Pharmacology for Nurses

Absorption - The process of moving a drug across body membranes. Active transport - A process requiring energy for the movement of molecules or ions AGAINST a concentration gradient, from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration. Affinity - Chemical attraction that impels certain molecules to unite with others to form complexes. Agonist - Drug that is capable of binding with receptors to induce a cellular response. Antagonist - Drug that blocks the response of another drug. Bioavailability - Ability of a drug to reach the bloodstream and its target tissues. Biologics - Substances that produce biologic responses within the body; they are synthesized by cells of the human body, animal cells, or microorganisms. Blood-brain barrier - Anatomical structure that prevents certain substances from gaining access to the brain. Chemical name - Strict chemical nomenclature used for naming drugs established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Clinical investigation - Second stage of drug testing that involves clinical phase trials. Clinical phase trials - Testing of a new drug in selected patients. Combination drug - Drug product with more than one active generic ingredient. Complementary and alternative therapies - Treatments that consider the health of the whole person and promote disease prevention. Conjugates - Side chains that, during metabolism, make drugs more water soluble and more easily excreted by the kidney.