10/02/2025 16:58:10
Pharmacology Chapters 1-13
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.
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.
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
used, effects on the body, contraindications, special considerations (how age,
weight, body fat distribution, and pathophysiologic states affect pharmacotheraputic
response), expected and potential adverse events, why the drug was prescribed how
the drug is supplied by the pharmacy, administration of the drug, and what
considerations apply to the patient.
The major goal to study pharmacology...
is to eliminate medication errors and to limit the number and severity of adverse drug
events.
To prevent medication errors RN's can
Routinely apply their experience and knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics to clinical
practice. It is vital the nurse be prepared to cognized and respond to potential
adverse effects of the medication.
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult
(pharmokinetic and pharmodynamics).
Normal aging processes can alter pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics
responses to drugs.
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult
(absorption)
Overall, absorption of nutrients and drugs tend to slow with aging.
, 10/02/2025 16:58:10
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult (plasma levels drug concentration in tissues)
Age related increases in fat storage cause lipid soluble drugs to be stored in the
body for extended periods, leading to lower plasma levels and increased drug
concentrations in the tissues.
Age related changes in the liver
Include reduced hepatic function, decreased liver mass, diminished blood flow, and
alteration in the activity of hepatic enzymes.
Frequency of administration for older adults
Should be decreased to avoid toxicity due to drug accumulation.
Older adults and receptors
Pharmacodynamic changes are usually associated with drug receptors. Evidence
suggests that older adults have a decreased number of receptors.
The government agency that is responsible for regulating drugs in the United States.
FDA-Food and Drug Administration.
o Protect the public health.
o Speeding innovations that make medicines and food more effective.
o Helping the public get more accurate information.
Overall process to get new drugs on the market.
o Step 1-Pre-Clinical research: Involves extensive lab testing by the parmacutical
company. If the drug appears promising the pharmaceutical company submits an
investigational New drug (IND) application. (contains animal testing)
o Step 2: After animal testing comes clinal phase trials which is the longest part of
the approval process. The clinical trial has three different phases.
• Phase 1- testing is conducted on 20-80 healthy volunteers for several months to
determine proper dosage and to assess for adverse effects. If unaccepted levels of
toxicity are noted, trials are stoped.
• Phase 2- Several hundred patients with the disease are treated with drug.
Compared with a placebo to test effectiveness. Also can be compared to a drug
already available.
• Phase 3- Large numbers of patients with the disease are given the drug to
determine patient variability. Patients with chronic conditions are given the drug to
determine safety.
o Step 3: If the new drug shows promise a New Drug application is submitted to the
FDA. If accepted, manufacturer may be able to start selling the drug.
o Step 4- Post market surveillance: Occurs after the NDA review has been
completed. The purpose of stage 4 is to survey for harmful drug effects in a larger
population.
Difference between over the counter and prescription drugs.
o Prescription medications are judged by the FDA to be potentially addictive or too
harmful for self administration
o Prescriptions give an opportunity for a doctor to assess your problem and treat
more complex problems.
o OTC drugs allow patients to treat themselves and are obtained much easier.
o A prescription drug can become OTC when there is a high margin of safety that
exists with the medicines.
o Herbal medicines are different from prescription and OTC drugs because they are
not considered drugs. They are not marketed to treat any disease and are not
subjected to the same regulatory process as drugs. Some herbal products can
interact with medications.
Drug adherence
Pharmacology Chapters 1-13
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.
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.
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
used, effects on the body, contraindications, special considerations (how age,
weight, body fat distribution, and pathophysiologic states affect pharmacotheraputic
response), expected and potential adverse events, why the drug was prescribed how
the drug is supplied by the pharmacy, administration of the drug, and what
considerations apply to the patient.
The major goal to study pharmacology...
is to eliminate medication errors and to limit the number and severity of adverse drug
events.
To prevent medication errors RN's can
Routinely apply their experience and knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics to clinical
practice. It is vital the nurse be prepared to cognized and respond to potential
adverse effects of the medication.
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult
(pharmokinetic and pharmodynamics).
Normal aging processes can alter pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics
responses to drugs.
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult
(absorption)
Overall, absorption of nutrients and drugs tend to slow with aging.
, 10/02/2025 16:58:10
Pharmacotherapy and the older adult (plasma levels drug concentration in tissues)
Age related increases in fat storage cause lipid soluble drugs to be stored in the
body for extended periods, leading to lower plasma levels and increased drug
concentrations in the tissues.
Age related changes in the liver
Include reduced hepatic function, decreased liver mass, diminished blood flow, and
alteration in the activity of hepatic enzymes.
Frequency of administration for older adults
Should be decreased to avoid toxicity due to drug accumulation.
Older adults and receptors
Pharmacodynamic changes are usually associated with drug receptors. Evidence
suggests that older adults have a decreased number of receptors.
The government agency that is responsible for regulating drugs in the United States.
FDA-Food and Drug Administration.
o Protect the public health.
o Speeding innovations that make medicines and food more effective.
o Helping the public get more accurate information.
Overall process to get new drugs on the market.
o Step 1-Pre-Clinical research: Involves extensive lab testing by the parmacutical
company. If the drug appears promising the pharmaceutical company submits an
investigational New drug (IND) application. (contains animal testing)
o Step 2: After animal testing comes clinal phase trials which is the longest part of
the approval process. The clinical trial has three different phases.
• Phase 1- testing is conducted on 20-80 healthy volunteers for several months to
determine proper dosage and to assess for adverse effects. If unaccepted levels of
toxicity are noted, trials are stoped.
• Phase 2- Several hundred patients with the disease are treated with drug.
Compared with a placebo to test effectiveness. Also can be compared to a drug
already available.
• Phase 3- Large numbers of patients with the disease are given the drug to
determine patient variability. Patients with chronic conditions are given the drug to
determine safety.
o Step 3: If the new drug shows promise a New Drug application is submitted to the
FDA. If accepted, manufacturer may be able to start selling the drug.
o Step 4- Post market surveillance: Occurs after the NDA review has been
completed. The purpose of stage 4 is to survey for harmful drug effects in a larger
population.
Difference between over the counter and prescription drugs.
o Prescription medications are judged by the FDA to be potentially addictive or too
harmful for self administration
o Prescriptions give an opportunity for a doctor to assess your problem and treat
more complex problems.
o OTC drugs allow patients to treat themselves and are obtained much easier.
o A prescription drug can become OTC when there is a high margin of safety that
exists with the medicines.
o Herbal medicines are different from prescription and OTC drugs because they are
not considered drugs. They are not marketed to treat any disease and are not
subjected to the same regulatory process as drugs. Some herbal products can
interact with medications.
Drug adherence
