Download Pharmacology

Pharmacology
‘Pharmac’ Medicine
Categories


Drugs are categorised according to function e.g.
anti inflammatories,

antihypertensives,

Antibiotics
Are known as group names
Drugs
Generic Name
 Name given to individual drugs – usually relates to
chemical compounds e.g. paracetamol
Trade or brand name
 Name given to a drug by the company that made it
 Names are registered and must be written with a
capitol e. Panadol
 Some drugs can have many trade names
Routes of Administration

Drugs can be administered in a variety of
ways

This depends on what type the drug is; how
quickly it produces an effect & whether the
patient is conscious or not

Route is described as “per” meaning through
Terms and Abbreviations
Term
per oral
Meaning
through the
mouth
Inhaled
breathed into
the lungs
Sublingual under the
tongue
Topical
on the skin
Abbreviation Medication
type
PO,O
tablets, syrup,
powders
inhal
sprays or
powders
SL
certain tablets
TOP
creams,
lotions,
powders
Terms and Abbreviations
Term
Meaning
Abbreviation Medication
type
Intramuscular into the muscle
IM,IMI
solutions for
injections
Intravenous
into the vein
IV,IVI
solutions
specifically for
injection
Per vagina
into the vagina
PV
pessaries,
douches
Per rectum
into the rectum
PR
Suppositries,
enemas
Drug Actions

Side effects – e.g. Aspirin relieves pain but can
cause irritation to the gastric mucosa,and trigger
asthma

Contraindications (cautioned against) – e.g. aspirin
is contraindicated for people with gastric ulcers or
asthma

Cumulation – some drugs can accumulate in the
body if taken in high doses of over a long period of
time and cause toxic effects
Cumulation

Digoxin is a drug used for cardiac
arrhythmias. (slows & strengthens the
heartbeat

Digoxin can accumulate in the body causing
the heart to slow down too much, as well as
causing GIT upsets, dizziness, and confusion
Tolerance

This occures as the body becomes
accustomed to the drug so larger doses are
needed over time to achieve the desired
effect

E.g. drugs of addiction such as Pethidine,
Morphine
Common types of drugs
Type of drug
Action
Antihistamine
works against allergies
Antipyretic
Analgesic
works to decrease temperature
(pyr/o means heat)
works to stop pain
Antifungal
works to overcome fungal infections
Antibiotic
works to overcome bacterial
infections
Anti arrhythmic works to stop abnormal heartbeats
Common types of drugs
Type of drug
Action
Diuretic
works to increase the amount of fluids
filtered by the kidneys
Vaccine
works to protect the body from
infectious diseases
Antidepressant works to overcome depressive illness
Antiinflammatory
works to reduce inflammation in soft
tissue
Act 1
Dangerous drugs -2 main
categories

Prescription medication – can only be
dispensed with a registered doctor’s
prescription

Over-the- counter medication- can be
purcheased without a script
Medical Practices &
medications

Moderate supply is kept on the premises.

Be aware that medications & scripts are targets for theft

Poisons Act describes laws regarding storage of drugs and handling of
all medications

Drugs in Medical Practices are Schedule 4 and 8.These are classed as
dangerous drugs

You may be responsible for checking and recording stock numbers and
ordering new supplies.

Know your responsibility and follow policy & procedure regarding
medications
Dangerous Drugs – Schedule 4

Can only be bought on prescription

Include mild addictive drugs e.g. those used
for sleeping disorders, as well as hormones,
antidepressants and anti-inflammatory
Schedule 8 drugs




Include highly addictive drugs e.g. Morphine,
and Pethidine
These drugs are kept in a separate lockable
cupobosrd securely attached to the wall.
All S8 drugs are recorded in a register which
shows all transactions
Any loss or theft must be reported to
Pharmaceutical Services Branch
Consumer Product Information

Is the written information that accompanies the
medication
It explains
 what it is


when &how it should be taken
possible side effects
Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme

Is provided by the Commonwealth
Government

Form of subsidy – costs less to the public

PBS Safety Net – after a specified maximum
amount is paid per year, medication will be
cheaper for the remainder of the year
MIMS

Is a manual that describes all current drugs
and product information

Includes generic and trade names
Abbreviations

Refer to notes
General Terms
Anaphylaxis
An acute allergic reaction to a medication which can be
life threatening depending on severity
Bacteria
single celled organisms – responsible for many
infections that antibiotics are used
Contraindications
Any factor in a patient’s condition that makes it unwise
to use a particular treatment
Hypersensitivity
Abnormal reaction of theimmune system to an
antigen.Only occurs on second or subsequent
exposures
Interaction
Altered reaction of the body to one drug when another
is taken at the same time
Parental
A term applied to the administration of drugs or pther
substances ay any route other than GIT tract