Help 10 02

[CollegeMan]

1. Give a brief definition of pharmacology
2. List down the branches of pharmacology and describe each
3. Define Drugs?
4. What is a drug nomenclature?
5. Differentiate the three categories of drug nomenclature.
6. What are the methods of classifying drugs?
7. Differentiate prescription and non-prescription drugs
8. Briefly define what is a medication therapeutic effect.
9. Explain the difference between side effects and adverse effect.
10. What is a drug formularies?

 

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1. Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living organisms, including humans and animals. It involves understanding how drugs work, their effects, interactions, and the factors that influence their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the body.

2. The branches of pharmacology include:
a) Clinical Pharmacology: This branch focuses on the application of pharmacological principles in clinical practice, such as studying drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, and individual patient response to medications.
b) Pharmacokinetics: It deals with the study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
c) Pharmacodynamics: This branch explores the effects drugs have on the body, including their mechanism of action and therapeutic and toxic effects.
d) Toxicology: Toxicology examines the harmful effects of drugs and other substances on living organisms, including their mechanisms of toxicity and risk assessment.
e) Psychopharmacology: This field studies the effects of drugs on mental processes, behavior, and psychiatric disorders.
f) Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomics: These branches investigate how genetic variations in individuals can affect drug responses and help in personalized medicine.

3. Drugs are substances that have a physiological effect when introduced into the body. They can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat, cure, or prevent diseases or to alleviate symptoms. Drugs can also be used recreationally or abused for their psychoactive properties.

4. Drug nomenclature refers to the system of naming drugs or pharmaceutical substances. It provides a standardized way to identify and communicate about drugs across different countries and healthcare settings.

5. The three categories of drug nomenclature are:
a) Chemical Name: This is the name that describes the chemical structure of the drug. It is often complex and not practical for everyday use.
b) Generic Name: Also known as the nonproprietary name, it is the official name assigned to a drug by the authority responsible for drug regulation. The generic name is universally recognized and is often used to refer to a drug when prescribing or discussing it.
c) Brand/Trade Name: This is the name given to a drug by its manufacturer. It is unique to that specific product and is used for marketing purposes. Different manufacturers may have different brand names for the same generic drug.

6. Drugs can be classified based on various methods, including:
a) Chemical Classification: This classifies drugs based on their chemical structure or functional groups.
b) Therapeutic Classification: Drugs are grouped based on their therapeutic use or the specific medical conditions they treat.
c) Pharmacological Classification: Drugs are categorized based on their mechanism of action or their effect on specific receptors or biochemical pathways.
d) Legal Classification: Drugs can be classified based on their legal status, such as prescription-only drugs (requiring a prescription from a healthcare professional) or over-the-counter drugs (available without a prescription).

7. Prescription drugs are medications that can only be obtained with a valid prescription written by a licensed healthcare professional. They often require specific dosing instructions and are used to treat complex or serious medical conditions. Non-prescription drugs, also known as over-the-counter drugs, can be purchased without a prescription and are typically used for self-treatment of minor ailments or symptoms.

8. Medication therapeutic effect refers to the desired or intended effect of a drug when used to treat a specific medical condition. It is the beneficial outcome that the drug is expected to have on the patient's health or symptoms.

9. Side effects are unintended and usually mild or tolerable effects that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effect of a drug. They are generally predictable and dose-dependent. Adverse effects, on the other hand, are more severe or harmful effects that occur as a result of drug treatment. They are unintended and may occur at therapeutic doses or be unrelated to the desired therapeutic effect.

10. Drug formularies are lists of medications approved for use within a specific healthcare system, such as a hospital, insurance plan, or country. They provide healthcare professionals with a selection of drugs that have been evaluated for safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Formularies help guide prescribing practices and ensure rational drug use.