Pharmacology Penn Foster
Veterinary Technician Exam
With Focus On Your Success
Pharmacokinetics
is when a drug enters the body
Pharmacodynamics
is how drugs exert effects
7 Routes of Administration
Oral, IV, IM, SC, intraperitoneal, intra-arterial, intradermal
Agonist, Partial Agonist, and Antagonist
Perfect Fit, Almost Fits, Blocks Action
Affinity vs. Efficacy
How well it binds to receptor (Agonist vs. Antagonist) vs. how well the drug performs
Trade Name Vs. Genetic Name
Trade - patented name (rimadyl) vs. Genetic - unpatented/generic (carprofen)
6 Drug Label Requirements
Generic Name, Concentration, Quantity, Controlled? Manufacturer Info, Expiration Date.
Injection Routes from fastest onset to slowest
IV, SC, IM
, Injection Routes from longest duration to shortest
SC, IM, IV
Sympathetic vs. Para-sympathetic
Energy expending activities (Increase heart rate), Energy conserving (decrease heart rate)
Stimulation of Sympathetic vs Para-sympathetic
Fight or Flight vs. Calm Down
Cholinergic vs Anticholinergic
Stimulate parasympathetic (increase GI motility) vs preventing stimulation (decrease GI
motility)
Adrenergic Agents
Excites Alpha Receptors and inhibits beta receptors (stimulates the heartbeat through
sympathetic)
CNS Depression Drugs
Sedate, Control Seizures, Control Pain
CNS Stimulation Drugs
Treat respiration/cardiac depression or reverse depression drugs
Barbituates
CNS Depression Drug, always controlled, no reversal available, rapidly absorbed into brain and
fat, do not use in sight hounds (no fat), and used in euthanasia solution
Expectorant
Respiratory Drug - mucous secreting gland (dilutes secretions)- cough syrup
Mucolytics
Alter mucous composition - breaks down the mucous thickness.
Veterinary Technician Exam
With Focus On Your Success
Pharmacokinetics
is when a drug enters the body
Pharmacodynamics
is how drugs exert effects
7 Routes of Administration
Oral, IV, IM, SC, intraperitoneal, intra-arterial, intradermal
Agonist, Partial Agonist, and Antagonist
Perfect Fit, Almost Fits, Blocks Action
Affinity vs. Efficacy
How well it binds to receptor (Agonist vs. Antagonist) vs. how well the drug performs
Trade Name Vs. Genetic Name
Trade - patented name (rimadyl) vs. Genetic - unpatented/generic (carprofen)
6 Drug Label Requirements
Generic Name, Concentration, Quantity, Controlled? Manufacturer Info, Expiration Date.
Injection Routes from fastest onset to slowest
IV, SC, IM
, Injection Routes from longest duration to shortest
SC, IM, IV
Sympathetic vs. Para-sympathetic
Energy expending activities (Increase heart rate), Energy conserving (decrease heart rate)
Stimulation of Sympathetic vs Para-sympathetic
Fight or Flight vs. Calm Down
Cholinergic vs Anticholinergic
Stimulate parasympathetic (increase GI motility) vs preventing stimulation (decrease GI
motility)
Adrenergic Agents
Excites Alpha Receptors and inhibits beta receptors (stimulates the heartbeat through
sympathetic)
CNS Depression Drugs
Sedate, Control Seizures, Control Pain
CNS Stimulation Drugs
Treat respiration/cardiac depression or reverse depression drugs
Barbituates
CNS Depression Drug, always controlled, no reversal available, rapidly absorbed into brain and
fat, do not use in sight hounds (no fat), and used in euthanasia solution
Expectorant
Respiratory Drug - mucous secreting gland (dilutes secretions)- cough syrup
Mucolytics
Alter mucous composition - breaks down the mucous thickness.
