Pharmacology Chapters 1-13

Drug - Any substance that is taken to cure, or reduce symptoms of a medical condition. Pharmacology - The study of medicine. Pharmacotherapy/Pharmacotherapeutics - Application of drugs for the purpose of disease prevention and treatment of suffering. Indications and Contraindications - The conditions for which a drug is approved are its indications. Every drug has at least one indication. Some drugs are used for conditions for which they have not been approved; these are called unlabeled or off- label indications. Therapeutic classification - -Based on their usefulness in treating a specific disease -The key to therapeutic classification is to simply state what condition is being treated by the particular drug. -The prefix anti- refers to therapeutic classification. Pharmacologic Classification - -Addresses a drugs mechanism of action or how a drug produces its effect in the body. -More specific than therapeutic -Requires biochemistry and pathophysiology Chemical name - -Assigned using standard nomenclature. -A drug has only one chemical name -Helpful in predicting a drugs physical and chemical properties. Generic name - Name assigned by the United States Adopted Name Council. Less complicated and easy to remember. Trade Name - Sometimes called the proprietary product, or brand name is assigned by the pharmaceutical company maketing the drug. Exclusivity - Typical length of exclusivity for a new drug is 5 years. Combination drug - Drugs with more than one active generic ingredient. Pros and Cons of Generic Drugs - Generic drugs are less expensive than brand name drugs, by they may differ in bioavailability. (The rate at which drug produces its effect.) The nurses responsibility for knowledge in regards to pharmacotherapeutics... - Is what drug is ordered including name and drug classification, intended or proposed