Pharma’s
What does Pharmacology mean And what does pharmacodynamics mean?
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and chemicals that alter functions of living organisms.
pharmacodynamics is the study of biochemical and physiologic interactions of drugs at the sites of activity.
What is the generic name?
Official name of the drug
•Universal name for the medication; may be a chemical name
•Usually reflects the drug grouping
What is absorption And what is bioavailability?
Body absorbing medication. It plays a huge part in determining onset of the medication
•Dosage and type of medication
•Route of administration
•Functioning of the GI tract and presence of food
Bioavailability: the amount of the drug that reaches the blood stream
•Oral vs Intravenous medication
What is the difference between therapeutic and Idiosyncratic effects?
Therapeutic Effects
•What we expect the drug to do
•Loading dose vs. Maintenance dose
Idiosyncratic Effects
•Opposite response of a therapeutic effect
What is an adverse drug effect?
ANY undesirable response to medication
What is the difference between Pharmacoeconomics And Pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacoeconomics is the costs of drug therapy; includes production and dispensing medications.
Pharmacogenomics is studying how an INDIVIDUAL responds to medications r/t genetics.
What is the trade/brand name?
Name given by the manufacturer
•These can vary
•Lopressor, Amoxil, Xanax
What is distribution?
transport of drug molecules in the body
•Affected by circulation
•Protein Binding
•Water soluble vs Lipid Soluble Medications
•Medications can cross the placenta or enter breastmilk
What’s the difference between agonistic and antagonistic effects?
Agonistic medications
•Drugs that have the same effect as something else (natural or artificial)
Antagonistic medications
•Drugs that ‘get in the way’ and prevent other effects of other drugs
Where do medication errors occur regarding drugs?
•Happens during preparation and administration of medication
What is pharmacokinetics?
The movement of drugs throughout the body
•Absorption
•Distribution
•Metabolism
•Excretion.
It is extremely important to know how the drug progresses through the body
•Serum Drug Levels
•Onset
•Duration
•Half-Life
What is a prototype drug?
the first drug in a class to be produced
•Subsequent drugs are compared to the prototype
What is metabolism?
The alteration of pharmaceutical substances in the body so that they can be eliminated more easily.
~Done mostly in the Liver~
•Also known as biotransformation
•Inactivates the drug prior to excretion
•First Pass Effect
•Portions of the drugs are broken down in the GI tract and transported straight to the liver through the portal circulation
•This effect reduces the amount of medication available for distribution
What is the difference between additive and synergistic effects?
Additive Effects
•Effect when multiple substances with the same expected responses are taken simultaneously (substance+med)
Synergistic Effects
•Effect when two drugs with different receptors or MOA are taken to enhance the desired effect (2 drugs)
What is an allergic reaction regarding adverse effects?
Antibody/Antigen response
•Can range from a mild rash to severe anaphylaxis
What is pharmacotherapy?
the use of drugs to prevent, diagnose, or treat signs, symptoms, and diseases
types of drugs? (Categories)
•Over the Counter Medications
•Prescription Medications
•Herbal Medicines
•Alternative Therapies
•All client medications given in a facility by the nurse must have a provider’s order.
What is excretion?
the body’s way of elimination drugs
Locations for excretion:
•Kidneys
•Bowel
•Skin
•Lungs
What is tolerance?
•Body has become accustomed to the medication.
•Higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effect
What are Idiosyncratic Responses and Carcinogenic Effects
Idiosyncratic Response:opposite of therapeutic responses
Carcinogenic Effects: potential to cause cancer
What is Pharmaceutics?
branch of pharmacology concerned with the preparation, use, or sale of medicinal drugs
What are the drug classifications? (Groups)
Drugs are grouped according to their general outcomes in the body, chemical make up and therapeutic values
•Opioid agonists (opioids)
-Morphine, Codeine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl
•Beta Adrenergic Blockers (beta blockers)
-Metoprolol, Labetalol, Propranolol
•Antihistamines
-Loratadine, Cetirizine, Meclizine
•Proton Pump Inhibitors
-Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole
•Absorption
-Decreased gastric acidity and motility
•Distribution
-Decreased circulation
-Nutrition affects protein levels in the body
•Metabolism
-Decreased circulation through the liver>>higher concentrations remain
•Excretion
-Decreased function of the kidneys>>higher concentrations remain
What is toxicity? And how does antidote play a role?
•Drug is administered too frequently or in too high of a dose
•Antidote: Substance given to antagonize toxic effects of a drug
What are black box warnings?
•Strongest FDA given warning
•Medication may cause serious or life-threatening adverse effects
•Recently added to antidepressant drugs, nonopioid analgesics, and immediate release opioid analgesics