Chapter 14 Special Topics

Pharmacology

The study of the sources and uses of chemicals and how they may interact with the human body to treat diseases. Pharmacy is the practice of preparing and dispensing medications.

the study of the origin, characteristics, and effects of drugs. Drugs are obtained from many different sources. Some drugs, such as vitamins, are found naturally in the foods we eat. Others, such as hormones, are obtained from animals. Penicillin and some other antibiotics are developed from mold, which is a fungus. Plants have long since been used for medicinal healing purposes and continue to be a source of many of today’s modern medicines. Many drugs (such as those used in chemotherapy) are synthetic, meaning they are developed by artificial means in a laboratory.

Drug Names

The chemical name describes the chemical formula or molecular structure of a particular drug.

For example, the chemical name for ibuprofen (an over-the-counter pain medication) is 2-p-isobutylphenyl propionic acid.

ibuprofen in our example, is the generic name (or nonproprietary name) and is recognized and accepted as the official name for a drug.

Brand name: motrin, advil, nuprin

prescription drug

can only be ordered by licensed healthcare practitioners such as physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants

A prescription is the written explanation to the pharmacist regarding the name of the medication, the dosage, and the directions for use.

Rx: name and size of medication

sig: instructions for label (amount, when, how)

disp: number to dispense

over-the-counter drug

A drug that does not require a prescription

How to read a prescription

Refer to Figure 14-1 for an example of a prescription. In this sample, the prescribed drug (Rx) is Tagamet (a medication to reduce stomach acid) in the 800 milligram (mg) size. The instructions on the label are to say (Sig) to take 1 (1˙) by mouth (po) three times a day (tid). The pharmacist is to dispense (disp) 30 tablets (#30). The prescription concludes by informing the pharmacist to refill the prescription two times and another medication may be substituted. Each prescription must contain the date, physician’s name, address, and Drug Enforcement Administration number as well as the patient’s name and date of birth. The physician must also sign their name at the bottom of the prescription. A blank prescription cannot be handed to a patient.

route of administration

The method by which a drug is introduced into the body

Abbreviations Prescriptions

Abbreviations for Eyes and Ears

Example Prescription with Abbreviations

Mental Health