Introduction to Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of science that studies drugs and their interactions with living organisms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the chemical properties of drugs, their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, a nd potential side effects. Pharmacology is essential for the development of new medications and the improvement of existing treatments, playing a crucial role in modern medicine. History of Pharmacology The origins of pharmacology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where natural substances like herbs, minerals, and animal products were used for medicinal purposes. The first recorded use of drugs dates back to ancient Egypt, China, and India, where traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) were developed. In the 19th century, pharmacology began to evolve into a more scientific discipline. The development of organic chemistry allowed scientists to isolate and synthesize active compounds from natural sources. This period saw the discovery of important drugs s uch as morphine, quinine, and aspirin. The establishment of pharmacology as a distinct scientific field is often attributed to Rudolf Buchheim, who founded the first pharmacology institute at the University of Dorpat (now Tartu) in Estonia in 1847. Basic Principles of Pharmacology Pharmacology is divided into two main subfields: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics Pharmacodynamics (PD) is the study of how drugs affect the body. It involves understanding the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Key concepts in pharmacodynamics include: • Receptor Theory : Drugs exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. These receptors can be proteins, enzymes, or other molecules that regulate physiological processes. • Agonists and Antagonists : Agonists are drugs that activate receptors, mimicking the effects of natural signaling molecules. Antagonists, on the other hand, block receptor activity, preventing the natural ligand from binding and producing its effect. • Dose -Response Relationship : The relationship between the dose of a drug and the magnitude of its effect is critical in determining the appropriate dosage for therapeutic use. This relationship is often represented by a dose -response curve. Pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how the body processes drugs. It involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Key concepts in pharmacokinetics include: • Absorption : The process by which a drug QUESTION 1. CYCLOOXYGENASE (COX-1, COX-2) Cyclooxygenase, an enzyme important for prostaglandin formation, abbreviated COX, has a form that we colloquially refer to as good COX and bad COX. Which cyclooxygenase is the “bad COX?” a) COX -1 b) COX -2 c) COX -3 d) COX -4 Answer B. Inhibiting or blocking COX -1, the good COX, can result in bad things: gastric erosion and ulcers, kidney impairment and bleeding. Suppresssing COX -2, the bad COX, can result in good things like suppressing inflammation, reducing pain and fever, and protecting against colon cancer. Introduction to Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of science that studies drugs and their interactions with living organisms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the chemical properties of drugs, their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, a nd potential side effects. Pharmacology is essential for the development of new medications and the improvement of existing treatments, playing a crucial role in modern medicine. History of Pharmacology The origins of pharmacology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where natural substances like herbs, minerals, and animal products were used for medicinal purposes. The first recorded use of drugs dates back to ancient Egypt, China, and India, where traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) were developed. In the 19th century, pharmacology began to evolve into a more scientific discipline. The development of organic chemistry allowed scientists to isolate and synthesize active compounds from natural sources. This period saw the discovery of important drugs s uch as morphine, quinine, and aspirin. The establishment of pharmacology as a distinct scientific field is often attributed to Rudolf Buchheim, who founded the first pharmacology institute at the University of Dorpat (now Tartu) in Estonia in 1847. Basic Principles of Pharmacology Pharmacology is divided into two main subfields: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics Pharmacodynamics (PD) is the study of how drugs affect the body. It involves understanding the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Key concepts in pharmacodynamics include: • Receptor Theory : Drugs exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. These receptors can be proteins, enzymes, or other molecules that regulate physiological processes. • Agonists and Antagonists : Agonists are drugs that activate receptors, mimicking the effects of natural signaling molecules. Antagonists, on the other hand, block receptor activity, preventing the natural ligand from binding and producing its effect. • Dose -Response Relationship : The relationship between the dose of a drug and the magnitude of its effect is critical in determining the appropriate dosage for therapeutic use. This relationship is often represented by a dose -response curve. Pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how the body processes drugs. It involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Key concepts in pharmacokinetics include: • Absorption : The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration. Factors influencing absorption include the drug's formulation, route of administration, and the presence of QUESTION 2. RESULTS OF BLOCKING COX -2 Drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and meloxicam affect cyclooxygenase. When we have inhibition of cyclooxygenase -2 (COX -2) we might expect all of the following except: a) Analgesia and antipyresis b) Colorectal cancer protection c) Gastric ulcers d) Suppressed inflammation C, Gastric ulcers. A gastric ulcer would likely result from blocking the good COX, COX -1. However, if we block COX -2, the bad COX, we get analgesia (pain reduction), antipyresis (fever reduction), colorectal cancer protection, and suppressed inflammation. QUESTION 3: IBUPROFEN VS ACETAMINOPHEN Often patients ask the difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen share all of the following therapeutic effects except: a) Analgesia b) b) Antiinflammatory c) c) Antipyresis d) d) Pain relief B, anti-inflammatory. While acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide pain Introduction to Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of science that studies drugs and their interactions with living organisms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the chemical properties of drugs, their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, a nd potential side effects. Pharmacology is essential for the development of new medications and the improvement of existing treatments, playing a crucial role in modern medicine. History of Pharmacology The origins of pharmacology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where natural substances like herbs, minerals, and animal products were used for medicinal purposes. The first recorded use of drugs dates back to ancient Egypt, China, and India, where traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) were developed. In the 19th century, pharmacology began to evolve into a more scientific discipline. The development of organic chemistry allowed scientists to isolate and synthesize active compounds from natural sources. This period saw the discovery of important drugs s uch as morphine, quinine, and aspirin. The establishment of pharmacology as a distinct scientific field is often attributed to Rudolf Buchheim, who founded the first pharmacology institute at the University of Dorpat (now Tartu) in Estonia in 1847. Basic Principles of Pharmacology Pharmacology is divided into two main subfields: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics Pharmacodynamics (PD) is the study of how drugs affect the body. It involves understanding the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Key concepts in pharmacodynamics include: • Receptor Theory : Drugs exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. These receptors can be proteins, enzymes, or other molecules that regulate physiological processes. • Agonists and Antagonists : Agonists are drugs that activate receptors, mimicking the effects of natural signaling molecules. Antagonists, on the other hand, block receptor activity, preventing the natural ligand from binding and producing its effect. • Dose -Response Relationship : The relationship between the dose of a drug and the magnitude of its effect is critical in determining the appropriate dosage for therapeutic use. This relationship is often represented by a dose -response curve. Pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how the body processes drugs. It involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Key concepts in pharmacokinetics include: • Absorption : The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration. Factors influencing absorption include the drug's formulation, route of administration, and the presence of relief (analgesia) and fever reduction (antipyresis), only ibuprofen can provide anti-inflammatory effects. So we have two basic branches, the drug that can’t affect inflammation and the one that can. QUESTION 4. THE CELECOXIB ADVANTAGE 4) What was thought of as a breakthrough was a selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor that might reduce GI distress from NSAID use. An arthritic patient with a history of GI distress and bleed might be a candidate for: a) Celecoxib b) Ibuprofen c) Naproxen ) Meloxicam A, celecoxib. Celecoxib was meant to protect against GI distress, but cardiac issues came up as patients took it reducing its utilization. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and meloxicam would likely eventually cause GI distress. Introduction to Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of science that studies drugs and their interactions with living organisms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the chemical properties of drugs, their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, a nd potential side effects. Pharmacology is essential for the development of new medications and the improvement of existing treatments, playing a crucial role in modern medicine. History of Pharmacology The origins of pharmacology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where natural substances like herbs, minerals, and animal products were used for medicinal purposes. The first recorded use of drugs dates back to ancient Egypt, China, and India, where traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) were developed. In the 19th century, pharmacology began to evolve into a more scientific discipline. The development of organic chemistry allowed scientists to isolate and synthesize active compounds from natural sources. This period saw the discovery of important drugs s uch as morphine, quinine, and aspirin. The establishment of pharmacology as a distinct scientific field is often attributed to Rudolf Buchheim, who founded the first pharmacology institute at the University of Dorpat (now Tartu) in Estonia in 1847. Basic Principles of Pharmacology Pharmacology is divided into two main subfields: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics Pharmacodynamics (PD) is the study of how drugs affect the body. It involves understanding the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Key concepts in pharmacodynamics include: • Receptor Theory : Drugs exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. These receptors can be proteins, enzymes, or other molecules that regulate physiological processes. • Agonists and Antagonists : Agonists are drugs that activate receptors, mimicking the effects of natural signaling molecules. Antagonists, on the other hand, block receptor activity, preventing the natural ligand from binding and producing its effect. • Dose -Response Relationship : The relationship between the dose of a drug and the magnitude of its effect is critical in determining the appropriate dosage for therapeutic use. This relationship is often represented by a dose -response curve. Pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how the body processes drugs. It involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Key concepts in pharmacokinetics include: • Absorption : The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration. Factors influencing absorption include the drug's formulation, route of administration, and the presence of QUESTION 5. THE DAILY ASPIRIN ISSUE In pharmacology, the best practice in using a medication can change even with the most common medicines. What concern about daily aspirin led to a change in the way prescribers look at it for protecting against cardiac events? a) Bleed risk that can outweigh protective benefit b) No longer suppresses platelet aggregation c) No longer protects against MI d) No longer protects against stroke A, Bleed risk that can outweigh protective benefit. While aspirin still suppresses platelet aggregation and can work to prevent MI and stroke in patients, the bleed risk is a concern. The new guidelines don’t apply to those who had a stroke/heart attack, u nderwent bypass surgery or had a stend procedure. These new guidelines apply to otherwise healthy adults and elderly with a high internal bleed risk.