SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY
FIDES 1901
MANILA
INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY by Ram Jairus L. Lapira MD
Introduction to Pharmacology
History of Pharmacology
MIMS and Drug Monographs
Over the Counter Drugs
Drug Evaluation and Regulation
Legal and Ethical Foundations of Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacology: The study of substances that interact with living systems through chemical processes a- Specifically involves binding to regulatory molecules, influencing bodily processes.
Definition: The science of substances used to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases.
A branch of pharmacology focused on the undesirable effects of chemicals on living systems (from cells to ecosystems).
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs
Pharmacodynamics
What the drug does to the body
Factors include:
Chemical
Patient
Environment
Intended and unintended targets
Other organisms
Therapeutic and toxic effects
Pharmacokinetics: What the body does to the drug.
ADME: Stands for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.
Pharmacodynamics: What the drug does to the body.
Involves the mechanism of action of drugs.
Study of genetic variations affecting drug responses among individuals or populations.
Connects individual genetic makeup to their drug reactions, contributing to personalized medicine.
Early recognition of beneficial or toxic effects of plant and animal materials.
Late 17th century: Shift from theorizing to empirical observation in physiology and medicine.
Development of species and their medicinal uses known as materia medica, precursor to pharmacology.
18th and early 19th centuries: François Magendie and Claude Bernard established methods of experimental physiology and pharmacology.
Introduction of rational therapeutics, and importance of controlled clinical trials for evaluating therapeutic claims.
Any substance that alters biological function through chemical action.
Drugs are classified into:
Agonists: Activators
Antagonists: Inhibitors
Specific molecules that drugs interact with, regulating biological functions (example: Caffeine interacts with Adenosine).
Drugs with primarily harmful effects.
Toxins: Biologically-derived poisons from plants or animals.
Contrast with inorganic poisons like lead or arsenic.
All substances can be toxic under certain conditions.
Chemicals in botanicals are similar to drugs but may have impurities.
All health-enhancing therapies should meet efficacy and safety standards similar to traditional drugs.
Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous forms of drugs have different routes of administration:
Oral (PO), Intramuscular (IM), Subcutaneous (SQ), Inhalation.
Most drugs are weak acids or bases; pH can affect drug ionization.
Size, electrical charge, shape, and atomic composition.
Molecular sizes vary widely; most drugs have molecular weights between 100 and 1000.
Larger drugs (like proteins) often require direct administration into the effect compartment.
Types of bonding:
Covalent Bonds: Irreversible.
Electrostatic Bonds: Includes ionic, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions (weaker).
Hydrophobic Interactions: Involve lipid-soluble drugs with cell membrane lipids.
Van der Waals Bonds: Weakest; transient charges.
Hydrogen Bonds: Moderate strength; polarizing atoms.
Ionic Bonds: Stronger attraction between charged atoms.
Covalent Bonds: Strongest; involves shared electrons.
Predicts optimal molecular structures based on receptor information.
Shift from random testing of chemicals to more targeted designs.
Two categories of interactions:
Pharmacodynamics: Drug's effect on the body.
Pharmacokinetics: Body's effect on the drug.
Can be dispensed without a prescription for minor ailments.
Must be sold under pharmacist supervision.
Time-tested and well-studied.
Proven safety and efficacy with high therapeutic index.
Not bioequivalent problems or classified as prohibited by health authorities.
MIMS: Monthly Index of Medical Specialties; a prescribing reference since 1959.
Provides concise summaries of prescription information for healthcare professionals.
Explanation of drugs found in handbooks, online, and apps.
Contains necessary information for safe administration and prescription.
Includes:
Generic Name
Pronunciation Guide
Brand Name
Therapeutic Class
Pregnancy Category
Indications
Dosages
Administration
Adverse reactions, interactions, and symptoms of overdose are specified.
Active Ingredient Example: Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg
Function: Antihistamine for allergy relief.
Warnings about potential drowsiness and other cautions.
Animal Studies: Required before human testing.
Accelerated approval can occur for urgently needed drugs.
Required for all new drugs; involves lethal dose evaluations in various species.
Important for medications used long-term (2–24 months).
Mutagenesis
Carcinogenesis
Teratogenesis
List of teratogens that can cause fetal harm:
ACE Inhibitors, Antiepileptic Drugs, Barbiturates, etc.
More substances with notable fetal effects (e.g., Tetracycline leading to tooth discoloration).
Evaluates drug effects on fertility, teratogenic, and mutagenic risks during pregnancy.
Classifications of drugs based on safety in human and animal studies (A through X).
Topics:
Phases of Clinical Trials.
Dengvaxia issue in the Philippines.
Questions about essential pharmacology concepts and definitions.
Examples covering drug classes, mechanisms, and characteristics.
Katzung, Bertram G. (2018) Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (14th Edition).
Administrative Order from the Philippines Department of Health for guidance.