Introduction to pharmacology

Osmosis from Elsevier • 40.9k views • 00:07

Key Takeaways:

• Pharmacology: Study of medications and chemical compounds interacting with living systems to produce specific effects.
• Medication Development Process: Consists of three steps - Discovery, Pre-clinical research, and Clinical development through phases to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Clinical Trials: Conducted in four phases to assess safety and effectiveness of new medications in humans.
• Names of Medications: Chemical name, generic name, and brand/trade name are given to new medications.
• Pharmacokinetics: Study of how the body processes medication (ADME - Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion).
• Pharmacodynamics: Study of how medication affects the body, including therapeutic and side effects.
• Therapeutic Index: Ratio between toxic dose and effective dose to determine medication safety.
• Drug Interactions: Can occur at pharmacokinetic (ADME) and pharmacodynamic levels, impacting medication effectiveness and side effects.

By understanding these key points, one can grasp the process of medication development, how medications interact with the body, and the importance of monitoring and assessing medication safety and effectiveness.