Pharmacology. 13/II/19-14/II/20
Introduction to pharmacology
1. Learning outcomes
Describe and explain the different branches of Pharmacology.
Name drugs correctly.
Briefly discuss the process of drug discovery and development.
Outline what drugs are and the difference between treatment and cure.
Explain the concepts of selectivity and affinity.
Explain the concepts of drug receptor interactions.
Explain a dose response curve and estimate the EC50for a drug.
Explain the difference between and agonist and antagonist, and the different types
2. What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacodynamics
- The physiological effect of a drug or its mechanism of action, biochemical explanation for the
change we observe. Most side effects are pharmacodynamic
- What the drug does to us
Pharmacokinetics
- The disposition of a drug by the body, it’s metabolism and removal from the system
- What we do to the drug
3. What is a drug?
A drug is a molecule you apply to a physiological system that rectifies the symptoms. Vitamins, minerals,
things derived from diet are not drugs
Therapy or cure
- Therapy
o A drug which treats causes of a condition bur does not rectify the underlying
physiological cause meaning that if you stop taking it the symptoms will appear again.
o Example atenolol treatment for hypertension, cetirizine hydrochorideas an
antihistamine
- Cure
o A drug which removes the underlying physiological cause of a condition.
o Example antibiotic, antifungal
o Do you think anti-cancer agents are cures? Depends on the treatment
- Naming drugs
o 1. Chemical eg2-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)propanoicacid
o 2. Generic (nonproprietary) eg ibuprofen (no capital letter)
o 3. Brand name (proprietary) eg Nurofen, Brufen, Calprofen(UK), Advil (USA) (capital
letters)
o Always use generic name
, Pharmacology. 13/II/19-14/II/20
Introduction to pharmacology
4. How do we make drugs?
Where do drugs come from?
How do drugs work
- They move by diffusion need transport protein
- Bind to biological molecules
- Lipids –potential lipoprotein targets in viral infections
- Nucleic acids -anti cancer agents
- Proteins -typical targets
o Receptors –β adrenoceptorsantagonists
o Enzymes –angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
o Ion channels –gastric proton pump inhibitors
o Protein carriers –selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
5. Receptors and targets
Drug targets
Introduction to pharmacology
1. Learning outcomes
Describe and explain the different branches of Pharmacology.
Name drugs correctly.
Briefly discuss the process of drug discovery and development.
Outline what drugs are and the difference between treatment and cure.
Explain the concepts of selectivity and affinity.
Explain the concepts of drug receptor interactions.
Explain a dose response curve and estimate the EC50for a drug.
Explain the difference between and agonist and antagonist, and the different types
2. What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacodynamics
- The physiological effect of a drug or its mechanism of action, biochemical explanation for the
change we observe. Most side effects are pharmacodynamic
- What the drug does to us
Pharmacokinetics
- The disposition of a drug by the body, it’s metabolism and removal from the system
- What we do to the drug
3. What is a drug?
A drug is a molecule you apply to a physiological system that rectifies the symptoms. Vitamins, minerals,
things derived from diet are not drugs
Therapy or cure
- Therapy
o A drug which treats causes of a condition bur does not rectify the underlying
physiological cause meaning that if you stop taking it the symptoms will appear again.
o Example atenolol treatment for hypertension, cetirizine hydrochorideas an
antihistamine
- Cure
o A drug which removes the underlying physiological cause of a condition.
o Example antibiotic, antifungal
o Do you think anti-cancer agents are cures? Depends on the treatment
- Naming drugs
o 1. Chemical eg2-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)propanoicacid
o 2. Generic (nonproprietary) eg ibuprofen (no capital letter)
o 3. Brand name (proprietary) eg Nurofen, Brufen, Calprofen(UK), Advil (USA) (capital
letters)
o Always use generic name
, Pharmacology. 13/II/19-14/II/20
Introduction to pharmacology
4. How do we make drugs?
Where do drugs come from?
How do drugs work
- They move by diffusion need transport protein
- Bind to biological molecules
- Lipids –potential lipoprotein targets in viral infections
- Nucleic acids -anti cancer agents
- Proteins -typical targets
o Receptors –β adrenoceptorsantagonists
o Enzymes –angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
o Ion channels –gastric proton pump inhibitors
o Protein carriers –selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
5. Receptors and targets
Drug targets
