Introduction to Pharmacology

Dr. Rathnakar U.P.

MD.DIH.PGDHM

Associate Professor Departments of Pharmacology Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore 01 August 2013

Pharmacology
Definition: It is that branch of science that deals with interaction of exogenously administered chemical molecules with the living system

PHARMACY: Science of identification,selection, standardization, compounding and dispensing of medicines.

preservation,

Introduction
Definitions of pharmacology and drug Definitions of : Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, clinical pharmacology and toxicology Sources of drug information : Pharmacopeias, non-official references, MIMS, medical journals, FDA product information Drug sources with examples Animal, plant, mineral and synthetic Drug nomenclature Chemical, generic, official and trade name

What is a DRUG ?
Drogue (French) a dry herb
A drug is defined as any substance used for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, relief or cure of a disease in man or animals.
Definition: WHO
Drug is any substance or product that is used or intended to be used to modify or explore a physiological system or a pathological state for the benefit of the recipient

Divisions in Pharmacology
Experimental Pharmacology:
Evaluation of drug action in animals

Clinical Pharmacology
Evaluation of drug action in humans

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics [What body does to drug]

Pharmacodynamics [What drug does to body]

General pharmacolgy [7 classes]

Pharmacokinetics
Kinesis (Greek) movement Definition:
This refers to the movement of the drug in the body, and the alterations of the drug by the body
Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion

Pharmacodynamics
Dynamics (Greek) power Definition:
This refers to the physiological and biochemical effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action . Good effects [Therapeutic] Bad effects [Adverse effects]

Important definitions
Chemotherapy:
Treatment of systemic infections/malignancies with specific drugs

Antibiotics
Substances derived from micro organisms used against micro organisms[Antimicrobial agents]

Important definitions
Pharmacy:
It is the art and science of compounding and dispensing drugs or preparing suitable dosage forms for administration of drugs in man or animals.

Toxicology:
The study of poisonous effects of drugs and other chemicals (house hold, environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals, etc), with emphasis on detection, prevention and treatment of poisoning.

Drug Nomenclature
1.

Chemical name:
This describes the drug chemically
Propranolol 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-napthyloxy)-propan-2-ol Aspirin- acetylsalicilic acid

2.

Nonproprietary name/official name

Name accepted by competent scientific body
Meperidine (USA) Pethidine (UK and India)

3.

Generic name:
Applied to the chemical / pharmacological group Phenothiazines Tricyclic antidepressants Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

3. Proprietary name:
Name given by manufacturer brand name
Calpol, Metacin

SOURCES OF DRUGS
MINERAL:

MgSO4, Mg trisilicate, Liquid paraffin

ANIMAL: Insulin, Heparin, Thyroid extract PLANT: Morphine, Atropine, Digoxin SYNTHETIC: Aspirin, Sulfonamides

SOURCES OF DRUGS
MICRO-ORGANISM:

Penicillin
DNA RECOMBINANT TECHNOLOGY: Human Insulin, Human Growth Hormone HYBRIDOMA TECHNIQUE: Monoclonal antibodies

Sources of Drug Information

Text Books Journals

Library Websites

CME

NATIONAL FORMULARY & PHARMACOPOEIA [IP, BP, USP]

B.N.F. British National Formulary

British Medical Association & Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

N.F.I. National Formulary of India

By Govt. of India

PHARMACOPOEIA: [IP, BP, USP]

Official code, containing selected list of established drugs, descriptions of physical properties, tests for

identity, purity and potency.

Package Insert

What to read?

1. Class notes 2. Collect from teachers