Pharmacology Final Study Guide fb

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key pharmacology terms from the notes.

Indications

Reasons for giving a drug to a patient.

Contraindications

Reasons for not giving a drug to a patient.

Legend drugs

Prescription drugs regulated by the FDA that require labeling and veterinary oversight.

Caution (legend) text

The statement: “Caution: Federal law restricts the use of this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”

Veterinarian-client relationship

A relationship where the veterinarian is responsible for medical decisions and the client follows instructions; requires knowledge and follow-up.

Regimen

Plan for administering drugs, including type, route, dosage, frequency, and duration.

Route of administration

The method by which a drug is given (e.g., PO, IV, IM, SQ).

PO (oral)

Administration by mouth.

IV (intravenous)

Injection into a vein; rapid onset but often shorter duration.

IM (intramuscular)

Injection into a muscle; slower than IV but faster than SQ.

SQ/SC (subcutaneous)

Injection into the tissue beneath the skin.

ID (intradermal)

Injection into the skin (often for testing).

IP (intraperitoneal)

Injection into the abdominal cavity.

IA (intraarterial)

Injection into an artery.

Intraarticular

Injection into a joint.

Intracardiac

Injection into the heart; used for euthanasia or CPR.

Intramedullary

Injection into the bone marrow cavity.

Epidural

Injection into the epidural space along the spine.

Subdural

Injection into the subdural space near the spine.

Nebulizer

Drug inhalation as a fine mist (antibiotics or bronchodilators).

Metered-dose inhaler

Hand-held device that delivers a precise inhaled dose.

Anesthetic gases

Gaseous anesthetics delivered with vaporizers.

Transdermal

Drug delivery through the skin (patch) with slow absorption.

Gloves caution

Gloves should be worn handling drugs that penetrate skin to protect the handler.

Concentration gradient

Movement of drugs from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration.

Bioavailability

The fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation.

Water-soluble

Drugs that dissolve in water; tend to stay in the bloodstream and may bind to proteins.

Lipid-soluble

Drugs that dissolve in fats; can cross membranes and may be stored in fat or liver.

Placenta

Placental barrier can affect drug transfer to the fetus.

Blood-brain barrier

Barrier that limits passage of substances into brain tissue; affects brain exposure.

Liver (bile) excretion

Elimination of drugs via bile from the liver.

Kidneys (urine) excretion

Elimination of drugs via urine from the kidneys.

Milk excretion

Drugs excreted in milk via mammary glands.

Lungs excretion

Drugs eliminated through the lungs; often volatile compounds.

GI excretion

Drugs excreted via the gastrointestinal tract.

Skin excretion

Drugs excreted via sweat glands, saliva, or skin.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of how drugs produce physiological changes by interacting with cells/tissues.

Efficacy

Degree to which a drug produces its desired effect (maximal effect).

Potency

Amount of drug needed to achieve the desired effect; reflected on a dose–response curve.

LD50

Lethal dose for 50% of animals tested.

ED50

Dose that produces the desired effect in 50% of animals.

Therapeutic index

Ratio of LD50 to ED50; safety margin of a drug.

Adverse drug reaction

Any undesired or harmful response to a drug.

Formulary

A book listing drug dosages and adverse reactions.

Proprietary vs generic

Trade name (patented) vs non-patented, generic copy of a drug.

Drug labels (components)

Labels include generic and trade names, concentration/quantity, manufacturer, controlled-substance status, lot number, expiration date.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; regulates animal topical pesticides.

DEA

Drug Enforcement Agency; regulates controlled substances and requires licensing/record-keeping.

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture; regulates biologics (vaccines, serums, antitoxins).

AMDUCA

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act; allows extra-label use under defined conditions.

Six rights of administration

Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time/frequency, Right documentation.

Emulsions

Milky oral solutions that require shaking; mixtures may separate.

Elixirs

Sweetened, flavored liquids with dissolved drugs (often containing alcohol).

Pill guns

Device to administer oral solid medications.

Syringe tips (types)

Slip tip: common; Luer lock: needle locks to syringe; Eccentric tip: large-volume injections; Catheter tip: for feeding or catheter use.

Endotracheal tubes

Airway tubes placed in the trachea for ventilation or anesthesia.

Tranquilizers

Drugs that calm or quiet a patient, with little analgesia.

Neuroleptanalgesics

Combination of opioid and tranquilizer providing analgesia and sedation.

Behavioral pharmacotherapy

Drugs used to treat behavioral problems, often with environmental management.

Antianxiety medications

Drugs that reduce anxiety in animals.

Antidepressants

Drugs that treat mood disorders; may have sedative or other adverse effects.

Serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that increase serotonin in the brain; may have GI/behavioral side effects.

MAO-B inhibitors

Block monoamine oxidase B; increase dopamine; used for certain cognitive or neurodegenerative conditions.

Inotropic drugs

Drugs that affect the force of heart contraction (positive increases, negative decreases).