Introduction to
Pharmacology
1
Introduction
Definition: Study of the drugs.
“A branch of medical sciences that study
drugs and their action on living
organisms”
Also looks at the history, sources, and
physical and chemical properties of drugs
2
Pharmacologist:
“A scientist specialized in the study of
pharmacology”.
Pharmacy:
# “The science of the preparation and
dispensing of medicinal drugs”
# It is also: “A shop or hospital dispensary
where medicinal drugs are prepared or sold”
3
Pharmacist:
# “A person who is professionally qualified
and licensed to prepare and dispense
medicinal drugs”
Pharmacognosy:
# “The study of drugs derived from natural
sources as plants”
4
Drug (medication)
# “Any substance that affect biologic
function through its chemical actions”
Receptor:
# “A specific protein in either the cell
membrane or inside the cell at which the
chemical messenger of the drug
combines”
5
• Mechanism of Action
# “The ways by which drugs can produce its
therapeutic effects”
• Effects (therapeutic effect)
# “The desired results of administration of a
medication”
• Side Effects (adverse effects)
# “Effects that are harmful and undesired & that
occur in addition to the therapeutic effects” 6
• Indications
# “The reasons for administering a
medication or performing a treatment”
• Contra-indications
# “Factor that prevents the use of a
medication or treatment (e.g., Allergies)”
7
• Pharmacopeia
# It is a book containing directions for the
identification of compound medicines, and
published by the authority of a government or a
medical or pharmaceutical society
# It contains legally recognized standards of
identity, strength, purity, packaging, and labeling
for drug substances, dosage forms and other
therapeutic products, including nutritionals and
8
dietary supplements
Drug Sources
1- Plant Sources:
# Obtained from plant parts or products.
Seeds, stem, roots and leaves
# Examples include digoxin from digitalis
and morphine from opium
2- Animal Sources:
# Glandular products from animals are used,
such as insulin and thyroid 9
3- From micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria)
# Penicillin was discovered by Alexander
Fleming in 1928 as a product of penicillium
notatum fungi
4- Mineral Sources:
# Some drugs are prepared from minerals,
for example: lithium carbonate (an
antipsychotic), MgSO4 (a laxative) 10
5- Synthetic Sources:
# By laboratories which can diminish the
side effects and increase the potency of the
drug
# Examples include sulfonamides and
aspirin
6- Recombinant proteins:
# Proteins that are synthesized by genes in
recombinant cells, such as interferon and
antibodies
11
Drug Uses
Symptomatic treatment
Prevention of the disease
Diagnostic drugs
Curative of the disease
Health maintenance
Contraception 12
Dosage Forms
Tablets Douche
Capsule Emulsions
Lozenges Topical
Syrup Lotions
Suspensions Ointments
Solutions Drops
Powder Patches
Effervescent powder Suppositories
13
Routes of administering
medications
1. Enteral
• Orally (P.O)
The easiest and most usual way to give
drugs is by mouth.
• Buccal
• Sublingual
• Rectally
2. Inhalation
3. Intranasal
4. Transdermal 14
5. Topical (local application):
Skin; lotion, cream…etc.
Drops; eye, ear & nose.
Vaginal suppository
6. Parenteral: (by injection)
Intramuscular (IM)
Intradermal (ID)
Subcutaneous (SQ)
Intravenous (IV)
Intrathecal
15
Commonly used routes of drug administration 16
Drug Nomenclature (names)
1- Chemical name:
# It represents the exact description of the
drug’s chemical composition
2- Generic name (nonproprietary name):
# It is derived from the chemical name itself
# It is simpler and easier to remember
# The name is given by the United States
17
Adopted Names Council
Example: Metoclopramide is the condensed
form of the word Me-thoxy-chloro-
procainamide
Where:
Me is written Me
thoxy is written as to
chloro is written as clo
procainamide is written as pramide
Me-to-clo-pramide =
Me-thoxy-chloro-procainamide 18
3- Brand or trade name (proprietary):
# It is developed by the company requesting
approval for the drug and identifies it asthe
exclusive property of that company.
# Example: Plasil® and Primperan® are
trade names for Metoclopramide
19
