Pharmacology‘Pharmac’ Medicine

Categories Drugs are categorised according to function e.g.

anti inflammatories,

antihypertensives,

Antibiotics

Are known as group names

DrugsGeneric Name Name given to individual drugs – usually relates to

chemical compounds e.g. paracetamol

Trade or brand name Name given to a drug by the company that made it Names are registered and must be written with a

capitol e. Panadol Some drugs can have many trade names

Routes of Administration Drugs can be administered in a variety of

ways

This depends on what type the drug is; how quickly it produces an effect & whether the patient is conscious or not

Route is described as “per” meaning through

Terms and AbbreviationsTerm Meaning Abbreviation Medication

typeper oral through the

mouthPO,O tablets, syrup,

powdersInhaled breathed into

the lungsinhal sprays or

powdersSublingual under the

tongueSL certain tablets

Topical on the skin TOP creams,lotions,powders

Terms and AbbreviationsTerm Meaning Abbreviation Medication

typeIntramuscular into the muscle IM,IMI solutions for

injections

Intravenous into the vein IV,IVI solutions specifically for injection

Per vagina into the vagina PV pessaries, douches

Per rectum into the rectum PR Suppositries, enemas

Drug Actions Side effects – e.g. Aspirin relieves pain but can

cause irritation to the gastric mucosa,and trigger asthma

Contraindications (cautioned against) – e.g. aspirin is contraindicated for people with gastric ulcers or asthma

Cumulation – some drugs can accumulate in the body if taken in high doses of over a long period of time and cause toxic effects

Cumulation Digoxin is a drug used for cardiac

arrhythmias. (slows & strengthens the heartbeat

Digoxin can accumulate in the body causing the heart to slow down too much, as well as causing GIT upsets, dizziness, and confusion

Tolerance This occures as the body becomes

accustomed to the drug so larger doses are needed over time to achieve the desired effect

E.g. drugs of addiction such as Pethidine, Morphine

Common types of drugsType of drug Action

Antihistamine works against allergies

Antipyretic works to decrease temperature(pyr/o means heat)

Analgesic works to stop pain

Antifungal works to overcome fungal infections

Antibiotic works to overcome bacterial infections

Anti arrhythmic works to stop abnormal heartbeats

Common types of drugsType of drug Action

Diuretic works to increase the amount of fluids filtered by the kidneys

Vaccine works to protect the body from infectious diseases

Antidepressant works to overcome depressive illness

Anti-inflammatory

works to reduce inflammation in soft tissue Act 1

Dangerous drugs -2 main categories Prescription medication – can only be

dispensed with a registered doctor’s prescription

Over-the- counter medication- can be purcheased without a script

Medical Practices & medications Moderate supply is kept on the premises.

Be aware that medications & scripts are targets for theft

Poisons Act describes laws regarding storage of drugs and handling of all medications

Drugs in Medical Practices are Schedule 4 and 8.These are classed as dangerous drugs

You may be responsible for checking and recording stock numbers and ordering new supplies.

Know your responsibility and follow policy & procedure regarding medications

Dangerous Drugs – Schedule 4

Can only be bought on prescription

Include mild addictive drugs e.g. those used for sleeping disorders, as well as hormones, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory

Schedule 8 drugs Include highly addictive drugs e.g. Morphine,

and Pethidine These drugs are kept in a separate lockable

cupobosrd securely attached to the wall. All S8 drugs are recorded in a register which

shows all transactions Any loss or theft must be reported to

Pharmaceutical Services Branch

Consumer Product Information Is the written information that accompanies the

medication

It explains what it is

when &how it should be taken

possible side effects

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Is provided by the Commonwealth

Government

Form of subsidy – costs less to the public

PBS Safety Net – after a specified maximum amount is paid per year, medication will be cheaper for the remainder of the year

MIMS

Is a manual that describes all current drugs and product information

Includes generic and trade names

Abbreviations Refer to notes

General TermsAnaphylaxis An acute allergic reaction to a medication which can be

life threatening depending on severityBacteria single celled organisms – responsible for many

infections that antibiotics are used

Contraindications Any factor in a patient’s condition that makes it unwise to use a particular treatment

Hypersensitivity Abnormal reaction of theimmune system to an antigen.Only occurs on second or subsequent exposures

Interaction Altered reaction of the body to one drug when another is taken at the same time

Parental A term applied to the administration of drugs or pther substances ay any route other than GIT tract