UNDERSTANDING
PHARMACOLOGY
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ESSENTIALS FOR
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MEDICATION SAFETY,
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3RD EDITION BY M.
LINDA WORKMAN &
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LACHARITY GRADE A+
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, Absorption
Movement of a drug from the outside of the body into the blood stream.
Agonist
An extrinsic drug that activates the receptor site of a cell and mimics the actions of naturally
occurring drugs.
Antagonist
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An extrinsic drug that blocks the receptor site of a cell, preventing the naturally occurring
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substance from binding to the receptor.
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Bioavailability
The percentage of a drug dose that actually reaches the blood.
Black Box Warning
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A notice that a drug may produce serious or even life threatening effects in some people in
addition to its beneficial effects.
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Cytoxic
A drug action that is intended to kill a cell or organism.
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Distribution
The extent that a drug absorbed into the bloodstream spreads into the three body water
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components.
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Duration of Action
The length of time a drug is present in the blood at or above the level needed to produce an
effect or response.
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Extrinsic Drugs
Drugs that are man made or derived from another species; not made by the human body.
First pass loss
Rapid inactivation or elimination of oral drugs as a result of liver metabolism.