Download Understanding the Basics of Pharmacology

Understanding the Basics
of Pharmacology
Pharmacology
 Study
of drugs that alter body
functions
 Generic name: chemical name
 Brand name /Trade name
Pharmacokinetics
Body’s affect on drug
 Absorption:
incorporating drug
into body
 Distribution: transport to tissues
 Metabolism: inactivation of drug
 Excretion: elimination of drug
Half -Life
 Time
total amount of drug
diminishes by one half
 Loading dose: larger dose given
rapidly to reach therapeutic
level quickly
Pharmacodynamics
 How
drugs produce physiologic
actions
 Drug action: interaction
between drug and cellular
components
 Drug effect: response from drug
action
Receptors
 Are
located on the cell
 Are proteins, enzymes, nucleic
acids
 Drug-receptor interaction can
modify: cell function /rate of
function
Ion Channel Effects
May be opened or closed
 Causing ions to move in or out
of cell
 Produces cell excitation or
inhibition

Drug Action
 Influenced
by receptor type,
location, number of sites
 Affinity : Binding to given
receptor site
 Efficacy: After binding, initiates
activity
Agonists
 May
stimulate cell function
 Produce effects similar to
natural effects
Antagonist
 Inhibits
cell function by
occupying receptor sites