Chapter 1

Drugs/Agents and
Factors Affecting Their
Action

Pharmacology

Study of the history, sources, and

physical and chemical properties of
drugs
Also looks at the ways in which drugs
affect living systems
Various subdivisions of pharmacology
have evolved

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Pharmacodynamics

Study of the biochemical and

physiological effects of drugs
Study of drugs mechanisms of action

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Pharmacokinetics
Study of the absorption, distribution,
biotransformation (metabolism), and
excretion of drugs
Four steps

Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion

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Pharmacotherapeutics

Study of how drugs may best be used in

the treatment of illnesses
Study of which drug would be most
appropriate or least appropriate to use
for a specific disease; what dose would
be required; etc.

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Pharmacognosy

The study of drugs derived from herbal

and other natural (plant and animal) drug
sources
Studying compositions of natural
substances helps to gain knowledge for
developing synthetic versions

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Toxicology

Study of poisons and poisonings

All drugs have the potential to become
toxic.

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History of Pharmacology

Ancient Egypt: the cradle of

pharmacology

These medical sources listed over 700

different remedies for different ailments.

First century: Dioscorides prepared De

Materia Medica:

Listed and classified 600 different plants

used for medicinal purposes; first time plants
were ever classified

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Sources of Drugs

Drugs derived from:

Natural sources
Semisynthetic sources
Synthetic sources

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Drug Uses

Symptomatic treatment
Prevention
Diagnostic drugs
Curative
Health maintenance
Contraception

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Dosage Forms

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Tablets
Timed or sustained release
Tablets or controlled release
Capsule
Troches
Suppositories

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(continued)

Solutions
Douche
Suspensions
Emulsions
Topicals

Dosage Forms

Patches

Drug implants

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Parenteral Product Packaging

Ampules

Sterile
Sealed glass or plastic container
Contain a single liquid dose

Vials: either single or multiple dose

Glass or plastic container

Sterile liquid dose
Sealed with a rubber diaphragm

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Drug Names

Chemical name

The drugs chemical composition and

molecular structure

Generic name (nonproprietary name)

Name given by the United States Adopted

Names Council
Allows the drug to be marketed

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Brand Name

Also called trade name (proprietary name)

The drug has a registered trademark; use

of the name is restricted by the drugs owner
(usually the manufacturer)
Allows the drug to be commercially distributed
The superscript is registered by the U.S.
Patent Office and approved by the FDA (Food
and Drug Administration)

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Drug Names: Examples

Chemical name

Generic name

(+/-)-2-(p-isobutylphenyl) propionic acid

Ibuprofen

Trade name

Motrin

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U.S. Drug Legislation

Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of

1938

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Required all drugs to meet minimal

standards

Required the drug to be safe before being

distributed over state lines

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(continued)

U.S. Drug Legislation

1970: Comprehensive Drug Abuse

Prevention and Control Act

Also known as Controlled Substance Act:

classified drugs according to their abuse
potential
Regulates the manufacture and distribution
of drugs causing dependence

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Controlled Substances Schedules

Schedule I

High potential for

abuse

No medical use

Heroin
LSD

Schedule II

High potential for

abuse

Accepted medical
use

Morphine
Demerol

Schedule III

Lower potential for

abuse

Accepted medical
use

Librium, Valium,
hydrocodone,
Tylenol with codeine

Schedule IV

Lower potential for

abuse

Accepted medical
use

Librium
Valium

Schedule V

Lowest potential for

abuse

Accepted medical
use

Lomotil
Robitussin A-C

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Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs = legend drugs

Drugs prescribed by:

Physician
Nurse practitioner
Physicians assistant
Dentist
Veterinarian
Others

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Principles of Drug Action

Drugs

Alter existing cellular or chemical functions

Exert their action by forming a chemical
bond with specific receptors within the body

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Referred to as a lock and key effect

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(continued)

Drug receptor interaction. Binding with specific receptors

occurs only when the drug and its receptors have a
compatible chemical shape.

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(continues)

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(continued)

Principles of Drug Action

Receptors

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The better the fit, the stronger the drugs

affinity, thus
Drug effect occurs at lower doses

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(continued)

Principles of Drug Action

Agonist effect
Antagonistic effect
Adverse drug effect
Therapeutic effect

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Pharmacokinetics: Absorption
Routes

Oral
Parenteral
Topical

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Metabolism: First-Pass Effect

The metabolism of a drug and its

passage from the liver into the circulation

Metabolism occurs in the liver

Liver enzymes react with the drug

Increases the dosage requirement

The same druggiven IVbypasses the

liver, preventing the first-pass effect from
taking place, and more drug reaches the
circulation.

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Pharmacokinetics: Distribution

The transport of a drug in the body by

the bloodstream to its site of action

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Elimination/Excretion
The elimination of drugs from the body

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Kidneys (main organ)

Liver
Bowel

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(continued)

Renal excretion of drugs. Note sites where

drugs are secreted and reabsorbed.
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Pharmacokinetics:
Measuring Drug Action
Half-life

The time it takes for one half of the original

amount of a drug to be removed from the body

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