Lecture pharmacology

7 important questions on Lecture pharmacology

Difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacodynamics: what happens in the body due to drug administration. Pharmacokinetics: what happens to the drug due to the bodies' actions?

ADME is used for indication of the drug concentration time profile. What is this the mnemonic for? You use this to determine the effective concentration

1. Absorption: systemic circulation (blood); GI tract, liver, muscle lung.
2. Distribution throughout the body: blood, brain, tissue
3. Metabolism of the drug into metabolites (liver, gut, kidney)
4. Excretion of the drug and metabolites: bile, kidney, breath, skin.

Why would absorption fail?

A) it being destroyed in the stomach due to the acidity
B) they need to be very large and patients start vomiting
C) with some drugs the liver is very effective with breaking the drug down. An example would be nitoglycerin for angina pectoris; Bioavailability is then zero. D) Sometimes you only need a local effect.
E) sometimes you need an immediate effect -> intravenous. You can have high risk of infections
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What are factors that influence the absorption rate?

Many factors influence rate of absorption.
The molecular weight and the solubility of the molecule = large molecules have difficulty penetrating tissues while small molecules have little difficulty.
Vehicles where the drugs are dissolved. If the vehicle is dissolved in fatty tissue it will be unlikely to be found in watery tissues.

Local blood flow of the tissue. The Intramuscular tissue is faster than Subutaneous.

How does the chosen route influence absorption effect and the concentration -time profiles.

1. Intravenous gives peak and concentration drops shortly after.
2. IM: high peek and slow drop.
3. Subcutaneous: takes some time, within efficicacy.
4. Oral; only temporarly effective.
5. Rectal: does not reach effective amounts.

How does liphophilic dissolve differently in various people?

Lipophilic drugs get dissolved better in a obese person. So its concentration will be lower in a fat person. The fat person will be subtherapeutic while the skinny person will be experiencing side effects.

How does the excretion change over time?

The eGFR declines with age. Less secretion means a high serum balance of drugs. A small person excretes more than a big person.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo