UNIT 1: COURSE OVERVIEWPHARMACOLOGY CONCEPTS
CHAPTERS 2 AND 3Welcome! Feel free to “chat” with each other.
I’m here if you have any questions or comments. I’m looking forward to meeting you all!
Dr. Smith
IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU!
Michele Smith, PharmD, RPh, CPh Dr. Smith or Dr. S
University of Florida School of Pharmacy Graduate
Registered Pharmacist in Florida Experience in ambulatory care and long-term
care
SEMINAR TIPS
Class is one hour No apologies necessary if arriving late or
leaving early Seminars will be graded by Fridays;
can still do seminar option 2 if desired Grades based on:
Arriving on time Staying entire seminar Active participation throughout seminar Please see grading rubric in syllabus for details
SEMINAR TIPS Questions encouraged! Be sure to include question
mark”?”! Benefits to attending live seminar:
Meet your classmates! Get to know your instructor Opportunity to ask questions Real time practice (especially calculations!) Tips/hints for assignments and quizzes often included
Alternative Seminar Assignments or Seminar Option 2 Due Tuesdays 11:59 pm EST of the Unit
Power Point slides posted previous Tuesday in DocSharing Encouraged to print out and bring to seminar for note
taking
COURSE OVERVIEW
Print and Read Course Syllabus, then Read it again!Course calendar with assignments and
readingsGrading RubricsCourse policiesAIM informationEmail – usually answered within 24
hoursEmail Subject Lines should include Course,
Section, UsernameHS140 – 03-TAllen: Question regarding
Calculations
LATE POLICY “Late work will not be accepted unless there are
clear and compelling extenuating circumstances. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from completing course assignments/exams you must contact your instructor immediately -prior to the assignment/exam/quiz due-date unless prevented from doing so by emergency circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances are serious personal and/or family illness/hospitalization, death in the family, weather-related evacuation/emergencies, work emergencies, and issues related to active military assignment. Personal computer/software/internet connectivity issues and course blocks are not considered extenuating circumstances. Granting of late-work submission due to extenuating circumstances is at the discretion of the instructor and will require documentation for verification of extenuating circumstances.”
DISCUSSION BOARD
Discussion Board each week (except Unit 10)Post initial response by SaturdayPost responses to classmates by Tuesday
11:59 pm ESTFor full credit, must post 3 responses
with initial response by SaturdayEncouraged to provide web links, discuss
current eventsAvoid discussing personal medication
histories/asking adviceSee Grading Rubric in Syllabus for details
ASSIGNMENTS
Save files properly – points deducted if not username-project-unit#.doc. For example, a student named Tina
Allen would name her file TAllen-Calculations-Unit 3.doc.
For seminar: TAllen-Seminar-Unit 3.doc Show work for math assignments to earn
partial credit Read questions thoroughly and answer all
questions
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Keep up with reading – get to know the text!
Stay involved in discussions and seminars – adds interest (and points)!
Familiarize w/ resources – and use them!Study guides for quizzes, practice
worksheets, text workbookEmail, AIM
Learn Calculations – don’t just “get by”Seek help early
REFERENCES
Pharmacology is constantly changing
Every year….New drugs come into the marketOther drugs are taken off the marketNew generics become availableNew warnings are issuedNew indications are approved
REFERENCES
Books should be current published within last 2 years
Websites –www.rxlist.comwww.webmd.comManufacturer’s website
Must cite using APA format
WHAT IS A DRUG?
A chemical used for a therapeutic application Drug indications
Therapeutic Diagnostic Replacement Supplemental Preventative Curative Maintenance Supportive
MEDICATION INDICATIONS
Therapeutic – to relieve symptoms Cough and cold medications
Diagnostic – to diagnose a disease or disease progression Contrast dye for procedures
Replacement – to replace missing chemicals the body needs Thyroid
Supplemental – to prevent deficiencies Vitamins
MEDICATION INDICATIONS
Preventative – to prevent an illness Vaccines
Palliative – to reduce symptoms, but doesn’t cure Pain Medications
Curative – to cure a condition Antibiotics
Maintenance – to maintain health that may be at risk Blood pressure medications
Supportive – to maintain “homeostasis” Asthma “rescue” inhalers
WHAT MAKES A DRUG?
Active ingredient Pure, undiluted form of a chemical having an effect
on body function Inert ingredient
Little or no effect on body function Adds flavor, bulk, color
Vehicle Inactive ingredient carrying an active medicinal
ingredient
WHERE DO DRUGS COME FROM?
Pharmacognosy – the origins of drugs Historically drugs come from…
Plants Animals Minerals Synthetic substances (chemicals)
Recently… Recombinant DNA technology (gene splicing)
WHAT DOES THE BODY DO TO A DRUG?
Involves four processes (A-D-M-E) Absorption – movement of a drug from its administration site into the blood Distribution – movement of a drug form the blood into tissues and cells Metabolism –physical and chemical alteration of a drug in the body Excretion-removal of waste products from the body
A - ABSORPTION
Medications are administered by three routes:
GI Tract (orally)
Parenteral (IV, IM, SQ)
Through the skin (topical)
Modified from Leahy, JM, Kizilay, PE (1998). Foundations of nursing practice. Philadelphia: Saunders.
HOW ARE DRUGS NAMED?
Chemical name – based on molecular structure N-acetyl-p-aminophenol.
Generic/nonproprietary name –USP/NF official name Lowercase acetaminophen
Trade/Brand/Proprietary name- manufacturer’s registered name for the drug while it is under patent Tylenol
WHAT CAN AFFECT ABSORPTION?
Solubility – tendency of a drug to dissolve pH-acidic drugs are easily absorbed in the
stomach Absence or presence of food in the stomach –
food slows absorption rate Fat solubility-medications high in fat are
easily absorbed in the stomach
TOPICAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Topical drugs’ absorption depends on: Length of time in contact with skin Skin thickness Composition of vehicle (cream, ointment)
Topical medications can be dangerous in elderly patients as thinner skin may absorb more leading to toxicities
D - DISTRIBUTION Drug is delivered to
tissues through blood vessels and capillaries
Drug’s effect takes place in tissues, not blood vessels
Modified from Leahy, JM, Kizilay, PE (1998). Foundations of nursing practice. Philadelphia: Saunders
DRUG BLOOD LEVEL
Amount of drug circulating bloodstream Physicians may monitor blood levels
Digoxin Dilantin
M - METABOLISM
Series of chemical reactions altering a drug by converting it into a water soluble compound for excretion
Modified from Leahy, JM, Kizilay, PE (1998). Foundations of nursing practice. Philadelphia: Saunders
E – EXCRETION (ELIMINATION) May occur through…
RespirationPerspirationUrinationDefecation
Modified from Leahy, JM, Kizilay, PE (1998).
Foundations of nursing practice. PA: Saunders.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
The combined effect of drugs administered together
Synergism – Two drugs taken together BOOST each other’s effect more than either drug alone Coumadin/Aspirin
Antagonism- One drug counteracts or reduces the effect of the other drug Blood pressure medication/pseudoephedrine
Potentiation-One drug prolongs the effect of another drug Tagamet/theophylline
EFFECTS OF DRUGS
Desired effect – intended response Side effect- mild, undesired response Adverse reaction – undesirable response
causing unintended symptoms Allergic reaction- hypersensitivity to a drug Anaphylaxis – severe, potentially fatal
allergic reaction
DRUG FORMS
Tablets May be coated, may be scored Chewable, sublingual, buccal May be extended release – do not crush
Capsules May hide unpleasant odor, taste Some may be opened and added to food May be extended release – do not open
DRUG FORMS
Liquids Syrup Elixir Extracts
Topical Lotions Creams Ointments