Pharmacokinetics vs Pharmacodynamics Correct Answer-
•Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to a drug
•Pharmacodynamics is the study of what a drug does to the body
Pharmacodynamics Correct Answer-•Drug concentration at site of
action & resulting effect
▫ Mechanism of action:
Biochemical effects
Physiologic effects
▫ Dose-response relationship
▫ Adverse effects
•Scientific basis for selection and use of drugs
Receptors Correct Answer-•Recognition molecule for chemical mediator
(ligand)
▫ Physiological mediators
Hormones, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators
,▫ Drug molecule
Acute regulation of physiological & biochemical functions
Do not create effects but modulate ongoing function
May activate or inactive receptor
May ⇧ or ⇩ decrease cell functions
4 Receptor Types Correct Answer-•G protein-coupled
•Enzyme-linked transmembrane
•Intracellular (nuclear)
•Transmembrane ion channels
Lock & Key Model Correct Answer-pharmacologic effect results from
an interaction between drug & its receptor
Selectivity Correct Answer-•Drug is usually described by its more
prominent effects
▫ Target receptors
▫ Rarely sufficiently selective to be described as specific
•Multiple subtypes of receptors exist within classes
▫ Goal: increased efficacy & minimization of adverse effects
, Affinity Correct Answer-"STRENGTH" of interaction between a ligand
& a receptor
Efficacy Correct Answer-Potential MAX THERAPEUTIC response that
a drug can produce
(most important for clinicians)
Potency (basic def) Correct Answer-AMOUNT of drug needed to
produce an EFFECT
Agonist Correct Answer-Has both affinity & efficacy
Full Agonist Correct Answer-Can produce maximal response obtainable
(Mimic endogenous neurotransmitter)
Partial Agonist Correct Answer-Affinity but intermediate efficacy
Sub-maximal response
Antagonist Correct Answer-Affinity but no efficacy
Competitive Antagonist Correct Answer-"Competes" for same binding
site