What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effects on living systems. It encompasses drug composition, properties, interactions, and toxicology, influencing medical science and therapy.
Drug Receptor Interactions
Drugs interact with cellular receptors to induce effects. The 'lock and key' model describes how a drug (key) fits a specific receptor (lock) to produce a biological response.
Phases of Drug Action
Drug action involves four phases: absorption (entry into bloodstream), distribution (throughout the body), metabolism (biotransformation), and excretion (elimination of waste). Each phase influences drug efficacy and duration.
Metabolism's Genetic Influence
Genetics plays a crucial role in drug metabolism. Variations in genes encoding for drug-metabolizing enzymes can lead to different therapeutic outcomes and adverse drug reactions among individuals.
Drug Half-Life Concept
A drug's half-life is the time it takes for its concentration in the blood to reduce by half. It is critical for determining dosing intervals and drug accumulation risks.
Adverse Drug Reactions
Adverse drug reactions range from mild to fatal. The 'off-target' effects occur when a drug interacts with unintended receptors, while dose-related toxicity results from excessive pharmacological action.
Placebo Effect Phenomenon
The placebo effect is a physiological response where a patient improves after receiving an inactive substance, highlighting the mind's role in drug responses and the importance of double-blind trials in research.
What does pharmacology study?
Drug composition and effects
Human anatomy developments
Biological system structures
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