Pharmacology

RHPT-365

By

Majid Ahmad Ganaie M. Pharm., Ph.D.

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Pharmacology E mail: majidsays@gmail.com

Chapter 1:

Basic Principles of Pharmacology

Physical

therapy or

Drug

therapy?

BOTH?

Physical therapists, often encounter patients

who are taking various medications

Today’s questions

What is Pharmacology?

Why Should Physiotherapists study

Pharmacology?

Significance of Pharmacology

Drug dispensing in Saudi Arabia?

What are we going to cover?

Drug vs Medicine

What is a drug?

◦ Chemical substance of known structure,

other than food, which when

administered intentionally to a living

organism, produces a biological effect.

What is medicine?

◦ Chemical preparation, usually contains

one or more drugs, administered with the

intention of producing a therapeutic effect.

What is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology can be defined as the study of the effects of drugs on the function of living systems.

Born in mid 19th century – New biomedical science based on principle of experimentation not dogma.

Flourished in 20th century – Synthetic chemistry began to revolutionize pharmaceutical company.

What is Pharmacology today?

Receptor “A specific protein in either the plasma membrane or

interior of a target cell with which the drug combines”

Pharmacology, Few Definitions

Pharmacology ( Pharmakon “Greek” : Drug )

“ The effect of a drug (chemical) on the body (living system).

Drug “Chemical substance of known structure, other than food,

which when administered intentionally to a living organism,

produces a biological effect.

Dose “The amount of a drug to be administered at one time”

Mechanism of Action “How the drug exerts its action”

Indications

“The reasons for administering a medication or performing a treatment”

Contra-indications

“Factors that prevent the use of a medication or treatment (e.g., allergies)”

Pharmacology, Definitions

Effects (therapeutic effects)

“The desired results of

administration of a medication”

Side Effects (adverse effects)

“Effects that are harmful and

undesired, and that occur in

addition to the desired therapeutic

effects”

WHY STUDY PHARMACOLOGY?

Pharmacology for

Physiotherapists Drug therapy is pervasive among

patients coming for therapy. Some beneficial affects of drugs

enhanced by physical therapy.◦ Massage & strengthening exercises -

insulin

Physical therapy may exacerbate some of the adverse effects of drugs.

Understanding what drugs do to help patients know WHY focus on physiotherapy.

Four specific reasons PT’s must understand the patient’s

response to different drugs affecting

PT

◦ Drugs causing fatigue or sedation

Optimal scheduling purposes

◦ Pain medication

Drug-therapy interactions

◦ Heat-related modalities –

antihypertensives

Adverse Drug Reactions

◦ Swiss cheese theory of medical errors

Patient Safety Swiss Cheese

Theory

Brand or trade name (proprietary) is developed by the company

requesting approval for the drug and identifies it as the exclusive property of

that company.

Example 1: Metrogyl® is the trade name for metronidazole.

Example 2: Reglan® is the trade name for metoclopramide.

Example 3: Amoxil® is the trade name for amoxycillin.

Example 4: Celebrex® is the trade name for celecoxib.

Drug Nomenclature Chemical name represents the exact description of the drug’s

chemical composition

Example 1: the chemical name 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-l-ethanol is

condensed to the generic name metronidazole. The word methylnitro is

condensed to metroni and dazole is due to its imidazole ring

Example 2: Metoclopramide is the condensed form of the word

methoxychloroprocainamide: where Me is retained and th is written as t;

chloro is written as clo: and procainamide is written as pramide

Generic name (non-proprietary)

- derived from the chemical name itself

- simpler than the chemical name and

- easier to remember

Drug Sources

Plant Sources: Obtained from plant parts or products. Seeds, stem, roots,

leaves, resin, and other parts yield these drugs. Examples include

digoxin from digitalis and morphine from opium.

Mineral Sources: Some drugs are prepared from minerals, for example,

lithium carbonate (an antipsychotic), MgSO4 (a laxative)

Animal Sources: Glandular products from animals are used, such as insulin

and thyroid.

Synthetic Sources: Laboratories duplicate natural processes, and may

modify the products. Frequently this can eliminate side effects and

increase the potency of the drug. Examples include sulfonamides, and aspirin.

Recombinant proteins: Proteins that are synthesized by expression of

cloned genes in recombinant cells, such as interferons, antibodies

From micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria) Penicillin was discovered by

Alexander Fleming in 1928 as a product of penicillium notatum (a mold

growing in his lab)

DRUG DISPENSING IN SAUDI ARABIA?

Drug dispensing in Saudi Arabia?

Some drugs can be purchased Over

the Counter (OTC) from pharmacies.

Drugs are being dispensed from

hospital pharmacies.

Many patients also take combinations

of herbals and supplements on top of

their prescribed medicines.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO COVER?

What are we going to cover?

Basic principles of

pharmacology

◦Pharmacokinetics

◦Pharmacodynamics

◦Adverse Drug Reactions

After the basics Clinical uses of drugs Physiological effects of drugs in the body

system. The common drugs used in treatment of:

• Cardio-vascular system, there effects, side

effects and dose used

• Nervous system there effects, side effects

and dose used

• Chest diseases, there effects, side effects

and dose used

• Muscular dusfunction, there effects, side

effects and dose used

Summary

What is Pharmacology?

◦ Studying effect of drugs affecting

functions of living systems

Why Should Physiotherapists study

Pharmacology?

◦ 3 general 4 specific reasons

Drug dispensing in Saudi Arabia?

◦ Generics vs Brand

What are we going to cover?

◦ A lot

References

Gladson, B. Pharmacology for

Physical Therapists.

Rang et al (2007) Rang & Dale’s

Pharmacology.

http://www.mims.com/