✅ Quick Summary – Chapter 1: Introduction to Pharmacology 📌 1. Definition of Pharmacology Study of drugs and their effects on the body. Includes what drugs do to the body (pharmacodynamics) and what the body does to the drugs (pharmacokinetics). 📌 2. Branches of Pharmacology Basic Pharmacology: Studies drugs in labs (animals, tissues). Clinical Pharmacology: Studies drugs in humans for diagnosis/treatment. 📌 3. Drug vs Medicine Drug: Any chemical that affects body functions. Medicine: Drug prepared in a usable form (tablet, injection, etc.). 📌 4. Key Terminologies Pharmacokinetics = ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) Pharmacodynamics = Drug’s action on the body Bioavailability = Amount of drug that reaches bloodstream Half-life = Time for drug level to reduce by half Efficacy = Maximum effect a drug can produce Potency = Amount needed to produce an effect 📌 5. Drug Purposes Therapeutic: To treat illness (e.g., insulin for diabetes) Prophylactic: To prevent illness (e.g., vaccines) Diagnostic: To identify disease (e.g., dye in CT scans 📌 6. Sources of Drugs Plants: Digitalis, Opium Animals: Insulin Minerals: Iron Synthetic: Paracetamol Chance discoveries: Penicillin 📌 7. Drug Distribution Systems (in hospitals) 1. Individual prescription – Patient brings their own drugs 2. Floor stock – Common drugs kept in wards 3. Combination – Mix of both systems 4. Unit dose – Each dose packaged and given separately 👉 Best practice: Unit dose = safest and most accurate 📌 8. 7 Rights of Medication Administration 1. Right patient 2. Right drug 3. Right dose 4. Right route 5. Right time 6. Right frequency 7. Right documentation 👉 Used to prevent medication errors 📌 9. Drug Information Resources Primary: Original research (journals, trials) Secondary: Indexing databases (PubMed) Tertiary: Books, websites (e.g., Drugs.com, handbooks) 📌 10. Factors Affecting Drug Absorption Dosage form (liquids faster than tablets) Lipid solubility (fat-soluble drugs absorb better) pH & ionization (non-ionized drugs absorb better) Surface area, blood flow, food, and GI motility also affect absorption. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaQtLlE7T8bXNQQk8i1t