1. Introduction to Pharmacology

Pharmacology: the study of interaction of drugs with living systems.

Sub-Disciplines of Pharmacology

• Pharmacodynamics: effects and mechanisms of drug action
  • Drug-Receptor Interactions
  • Dose-Response Relationships
  • Signal Transduction
  • Absorption
  • Distribution
  • Metabolism
  • Excretion
  • Rate of Drug Metabolism
  • Drug-Induced Toxicity
  • Drug-Induced Allergies

  

  Pharmacology and the Pharmacist

  Key Questions you should be asking as a Pharmacist:

  • Where is the molecular site of action?
  • What are the body function changes caused by a drug (pharmacodynamics)?
  • What is the relationship between the Dose vs. Effect?
  • How does a drug produce its effect?
  • What is the fate of the drug once it enters the body (pharmacokinetics)?
  • What is the interplay between genetic makeup and drug response?

  Example: Beta 1 Blocker: Metoprolol Succinate (oral)

  

  Drug Action: selective binding to cardiac muscle beta 1 adrenergic receptors that respond to norepinephrine (at higher doses, also inhibits bronchial and vascular smooth muscle by acting on beta 2 adrenergic receptors) to inhibit the binding of norepinephrine.

  Drug Effect: reduced inotropic effect (contractility) and chronotropic effect (heart rate)

  Fate of the Drug (pharmacokinetics): 12% protein binding and distribution 5.6 L/kg: hepatic metabolism (CYP2D6 mainly): 1/23-7 hours

  

  License

  Principles of Pharmacology - Study Guide Copyright © by Edited by Dr. Esam El-Fakahany and Becky Merkey, MEd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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