger initial dose of a drug, often used for drugs with a long half-life.

Black Box Warning

Warning that appears on a drug’s labeling to highlight serious risks.

Drug Interactions

Situations where drugs react with other substances like food, vitamins, or herbal compounds.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration; agency that enforces drug standards.

USP

United States Pharmacopeia; establishes drug manufacturing standards.

DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration; regulates controlled substances.

Metabolism

The process by which the body breaks down drugs.