Introduction to Pharmacology 

○ Antihyperlipidemics - lower blood cholesterol levels 

○ Antihypertensives - lower bp 
● All diseases have a molecular basis [pathogenic 
○ Antidysrhythmics/antiarrhythmics treat an abnormal 
/genetic] 
heartbeat 
● Biochemistry regulating cells, organs, metab processes 
○ Antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, 
● Understanding a bacterium’s biochemical processes → 
antinauseants 
develop a strategy to attack/impair its function = kill  ○ Decongestants, hallucinogens, sedatives, stimulants 
cells   ⬥ Pharmacological classification - mechanism of action on 
○ Inhibition - introduce a molecule that binds to active  the molecular level; the WAY drug achieves change 
site of an enzyme = kill  ○ Calcium channel blockers - block ca channels in the 
○ Regulate signalling molecules  heart and limit passage of ca ions thru the cell 
○ Other biochemical function  membrane 
● Identifying the exact cause = develop a molecule to be  ○ Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) - 
introduced to the body to ​regulate​ such  discourage the formation of angiotensin II by 
inhibiting the enzyme responsible for its production 
activities/mechanisms  
from angiotensin 
DRUGS 
○ Beta-adrenergic blockers inhibit proteins that receive 
— a molecule of this nature will have a highly specific  epinephrine [adrenaline] → heartbeat slower, BP is 
therapeutic effect  lowered 
— a chemically acting substances which has a  ● way a drug interacts with a biomolecule, usually a 
physiological effect when introduced to the body, other  protein (enzyme/receptor) that modifies the activity of 
than food (subs w nutri value), whether w therapeutic  that protein making it more specific. Biochem is req to 
effect or not  make sense of it 
— mole used strategically to cure illness  ● Classification depends on context, what’s being 
- Natural products ​— may exit in nature animal,  examined, described in a moment + the efficacy of a 
plants, or microorg   particular drug kung ano man mas 
- Synthesize in a laboratory  appropriate/commonly used 
- Biomacromolecule/biologics - large macromolecule  Naming Drugs 
like antibody  1. Chemical name 
- determined by the rules of chemical nomenclature 
PHARMACOLOGY 
designated by the IUPAC Intl Union of Pure and 
● Know what they do in the body to its molecular level, 
Applied chemistry   
applications, safety  - Only one chemical name  
● Branch of med that is concerned with the uses, effects,  - Specific rules, one molecule = one name [even if 
and mechanisms of action for any and all drugs  super long] 
- Chem → small molecules, biochem → biomolecules  - Chemically sounding → “chemophobia” - 
like protein/nucleic acids  irrational fear of chemicals/sounding things 
- Biology → Cell structure, activity bc drugs may  2. Generic Name 
affect cell division, metabolism, or any number of  - assigned by the U.S. Adopted Name Council for 
other complex cellular processes.   short and easy drug names 
- Only one​ generic name → nonchemists can 
- Anaphy → structure n function of all components of 
pronounce and understand these.  
h body [n its systems ]bc disease affect their regular 
3. Brand/Trade name 
function + drugs have to travel thru the body to  - Any number of brand names 
reach a particular target = response  - Chosen name is more for marketing 
- Microbiology → pathogens/disease causing  - Identical to active ingredient of generic 
microorganisms  - Pharma companies wanna make a bias in 
● With enough bg knowledge → comprehend the effects  consumer trends towards their version of the 
a drug will have in the body, and the various factors that  generic 
influence a drug’s bioactivity.  Combination Drugs 
● This also means we won’t fall for any medicine-related  - Drugs with more than one active ingredient 
Generic name vs. Brand name 
hoaxes 
● 100% same active ingredient 
Categorizing Drugs: Classes, Names, and  ● Bioavailability differs bc of discrepancy in inactive 
Schedules  ingredients - ability of the drug to move through the 
Classification  body to reach its target and elicit the desired effect. 
⬥ Therapeutic - CLINICAL purpose of the drug;  Discrepancies are minimal or completely negligible 
physiological change induced by the drug;   Scheduled drugs {Drug Abuse/Addiction} 
○ Anticoagulants - help prevent blood clots  ● Physical/psychological dependency 
● Classified accdg to the degree of potential for abuse 
 ○ I - highest abuse potential, no accepted med use:  - All trial data, intervention for intended use, 
heroin [most addictive substance known], marijuana,  benefits> risks 
LSD  - Once approved = SECOND TRANSLATIONAL 
○ II - high ab pot w severe dependence; narcotics,  MOMENT it’s ready for pts → intervention is not a 
amphetamines, and barbiturates; morphine and  science exp 
cocaine   Monitoring → ensures tx remains safe and effective 
○ III - less ab pot than ^ mod dep liability; onbarbi-   
turate sedatives, nonamphetamine stimulants, limited  How Does the FDA Approve a Drug?  
amounts of certain narcotics; ketamine, anabolic  ● Drugs need a target [cancer cells viruses enzymes or 
steroid, low lvls of codeine  receptors on the surface of our own cells] 
○ IV -limited dependence liability (some sedatives,  ● new drugs can be discovered in any number of ways  
antianxiety agents, and nonnarcotic analgesics  ● Derived from natural products, or created in a 
Valium and Xanax  laboratory to have a specific chemical structures to fit a 
○ V - limited abuse potential; antitussives, diarrheals,  given target [de novo drug design] 
small amt of narcotics (codeine) cough medicine and  ● High-throughput screening or HTS → utilizes robotics 
other OTC [low dependency]  and high speed computers to evaluate huge numbers of 
● Greater abuse = less thera application  potential drug molecules quickly and efficiently if a 
Other are not included in the triangle: caffeine, alcohol   compound is found to be active for a given target it may 
  be considered for further investigation  
FDA   ● Potential drug compounds undergo studies to assess 
Step 1: Discovery and development  how it is absorbed, where it is distributed, how/where 
● Findings on dse process ← how can we stop or reverse  it’s metabolized, excreted [PHARMACOKINETICS] 
effects of dse  ○ Important est safety/appropriate dose for human 
● Molecular compound tests to find effects  trials 
● Preclinical studies animals? 
The Clinical Trial Journey  ● investigational new drug or IND application must be 
● How a medical intervention such as a drug, device, or  filed with the FDA 
procedure moves from an idea into patient care.   PHASE 1 
1. DISCOVERY SCIENCE  ● Safety of the drug, pharmacokinetic profile + side 
- In the lab researchers use computer, cells and  effects 
animal models to answer basic questions, like  ● Dose escalation to est highest tolerated dose 
"How does DNA work?" and "How do cells talk to  ● 20-100 healthy volunteers 
each other?"   PHASE 2 
● Candidate is tested to est safety AND EFFICACY of the 
2. FIRST TRANSLATIONAL MOMENT. 
compound 
- translated into clinical research  
● 100-600 volunteers w disease state 
3. PHASE 1 CLINICAL TRIAL 
● Still pharmacokinetics but more interested if the drug 
- looking for answers with the help of volunteers. 
hast the effect we want on the disease + symptom 
Here, researchers answer questions about safety, 
optimal dose for sick patients 
and how well participants tolerate the medical 
PHASE 3  
intervention.  
● Same as phase 2 but 1000s of volunteers w disease 
- These trials don't include many volunteers and 
state all over the world 
they are short, usually only a few months long. 
● Key in est in labelling data that will accompany the drug 
4. PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL 
After that 
- "Is what I'm studying effective for patients with 
● New drug app to FDA, does not guarantee approval, 
this health condition? Any side effects? How does 
”approvable letter” (aadjust), denied 
it compare to a placebo?"  
Post market surveillance 
- usually done with a medium-sized group of 
● monitored and pharmaceutical companies often submit 
volunteers.  
long-term safety data to FDA 
- The studies can last for several months-years 
● Phase 4 - medwatch program 
- Common to end → no funding disappears, results 
 
inconclusive, int fails  
5. PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIALS  Brand Name Medications and Generics 
- set out to confirm the results of previous trials in  ● before a company can manufacture and market a 
a larger study.   generic drug in the United States it must submit an 
- how does it compare to other treatments? How  abbreviated new drug application or a NDA to the FDA  
effective is it with a lot more people?  ● This application includes data providing the generic 
- Need years to complete  product is both 
FDA Reviews  ○ ​pharmaceutically​ equivalents means that the generic 
drug contains the same drug compound as the 
 innovator drug as well as having the same strength  ○ Throw in trash 
same route of administration and same dosage form  ○ Scratch out prescription label 
○ bioequivalence​ the generic product must have the  ● Don’t give unwanted meds to friends 
same effect as the brand drug meaning that the  The 5 Rights of Medication Administration 
compound has same action in the body, in the same  I. Right Drug 
amt of time   - Read label on vial/bottle/packet before you give 
● Excipients - inactive ingredients in a drug product  meds 
[magkaiba sa generic n branded depending on  II. Right Patient 
manufacturing processes]  - Ask for medical identifiers name and bday 
○ Compound to bulk up tablets - lactose, starch,  III. Right Dose 
microcrystalline cellulose  - Appropriate for the med and pt 
○ Other excipients can help tablets disintegrate,  IV. Right Route 
provide flavoring and coloring  V. Right Time 
● narrow therapeutic index   ● Right documentation → side/adverse effects  
○ drug is only effective within a very small dosage  ● Appropriate assessment  
range too little = no effect, too much = harm  ● Evaluation → how pt is responding to the med 
● Be cautious in switching branded to generic of certain  ● Pt’s right to education 
NTI  ● Pt’s right to refusal 
● chemical compound is a chemical compound  ○ Informed consent, understands med what and why  
and as long as bioequivalence is assured   
brand and generic drugs should give the same results 
there may be good reason to  HOW 2 RMBR DRUG NAMES EASILY 
  -afil  PDE type V  vasodilation 
9 Ways to Medication Safety  inhibitors 
1. Know the name & purpose of your meds  -azepine  Dibenzazepines  Na channel bloc → 
2. Keep a list of your meds  antiepileptic agents 
3. Know how to take meds: follow drug label 
-azole  Antifungal  Imidazole / triazole 
Know when your last inj was given, how often you are 
given; inform dr/nurse at every visit  -azosin  A1 blockers  Direct vasodilators 
4. Don’t take more or less of your medications than 
prescribed  -bendazol Benzimidazole  Antihelminthic 
5. Don’t crush or break your meds [unless instructed]  e 
6. Know where to store your meds → don’t store under  -caine  Local anesthetics  esters/amides 
sunlight and heat; moisture; keep in cool and dry place, 
out of reach of children   -capone  COMT inhibitors   
7. Don’t use expired medications → dispose or bring to  -cillin  Penicillins  Gm + and few gm- 
pharmacy 
8. Don’t use someone else’s  -cycline  Tetracyclines  Antibacterials (inhibit 
9. Keep your doctor/pharmacist informed if u have  protein synthesis) 
● Allergies 
-dipine  Dihydropyridine  CaChannelBs that act 
● Side effects  directly on smooth muscle 
● Stopped your medication or if it looks diff in any 
way  -floxacin  Fluoroquinolones  Inhibit bacterial 
  topoisomerase / DNA repli 
Safe Medication Disposal   -formin  Biguanides  Reduces hepatic 
● Read labels, take them accdgly, store in safe place outta  gluconeogenesis 
reach of children, keep out of the hands of those who 
-giline  MAO B inhibitors  Inh metab of dopamine in 
might abuse them 
CNS (parkinson) 
● Safely dispose expired/damaged/no longer wanted 
meds  -glinide  Non-sulfonylureas   
○ Don’t get meds more than you need 
● Check label and packaging first for special instructions  -gliptin  DPP IV inhibitors  Inhib metab of incretins like 
GLP; inc insulin release 
[flush] 
● Dispose in take-back program/ pharma   -glitazone  PPAR gamma  Act on nuclear receptors → 
● Throw them in the trash at home  inhibitors  affect hepatic glucose 
○ Remove meds from original packaging and mix w  turnover: antiDM 
something undesirable → less appealing 
-gravir  Integrase inhibitors  Inhibit merging of viral DNA 
○ Seal the mixture in a bag, can or other container to  w host DNA 
prevent leakage