Pharmacology Defined• The study of drugs, their sources, their nature, and
their properties. Pharmacology is the study of the body's reaction to drugs.
• Why important for TR/RT?– Impact on interventions– Team discussions– Administration
Routes of Administration• Oral (PO)
– Must withstand acidic environment of stomach– Must permeate the gut lining before entering the
blood stream• Sublingual
– Absorbed under the tongue– Stomach is bypassed
Routes of Administration• Rectal (PR)
– Unconscious or vomiting or small children– Absorption is unreliable
• Inhalation– Rapid absorption– Some in devices with metered doses
Routes of Administration• Topical
– Used for local delivery– Used if toxic effects if administered systematically
• Transdermal– Patch– Drugs seeps out through skin and capillary bed
Routes of Administration• Intravenous (IV)
– Injected directly into blood stream– Rapid action
• Intramuscular (IM)– Passes through capillary walls to enter blood
stream• Subcutaneous
– Injected beneath the skin
Based on research• Efficacy
– Degree drug is able to induce maximal effects– Drug A vs. drug B
• Potency– Amount of drug needed to produce 50% of
maximal response– Morphine more potent than codeine
Drug Interactions• Altered absorptions
– Antiulcer drugs coasts stomach may decrease GI absorption of other drugs
• Altered metabolism• Altered excretion
– Drugs may act on kidneys
Other terms• Tolerance
– Decreased response to a drug– Drug must be increased to get same effect
• Dependence– Needs a drug to function normally– Cessation produces withdrawal symptoms– Physical or psychological
• Withdrawal– When drug is no longer given to dependent person– Opposite effects of drug
Importance of Patient Profile• Age (infants, elderly)• Pregnancy or nursing• Smoking and drinking habits
– Lower than expected drug concentration– Drug reaches toxic concentrations
• Liver or kidney disease (common in geriatric population)– Failing kidneys excrete fewer drug– Failing livers metabolize drugs poorly
Importance of Patient Profile• Pharmacogenetics
– Genetic differences between patients• Drug interactions• Psychosocial factors
– Poor patient compliance– Cost – Ease of administration– Dose schedule
• Olson, 2011
WebMDhttp://www.webmd.com/
• Health conditions• Drugs & supplements
– Medications• Warning, Uses, Side Effects, Interaction, Overdose
– Supplements• Symptom checker• WebMD for Android, iPhone, & iPad (Free)
Practice• Use Olson to find definition of COPD and medications• Use WebMD to find definition and treatment
– Compare/contrast both sources• Use WebMD to find Atrovent Inhl
– What is it used for?– What are the side effects & interactions?
• What if the client is using Lisinopril Oral? (what is this for?)– Uses, side effects, precautions, interactions
• What if the client is using Glucosamine Oral? (what is this for?)– Uses, side effects, precautions, interactions
• What medication is 5 sided and peach color?