Absorption
Process by which a drug enters the circulatory system (blood).
Intravenous (IV) & Intra-Arterial
Administration/Dosage routs that do not require absorption.
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, & Elimination... The Pharmacokinetic Process
ADME
Addiction
Dependence characterized by a perceived need to take a drug to attain the psychological & physical effects of mood altering substances.
Affinity
Natural attraction - the strength by which a particular chemical messenger binds to its receptor site on a cell
Agonist
Drug that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter when it binds to a particular receptor site - i.e. & triggers the cell's response in a manner similar to the action of the body's own chemical messenger.
Allergen
Substance of a usually harmless nature that produces an abnormal hypersensitive reaction.
Allergic Response
A hypersensitive reaction to any usually harmless substance that does not normally cause a reaction.
Anaphylactic Reaction
Severe allergic response resulting in immediate life-threatening respiratory distress, usually followed by vascular collapse & shock accompanied w/ hives.
Angioedema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissue.
Antagonist
Drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of a neurotransmitter or another drug when it binds to a particular receptor site.
Antigen
Foreign substance that is recognized by the immune system & induces the immune system to produce antibodies to defend against the foreign substance. These substances can gain access through any opening in the body such as cuts/scrapes, the digestive, circ
Bioavailability
Degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration.
Blood-Brain Barrier
Fortified area that prevents many substances from entering the cerebro-spinal fluid from the blood. This area is formed by glial cells that envelope capillaries in the fcentral nervous system. This creates a shield that blocks many water-soluble compounds
Ceiling Effect
Point @ which no clinical response occurs w/ increased dosage of a drug.
Clearance
Rate @ which a drug is eliminated from a specific volume of blood per unit of time.
Contraindication
Any disease, condition, or symptom for which a drug will not be beneficial & may be harmful.
Dependence
State in which a person's body has adapted physiologically & psychologically to a drug & cannot function w/o it.
Distribution
Process by which a drug moves from the blood into other body fluids & tissues & ultimately to its site(s) of action.
Dose
Quantity of a drug administered at one time.
Drug Abuse
Use of a drug for purposes other than those prescribed &/or in amounts that were not directed. This is often linked to addiction.
Drug Interaction
When a drug is affected in some way by another drug, foods, or other substances, such as when enzymes that metabolize the drug are induced or inhibited.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Addition
The combined effect of 2 drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each drug taken alone.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Antagonism
The action of 1 drug negates the action of a 2nd drug.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Potentiation
1 drug increases or prolongs the action of another drug, & the total effect is greater than the sum of the effects of each drug used alone - drug potency is increased.
Drug Interaction Relationship: Synergism
The combined effect of 2 drugs is more intense or longer in duration than the sum of their individual effects. Drugs that work in combination like this are usually prescribed together.
Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Receptors, & Transport Proteins
Types of specific body molecules that drugs can combine w/.
Duration Of Action
Length of time a drug gives the desired response/remains at the therapeutic level.
Elimination
Removal of a drug or the drugs metabolites from the body by excretion.
First-Order
Drugs for which the rate of elimination is concentration dependent (as opposed to ____ _ _____).
First-Pass Effect
Extent to which a drug is metabolized by the liver before reaching full body circulation. This can substantially decrease bioavailability of certain drugs when administered orally, in which case administration by injection is required.
Half-Life
Time necessary for the body to eliminate half of the drug in the body @ any 1 time (written as T 1/2).
Homeostasis
Maintenance of stability in the internal environment of the body.
Induction
Process by which a drug increases the concentration of certain enzymes that affect the pharmacologic response to other drugs.
Inhibition
Process by which a drug blocks enzyme activity & impairs the metabolism of another drug.
Interaction
Change in the action of a drug caused by another drug, food, or another substance, such as alcohol or nicotine.
Lipid
Fatty molecule - An important constituent of cell membranes; they generally repel water.
Local Effect
Action of a drug that is confined to a specific part of the body.
Loading Dose
Amt of a drug that will bring the blood concentration rapidly to a therapeutic level.
Maintenance Dose
Amt of a drug administered at regular intervals to keep the blood concentration @ a therapeutic level. An important factor in determining this, is a drug's clearance rate.
Metabolic Pathway
Sequence of chemical steps that convert a drug tinto a metabolite.
Metabolism
Process by which drugs are chemically converted to other compounds.
Metabolite
Substance into which a drug is chemically converted in the body.
Peak
Top or upper limit of a drug's concentration in the blood.
Pharmacokinetic Modeling
Method of describing the process of absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME) of drug w/i the body mathematically.
Pharmacokinetics
Activity of a drug w/i the body over a period of time; includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination (ADME).
Prophylaxis
Effect of a drug in preventing infection or disease.
Pruritus
Itching Sensation.
Receptor
Protein molecule on the surface of or w/i a cell that recognizes & binds w/ specific molecules, thereby producing some effect w/i the cell.
Classified as protein melecules, Different types for different cells, Located on the surface or inside cells, Must have complementary chemical structure to bind w/ a messenger, Play an important role in body functions such as blood clotting, smooth muscle
Characteristics Of Receptors
Side Effect
Secondary response to a drug other than the primary therapeutic effect for which the drug was inteneded.
Solubility
Ability of a drug to dissolve in body fluids.
Specificity
Property of a cell receptor that enables it to bind only w/ a specific chemical messenger; in order to bind w/ the receptor, the messenger must ahve a chemical structure that is complementary to the structure of the receptor.
Systemic Effect
Action of a drug that has generalized - the all-inclusive effect of the drug on the body.
Therapeutic Effect
Desired action of a drug in the treatment of a particular disease , state, or symptom.
Therapeutic Level
Amount of a drug in the blood @ which beneficial effects occur. The amt. of time required to achieve this can be shortened by administering a loading dose.
Therapeutic Range
Optimum Dosage, providing the best chance for achieving the most effective & desired action... Dosing below this range has little effect, while dosing above this level (overdosing) can lead to toxicity & death.
Tolerance
Decrease in response to the effects of a drug as it continues to be administered.
Trough
Lowest level of a drug in the blood.
Urticaria
Hives, itching sensation.
Volume Of Distribution
mathematical relationship betw. the blood concentration attained & the amt. of drug administered.
Wheals
Slightly elevated, red areas on the surface of the body.
Zero-Order
Drugs for which the rate of elimination is not concentration dependent (as opposed to _____ _ _____).