PHARMACOLOGY NOTES
An e-learning initiative of Keltron
PHARMACOLOGY NOTES
1
, PHARMACOLOGY NOTES
INTRODUCTION
Pharmacology is the study of the nature, actions and uses of drugs. A drug is any
substance that is given to humans or animals with the intention of changing the
state of body functioning: to relieve pain, treat cancer, eliminate infection or
improve health in any way or to investigate the functions of the body. The work of
the science-based pharmacologist is concerned mainly with drug action. Drugs
can come from many different sources. Some drugs are obtained from parts of
plants, such as roots, leaves and fruits. Examples of such drugs are digitalis
(from the foxglove plant) and antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin.
Drugs can also be obtained from animals; for example, hormones are secretions
from the glands of animals. Drugs can be made as chemical substances that are
synthesized in the laboratory. Anticancer drugs such as methotrexate and
prednisone are examples of laboratory-synthesized drugs. Some drugs are
contained in food substances; these drugs are called vitamins. Drugs are
dispensed by a pharmacist, whose shop or store is called a pharmacy.
Pharmacology is a broad medical specialty and contains many subdivisions of
study including medicinal chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics,
molecular pharmacology, chemotherapy, and toxicology.
Medicinal chemistry is the study of new drug synthesis and the relationship
between chemical structure and biological effect. Pharmacodynamics involves
the study of drug effects in the body. Scientists may also study the processes of
drug absorption (how drugs pass into the bloodstream), metabolism (changes
drugs undergo within the body), and excretion (removal of the drug from the
body). The mathematical description of drug disposition (appearance and
disappearance) in the body over time is called pharmacokinetics. Molecular
pharmacology concerns the study of the interaction of drugs and subcellar
entities, such as DNA, RNA, and enzymes. These studies provide important
information about the mechanism of action of the drug. Chemotherapy is the
study of drugs that destroy microorganisms, parasites or malignant cells within
the body. Chemotherapy includes treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.
Toxicology is the study of harmful chemicals and their effects on the body. A
toxicologist is also interested in finding proper antidotes to any harmful effects of
drugs. Antidotes are substances given to neutralize unwanted effects of drugs.
2
An e-learning initiative of Keltron
PHARMACOLOGY NOTES
1
, PHARMACOLOGY NOTES
INTRODUCTION
Pharmacology is the study of the nature, actions and uses of drugs. A drug is any
substance that is given to humans or animals with the intention of changing the
state of body functioning: to relieve pain, treat cancer, eliminate infection or
improve health in any way or to investigate the functions of the body. The work of
the science-based pharmacologist is concerned mainly with drug action. Drugs
can come from many different sources. Some drugs are obtained from parts of
plants, such as roots, leaves and fruits. Examples of such drugs are digitalis
(from the foxglove plant) and antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin.
Drugs can also be obtained from animals; for example, hormones are secretions
from the glands of animals. Drugs can be made as chemical substances that are
synthesized in the laboratory. Anticancer drugs such as methotrexate and
prednisone are examples of laboratory-synthesized drugs. Some drugs are
contained in food substances; these drugs are called vitamins. Drugs are
dispensed by a pharmacist, whose shop or store is called a pharmacy.
Pharmacology is a broad medical specialty and contains many subdivisions of
study including medicinal chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics,
molecular pharmacology, chemotherapy, and toxicology.
Medicinal chemistry is the study of new drug synthesis and the relationship
between chemical structure and biological effect. Pharmacodynamics involves
the study of drug effects in the body. Scientists may also study the processes of
drug absorption (how drugs pass into the bloodstream), metabolism (changes
drugs undergo within the body), and excretion (removal of the drug from the
body). The mathematical description of drug disposition (appearance and
disappearance) in the body over time is called pharmacokinetics. Molecular
pharmacology concerns the study of the interaction of drugs and subcellar
entities, such as DNA, RNA, and enzymes. These studies provide important
information about the mechanism of action of the drug. Chemotherapy is the
study of drugs that destroy microorganisms, parasites or malignant cells within
the body. Chemotherapy includes treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.
Toxicology is the study of harmful chemicals and their effects on the body. A
toxicologist is also interested in finding proper antidotes to any harmful effects of
drugs. Antidotes are substances given to neutralize unwanted effects of drugs.
2
