Pharmacology

Overview of Pharmacology

• Pharmacology: The study of medications and drugs, including their effects and actions in the body.

Key Terms

• Medication: A substance used to treat, prevent disease, or provide pain relief.

• Pharmacodynamics:

  • Definition: Relates to the action of drugs on the body.

  • Focus: What the medication does once administered.

• Pharmacokinetics:

  • Definition: Involves the movement of drugs through the body.

  • Focus: How medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated.

Mechanisms of Drug Action

• Agonists:

  • Define: Drugs that activate receptors.

  • Example: Heroin attaches to the mu opioid receptor to produce its effects.

• Antagonists:

  • Define: Drugs that block receptors from being activated.

  • Example: Naloxone (Narcan): Aims to block the effects of opioids, reversing overdoses.

Drug Interaction Examples

• Epinephrine:

  • Acts on alpha and beta receptors:

    • Alpha 1: Increases blood pressure.

    • Beta 1: Increases heart rate and strength of contraction.

    • Beta 2: Dilates lungs, helpful in anaphylaxis and asthma.

• Beta Blockers (e.g., Metoprolol):

  • Function: Reduces heart rate and stress on the heart.

  • Indication: Useful for high blood pressure management.

Drug Profile Components

• Mechanism of Action: Description of drug actions in the body.

• Indications: Situations where the drug is appropriate to use.

• Contraindications: Situations or conditions where a drug should not be used.

• Adverse Effects: Potential side effects that may occur.

• Dose: Amount of medication to be given, often measured in milligrams or micrograms.

• Special Considerations: Factors such as pregnancy or pediatrics that require caution in drug administration.

• Drug Class: Category to which the drug belongs (e.g., opioids, sympathomimetics).

• Brand Name vs. Generic Name:

  • Brand name: Marketing name (e.g., Advil).

  • Generic name: Clearer version related to the chemical name (e.g., ibuprofen).

Routes of Administration

• Intravenous (IV): Directly into a vein, rapid action.

• Intraosseous (IO): Into the bone marrow, used when IV access is difficult.

• Inhalation: Administering drugs through the lungs (e.g., nebulizers).

• Intranasal: Administering drugs through the nose.

• Sublingual: Placing under the tongue (e.g., nitroglycerin).

• Rectal: Common in pediatrics for certain medications.

• Intramuscular (IM): Into muscle tissue (e.g., EpiPen).

• Oral (PO): Medication taken by mouth (pills, liquids).

• Subcutaneous (SC): Administered just under the skin.

• Transcutaneous: Topical applications (e.g., creams).

Nine Patient Rights in Medication Administration

• Right Patient: Confirm the correct individual.

• Right Medication: Ensure the correct drug is administered.

• Right Indication: Medication must match the condition.

• Right Dose: Appropriate quantity to be given.

• Right Route: Correct method of administration.

• Right Time: Ensure the timing of the medication is appropriate.

• Right Education: Inform the patient about the medication's purpose and effects.

• Right to Refuse: Patient's right to decline medication.

• Right Response/Evaluation: Assess if the medication has desired effects; includes ongoing assessment and documentation.