INTRODUCTION TO

DRUGS AND DRUG

ADMINISTRATION
PHARMACOLOGY

Greek pharmakon means drugs

Logos means science
Deals with the study of drugs and their
actions on living organisms
Therapeutic Methods
 Disease may be treated in several different ways.
 Most illnesses require a combination of
therapeutic methods for successful treatment.
Examples therapeutic methods:
 Drug therapy- treatment with drugs
 Diet therapy- treatment by diet, such as a low-
salt diet for patients with cardiovascular disease.
 Physiotherapy- treatment with natural physical
forces such as water, light, and heat.
 Psychological therapy- identification of
stressors and methods to reduce or eliminate
stress and the use of drugs.
DRUGS
 Dutch droog, meaning dry
 Are chemical substances that have an
effect on living organisms.
 Therapeutic drugs called MEDICINES
 Used in the prevention or treatment of
disease.
SOURCES OF DRUGS
1. Plants
 plants and plant parts have been used as
medicines since pre historic times.
Ex. Digitalis product used to treat cardiac
disorders
Drugs also may be processed using a
synthetic version of the active chemical
Ex. Dronabinal (Marinol) contains the active
ingredient delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol
found in marijuana.
Drugs Derived from Plants
Plant Product

Ricinus Communis Seed, oil, caster oil

Digitalis purpurea Leaves, dried leaves,

(foxglove plant) digitalis leaf

Papaver somniferum Unripe capsule, opium,

(poppy plant) morphine, codeine
Animals
 Animal products are used to replace human
chemicals that fail to be produced because of
disease or genetic problems.
 Insulin for treating diabetes was obtained
exclusively from the pancreas of cows and pigs.
 Genetic engineering- the process of altering
DNA- permits scientists to produce human
insulin by altering E. coli bacteria.
 Thyroid drugs and growth hormone.
Inorganic Compounds
 Salts of various chemical elements can have
therapeutic effects in the human body.
Element Therapeutic use
Aluminum Antacid to decrease gastric
acidity
Management of
hyperphosphatemia
Prevention of the formation of
phosphate urinary stones
Fluorine (as fluoride) Prevention of dental cavities
Prevention of osteoporosis
Gold Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Iron Treatment of Iron deficiency
anemia
Synthetic Sources
 Developed after chemicals in plants, animals, or
the environment had been tested.
 Scientist use genetic engineering to alter
bacteria to produce chemicals.
 Differentiate
between generic name,
brand name, over the counter drugs
and prescription drugs,
Chemical Name
 Is most meaningful to the chemist.
 The chemist understands exactly of the
chemical constitution of the drug.
 Exact placing of its atoms or molecular
groupings.
Generic Name
 Before a drug becomes official
 Common name
 Simpler than the chemical name
 First letter of the generic name is not
capitalized.
 When a therapeutic equivalent drug is available
in a generic form, a generic medicine is
routinely substituted for the brand name
medicine.
Official name
 Is the name under which the drug is listed by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 FDA is empowered by federal law to name the drugs for
human use.
Trademark (Brand Name) or proprietary
name R

 Is followed by the symbol

 Indicates that the name is registered and that its use
is restricted to the owner of the drug, who is usually
the manufacturer.
 Ex. Generic Name: ampicillin
Official name: ampicillin, USP
Brand name: Principen, Polycillin
 DRUG CLASSIFICATION
 Body system - (e.g. drug affecting the central nervous
system, drugs affecting the cardiovascular system, or drugs
affecting the GI system).
 Therapeutic use or clinical indications- ( e.g. antacids,
antibiotics, antihypertensives, diuretics, or laxatives).
 Physiologic or chemical action- (anticholinergics, beta-
adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers, and
cholinergics).
 Prescription drugs- require an order by a health
professional who is licensed to prescribe (physician, nurse
practitioner, physician assistant, pharmacist, or dentist)
Continues….
 Nonprescription, or OTC- drugs are sold without a
prescription in a pharmacy or the health section of
department or grocery stores.
 Ilegal drugs/ recreational drugs- are drugs or
chemical substances used for non-therapeutic
purposes.
 Sources of Drug Information
Drug Labels
 have specific information that identifies a specific
drug.
 Ex. A drug label identifies the brand and generic
names for the drug, the drug dosage, the expiration
date, and special drug warnings.
Package Inserts
 all drugs come with a package insert prepared by
the manufacturer according to strict FDA regulations.
 the package insert contains all of the chemical and
study information that led to the drug’s approval.
Reference Books
 The Physicians’ Drug Reference (PDR)
 Drug Facts and Comparisons
 AMA Drug Evaluation
 Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide (LNDG)
Journals
Internet Information