Pharmacology: Chapter 1 - General Principles of Pharmacology

Absorption - A drug is moved from site of administration to body fluids; "first pass effect" process during pharmacokinetics Additive Drug Reaction - Is when the combined effect of two drugs is equal to the sum of each drug given alone. 1+ 1 = 2. Example, taking the drug heparin with alcohol will increase bleeding. Agonist - Is a drug that binds with a receptor and "stimulates" the receptor to produce a therapeutic response. Antagonist - Is a drug that joins with receptors but does not stimulate the receptors, instead it consists of "blocking" the receptor's function. Antagonistic Drug Reaction - Occurs when one drug interferes with the action of another, causing neutralization or a decrease in the effect of one of the drugs. Example, Narcan blocks effects of Morphine; used in ER situations in reversing overdose of Morphine. Accelerated Programs - Seeks to make life-saving investigational drugs available before granting final approval to treat diseases that pose a significant health threat to the public. Example, AIDS, this programs allows primary health care providers to administer medications that indicated positive results in early Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, rather than wait until final approval was granted. Adverse Reaction - Undesirable drug effect, m