Terms & Concepts
I. Names of drugs
1. chemical names
2. generic names: not capitalized
3.
trade (brand) name: given by drug compancy
II. Dosages of drugs:
1. body weight often considered mg/kg
2. dose response curve
A, ED50 (median effective dose) & LD50
(median lethal dose)
B.
therapeutic index (LD50/ED50)
3. potency vs effectiveness
A. lower ED50 (more potent)
B. greater max. effect (more
effective)
III. Main effects (why you
take the drug) & side effects
IV. Drug interactions
1. antagonism: cancelling of effects
2. additive: effects sum
3. synergistic (superadditive): effects
greater than summing
V. Tolerance: becoming less
sensitive with continued use
1. some effects show
tolerance others do not
2. tachyphylaxis
3. acute tolerance
4. mechanisms of
tolerance: metabolic, physiological, behavioral
VI. Physical dependence:
withdrawal may occur when use stops
VII. Routes of administration
1. parenteral
routes: need vehicle
A. subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, & intravenous
B. implanted venous catheters
2. inhalation of
gases (e.g., either)
3. intranasal:
sniffed into nostrils
4. orally: safer
than injections
A. absorption best in small intestine
B. acid versus base
5. other routes: buccalor membranes, suppositories, transdermal
VIII. Drug distribution in
the body
1. lipid solubility
2. protein binding
3. blood-brain-barrier
IX. Excretion &
metabolism
1. kidneys filter
the blood
A. half-life
2. liver: produces
enzymes to metabolize drugs
3. factors that
influence metabolism
A. enzyme induction
B. depression of enzymes
C. age: kids & elderly more slowly
D. race
E. gender
F. disease, nutrition, biorhythms
4. other factors
that influence drug effects
A. body temp., posture, hydration,
expectations, personality,
setting
X. Therapeutic window:
maintain appropriate blood levels