Pharmacology Essentials: Drug Actions and Interactions

Pharmacokinetics specifically focuses on how the body processes a drug through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, rather than drug production, interactions with food, or pricing/marketing strategies.

Toxicology is the science that specifically deals with poisons and their effects on living organisms. Geology focuses on the Earth's physical structure and substance, meteorology studies the atmosphere and weather patterns, and psychology is the study of the mind and behavior.

The generic name refers to the common or general name of a drug, which can be used by any manufacturer to produce the medication. It is distinct from the brand name, which is owned and registered by a specific pharmaceutical company. Additionally, the generic name does not indicate the specific chemical composition of the drug, nor does it relate to the company that manufactures it.

Drug Interactions can occur when multiple drugs are used simultaneously, or when drugs interact with specific foods or other substances. It is not limited to just one drug, can involve different types of drugs, and is not exclusive to herbal supplements.

Pharmacology is the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology. It involves understanding how drugs interact with living organisms to produce a desired effect.

The maximum dose refers to the highest amount of a substance that can be consumed without causing harmful or toxic effects on the individual. It is essential in determining the safe limits of drug or substance administration.

A loading dose is administered initially to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels in the bloodstream before transitioning to a maintenance dose for ongoing therapy.

A maintenance dose is the amount of a drug that is required to keep the desired therapeutic effect over time. It is not the initial dose used to start treatment, the maximum dose allowed, or the dose needed for a cure or to avoid side effects.

A lethal dose is a dose of a substance that causes death to the organism that receives it. It is a term commonly used in toxicology and pharmacology.

A therapeutic dose refers to the range of dosage that is needed to maintain the desired response safely, ensuring that the benefits of the medication outweigh any potential risks.

The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food, drugs, and cosmetics through regulations and laws.

Misbranding refers to the situation where the name on the label of a drug does not match the actual contents of the drug. This can lead to confusion and potential harm to consumers.

The correct answer is 3 phases - phases one, two, and three - with each phase focusing on a specific aspect of drug testing.

Enteral refers to the administration of medication or nutrients via the oral route, while IV, IM, and SQ refer to administration methods involving injection into veins, muscles, and under the skin respectively.

Oral drug dosage forms are medications that are taken by mouth. Examples include tablets, capsules, and various liquid forms such as suspensions, elixirs, and syrups. In contrast, injections, patches, and creams are not considered oral dosage forms.

Topical drug dosage forms are applied to the skin for localized effects, not taken orally, intravenously, or rectally.

Parenteral dosage forms are administered by injections either directly into a vein using a syringe, or through an IV infusion or drip. Tablets, creams, and suppositories are not considered parenteral dosage forms as they are administered through oral, topical, or rectal routes respectively.

The term 'minimum dose' refers to the lowest amount of a medication or substance that is needed to achieve the desired effect, without taking more than necessary. This ensures that the individual is taking the least amount possible while still benefiting from the treatment.

Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, causing the individual to need higher doses to achieve the same initial effects.

Primary drug references consist of medical and professional journals, while secondary drug references provide factual and approved information on drugs (e.g., PDR, USP up to date by 1 year). Tertiary drug references typically include textbooks, although they are not as up to date as primary and secondary references.

In Vivo Testing refers to experiments or trials that are conducted in living organisms such as animals or humans to observe the effects of substances or treatments. It is different from in vitro testing which is done in controlled laboratory settings without involving living organisms. In Vivo Testing is crucial as it allows researchers to study the biological processes, effects, and potential risks of new compounds or drugs within a living system before they can be used on humans.

Controlled substances are classified into 5 schedules based on their potential for abuse and dependency. The correct order of severity is CI to CV, with CI having the highest potential for abuse and CV having the lowest.

Parenteral refers to any route of administration other than oral. This includes injections given intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), or topically.

DEA stands for Drug Enforcement Agency and is responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations in the United States.

In Vitro Testing specifically refers to testing conducted in controlled laboratory conditions using test tubes or equipment, rather than on live animals, in a simulated environment, or through computational models.

Absorption primarily occurs at the mucosa, where nutrients pass through the cell membranes and into the bloodstream. Skin absorption is more relevant for topical applications, while the esophagus and stomach are primarily involved in the digestion process.

An Investigational New Drug (IND) application is submitted to the FDA by a drug company after preliminary animal studies have been conducted to gather data on the safety and efficacy of a new drug. This application must be approved by the FDA before clinical trials can begin in humans.

Drug patents typically last for 20 years from the date of filing, but due to the lengthy approval process from regulatory agencies, the effective patent life is often around 17 years.