Pharmacology Flashcards

Flashcards for NUR 1141C Pharmacology course, covering key concepts and terms.

Pharmacology

The study of the effect of chemicals on living tissues.

Pharmacodynamics

What the drug does to the body, involving physiological and biochemical processes of mechanism of action of drugs.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to the drug, involving changes in concentration of drug through physiologic processes.

Drug

A chemical or substance that causes changes in the structure or function of living organisms

Medicine

The vehicle for administration of the drug (active ingredient) to the human or animal e.g. tablet, capsule, injection, ointment, inhaler, suppository etc.

Generic name

Standardized internationally recognized name for a drug e.g. ferrous sulfate, metoprolol, omeprazole, ibuprofen etc.

Trade or Brand name

Name given by the manufacturer e.g. Ferrogradumet (ferrous sulfate), Viagra® (sildenafil); Ventolin® (salbutamol)

Toxicity

Intoxication or poisoning.

Therapeutics

Use of drugs for intended clinical benefits – cure of a disease, relief of symptoms etc.

Prime goal of drug therapy

Achieve the desired beneficial effects with minimal adverse effects

Drug-receptor interactions

Specific receptors with which specific drugs can interact within the organs of the body.

Plant sources

Morphine, atropine, some vitamins are examples of this drug source.

Animal sources

Thyroxine, insulin are examples of this drug source.

Mineral sources

Lithium, magnesium are examples of this drug source.

Microorganisms

Penicillins, cephalosporins are examples of this drug source.

Synthetic

Benzodiazepines, phenothiazines, some vitamins are examples of this drug source.

Bioengineered (recombinant DNA technology)

Human insulin, human growth hormone are examples of this drug source.

Endorphins

Endogenous opioids within the body found to have a role in pain perception, mood and a number of other physiological functions.

Opioid agonists

Substances with a similar chemical structure to morphine that attach to opioid receptors and trigger certain responses.

Analgesia

Relief of pain.

Opioid Antagonists

Chemical substances that can attach to the opioid receptors and just ‘occupy’ them without triggering an effect

Naloxone (Narcan®)

An opioid antagonist which blocks the effects of morphine etc. and will reverse respiratory depression caused by high doses of morphine.

Agonists

Stimulate receptors.

Antagonists

Block receptors.

Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to the drug

ADME

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion

First Pass Metabolism

Extent of metabolism that occurs before drug enters the systemic circulation.

Half-Life

How long it takes for ½ of the drug to be eliminated from the body