PHARMACODYNAMICS

MELBA GRACE T. DONIO, RN

PHARMACODYNAMICS

IS A STUDY OF DRUG
CONCENTRATION AND ITS
EFFECT ON THE BODY.

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT

HOW DRUGS WORK?
Better assessment of new modalities for
using drugs
Better assessment of new indications for
drugs
Better assessment of new concerns
regarding risk-benefit

 Aids Nurse-Patient Relationship

The patient has more respect for and trust in a therapist
who can convey to the patient how the drug is affecting the
patients body.
A patient who understands his/her therapy is more inclined
to become an active participant in the management
of the patients disease.
PEACE OF MIND!

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Ways in which a drug can produce a
therapeutic effect
The effects that a particular drug has
depends on the cells or organ targeted by
the drug
Once the drug hits its site of action it can
modify the rate at which a cell or tissue
functions

 RECEPTOR INTERACTION

ENZYME INTERACTION
NON-SPECIFIC INTERACTION

Drug Response The relationship between the

minimal versus the maximal amount of drug dose
needed to produce the desired drug response.
Onset of action
The time it takes to reach the minimum
effective concentration after the drug is
administered.
Peak of action
Occurs when the drug reaches its highest
blood or plasma concentration.
Duration of action
Is the length of time the drug has a pharmacologic
effect.

CATEGORIES OF DRUG ACTION

1. STIMULATION- the rate of cell activity or the
secretions from a gland increases. (ex. Picrotoxin)
DEPRESSION- cell activity and function of
specific organ are reduced. (ex. Barbiturates)
2. REPLACEMENT- replace such body compounds.
(ex. Insulin)
3. INHIBITION- drugs that inhibit or kill bacterial cell
growth (ex. Penicillin)
4. IRRITATION- drugs that can act by mechanism of
irritation (ex. Laxatives)

SIDE EFFECTS- ARE PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS NOT

RELATED TO THE DESIRED DRUG EFFECT.
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION- MORE SEVERE THAN
SIDE EFFECTS. THEY ARE RANGE OF UNTOWARD
EFFECTS. IT IS ALWAYS UNDESIRABLE.
TOXICITY- WHEN A DRUG LEVEL EXCEEDS THE
THERAPEUTIC RANGE. IT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY
MONITORING THE PLASMA SERUM.