Pharmacology

‘Pharmac’ Medicine

Categories

Drugs are categorised according to function e.g.

anti inflammatories,

antihypertensives,

Antibiotics

Are known as group names

Drugs

Generic Name Name given to individual drugs – usually relates to

chemical compounds e.g. paracetamol

Trade or brand name Name given to a drug by the company that made it Names are registered and must be written with a

capitol e. Panadol Some drugs can have many trade names

Routes of Administration

Drugs can be administered in a variety of ways

This depends on what type the drug is; how quickly it produces an effect & whether the patient is conscious or not

Route is described as “per” meaning through

Terms and Abbreviations

Term Meaning Abbreviation Medication type

per oral through the mouth

PO,O tablets, syrup, powders

Inhaled breathed into the lungs

inhal sprays or powders

Sublingual under the tongue

SL certain tablets

Topical on the skin TOP creams,

lotions,

powders

Terms and Abbreviations

Term Meaning Abbreviation Medication type

Intramuscular into the muscle IM,IMI solutions for injections

Intravenous into the vein IV,IVI solutions specifically for injection

Per vagina into the vagina PV pessaries, douches

Per rectum into the rectum PR Suppositries, enemas

Drug Actions

Side effects – e.g. Aspirin relieves pain but can cause irritation to the gastric mucosa,and trigger asthma

Contraindications (cautioned against) – e.g. aspirin is contraindicated for people with gastric ulcers or asthma

Cumulation – some drugs can accumulate in the body if taken in high doses of over a long period of time and cause toxic effects

Cumulation

Digoxin is a drug used for cardiac arrhythmias. (slows & strengthens the heartbeat

Digoxin can accumulate in the body causing the heart to slow down too much, as well as causing GIT upsets, dizziness, and confusion

Tolerance

This occures as the body becomes accustomed to the drug so larger doses are needed over time to achieve the desired effect

E.g. drugs of addiction such as Pethidine, Morphine

Common types of drugs

Type of drug Action

Antihistamine works against allergies

Antipyretic works to decrease temperature

(pyr/o means heat)

Analgesic works to stop pain

Antifungal works to overcome fungal infections

Antibiotic works to overcome bacterial infections

Anti arrhythmic works to stop abnormal heartbeats

Common types of drugs

Type of drug Action

Diuretic works to increase the amount of fluids filtered by the kidneys

Vaccine works to protect the body from infectious diseases

Antidepressant works to overcome depressive illness

Anti-inflammatory

works to reduce inflammation in soft tissue Act 1

Dangerous drugs -2 main categories

Prescription medication – can only be dispensed with a registered doctor’s prescription

Over-the- counter medication- can be purcheased without a script

Medical Practices & medications Moderate supply is kept on the premises.

Be aware that medications & scripts are targets for theft

Poisons Act describes laws regarding storage of drugs and handling of all medications

Drugs in Medical Practices are Schedule 4 and 8.These are classed as dangerous drugs

You may be responsible for checking and recording stock numbers and ordering new supplies.

Know your responsibility and follow policy & procedure regarding medications

Dangerous Drugs – Schedule 4

Can only be bought on prescription

Include mild addictive drugs e.g. those used for sleeping disorders, as well as hormones, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory

Schedule 8 drugs

Include highly addictive drugs e.g. Morphine, and Pethidine

These drugs are kept in a separate lockable cupobosrd securely attached to the wall.

All S8 drugs are recorded in a register which shows all transactions

Any loss or theft must be reported to Pharmaceutical Services Branch

Consumer Product Information

Is the written information that accompanies the medication

It explains what it is

when &how it should be taken

possible side effects

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Is provided by the Commonwealth Government

Form of subsidy – costs less to the public

PBS Safety Net – after a specified maximum amount is paid per year, medication will be cheaper for the remainder of the year

MIMS

Is a manual that describes all current drugs and product information

Includes generic and trade names

Abbreviations

Refer to notes

General Terms

Anaphylaxis An acute allergic reaction to a medication which can be life threatening depending on severity

Bacteria single celled organisms – responsible for many infections that antibiotics are used

Contraindications Any factor in a patient’s condition that makes it unwise to use a particular treatment

Hypersensitivity Abnormal reaction of theimmune system to an antigen.Only occurs on second or subsequent exposures

Interaction Altered reaction of the body to one drug when another is taken at the same time

Parental A term applied to the administration of drugs or pther substances ay any route other than GIT tract