Flowers and seeds -> pharmacology

Key Concepts in Pharmacology

Drug Classifications

• Prescription Drugs: Medications that can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
• Generic Drugs: Drugs that are not branded and are available as the basic chemical compound.
• Brand Name Drugs: Drugs that are marketed under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical company.

Drug Actions and Interactions

Understanding how drugs work in the body is essential in pharmacology. This includes:

• Drug Absorption: How drugs are taken into the body, such as orally, intravenously, or topically.
• Drug Distribution: How drugs are transported throughout the body via the bloodstream.
• Drug Metabolism: The process by which the body breaks down and converts drugs into active or inactive metabolites.
• Drug Excretion: How drugs are eliminated from the body, mainly through the kidneys, liver, or gastrointestinal tract.
• Drug Interactions: How drugs may interact with each other, leading to changes in their effects.

Therapeutic and Toxic Effects

Pharmacology involves understanding the desired therapeutic effects of drugs, as well as their potential toxic effects. This includes:

• Therapeutic Index: The ratio of a drug's toxic dose to its therapeutic dose.
• Side Effects: Unintended effects of a drug that occur at normal doses.
• Adverse Reactions: Harmful or unintended effects of a drug that occur at therapeutic doses.
• Drug Tolerance and Dependence: The body's response to long-term drug exposure, leading to reduced effectiveness or withdrawal symptoms.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

These are key principles in pharmacology:

• Pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body affects a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• Pharmacodynamics: The study of how a drug affects the body, including its mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects.

Drug Development and Regulation

Understanding how drugs are developed and regulated is important in pharmacology:

• Drug Development Phases: The stages a drug goes through from initial discovery to approval and marketing.
• Regulatory Agencies: Organizations such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) that oversee the approval and monitoring of drugs.
• Clinical Trials: Studies conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new drugs in humans.