Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology Exam Preparation Questions and Answers

Pharmacology Biomedical study of the interaction of chemical substances with living systems, including cells, tissues, and organisms. Until the end of the 19th century, most medicines came from Naturally occurring fresh plants, including herbs and flowers. Examples of natural medications used in the 19th century Morphine, marijuana, cardiac glycosides and heparin Drugs Substances or chemical agents that affect biological or living systems Drugs and physiological responses relationship Drugs do not create new physiological responses. They alter normal processes either by stimulating or depressing the function of the cell. Biologics agents naturally produced in an animal or human body Examples of biologics vaccines, blood and blood components, antibodies, and interferon Examples of alternative drug therapy Herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, natural extracts 5 major subgroups of pharmacology Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacogenetics, toxicology Pharmacokinetics the study of drug movement throughout the body 4 major steps of pharmacokinetics absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion Phamacodynamics The action a drug has on a specific target of action in the body, including mechanism of action, receptor interactions, dose-response relationship, and therapeutic and toxic reactions. Pharmacotherapeutics The study of how drugs may be best used in the treatment of a specific disease.