Pharmacology Ch. 1

describing the chemical composition of a drug

more concise name given to the specific compound, usually listed as the active ingredient

unique name a manufacturer gives its particular brand of a drug

the amount of drug that is administered at one time to the patient

the general amount that any animal or patient should be given over time

description of its physical appearance or type; and often indicates by which method the drug is administered

ex. tablets, capsules, solutions, liniments

soft, chewable tablets in which the powdered drug is mixed with lactose, sucrose, or dextrose and a flavoring to encourage the patient to chew

ex. chewable vitamins and heartworm preventative

special covering over the powdered drug that protects the drug from the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and prevents dissolution of the tablet until it enters the more alkaline environment of the intestine

most commonly dispensed, powders compressed into a solid, binders, can be scored, if sealed in foil do not score

designed to release only small amounts of drug into the intestinal lumen over an extended period; should not be broken in half; shorter tract in animals therefore not as effective

are powdered drugs placed in a gelatin capsule; gelatin becomes soft and readily dissolves in the stomach releasing the powdered drug

are powdered drugs incorporated into a hard candy-like tablet; intended to be held in mouth and slowly dissolve, releasing small amounts of drug at a time; not used in veterinary medicine

dosage forms designed to be placed in the rectum, where they dissolve and release the drug to be absorbed across the membranes of the intestinal wall

drug completely dissolved in a liquid vehicle that does not settle out, or precipitate if left standing

contains drug particles that are suspended, but not dissolved, in the liquid vehicle; usually settle to the bottom of an undisturbed container; shake to be resuspended

suspension in which the drug is mixed with liquid fat or an oil

solutions in which the drug is dissolved in sugar water (85% sucrose); used to disguise the unpleasant taste

orally administered solutions of drug dissolved in alcohol; used for drugs that do not readily dissolve in water; strong taste makes it difficult to administer

alcohol solutions meant for application to the skin, ex. Iodine used as an antiseptic

application to the skin

drugs dissolved or suspended in an oil base and applied to the skin by rubbing

drug suspensions or solutions that are dabbed, brushed, or dipped onto the skin without rubbing; ex. poison ivy lotion

can be either suspensions or solutions and are designed to liquefy at body temperatures; spread more readily across

semisolid, orally administered dosage forms that tend to keep their semisolid form at body temperature; commonly packaged in large plastic syringes; ex. oral deworming

drugs suspended in a semisolid or jelly-like form, such as toothpaste

administered by a needle and syringe and are often referred to by the type of container in which they are supplied

small, airtight glass containers; the neck is broken to access the drug; meant to be used completely at one time because it cannot be resealed

glass bottles with rubber stoppers through which the drug can be withrawn multiple times; keep stopper clean; ex: antibiotic, anesthetics, and antiinflammatory drugs

glass bottles with rubber stoppers in which all the drug is used at one time; used with vaccines

forms of injectable drugs; formulated to prolong absorption of the drug from the site of administration and thus provide a more sustained, effective drug concentration in the body

form of repository; injected or inserted under the skin; designed to release or dissolve medication over an extended period

describes where the drug came from; therapeutic agent composed of specially prepared plant or animal parts rather than chemically synthesized

included with each container of drug sent to veterinarian; most up to date information on the drug

small booklets containing common drug doses or larger reference books; must have most current edition

Range from C I to C V; the higher the roman numeral to less potential for abuse of the drug and regulatory control

the drug itself; generic name

any preservatives, stabilizers, liquid media, or any additives that make up the dosage form

tells for what purpose the drug may be used

describe fairly rare adverse reactions or mild side effects; veterinarian must decide if the benefits of the drug outweigh the potential side effect

more serious or frequent side effects than those found in precautions; potentially life-threatening adverse reactions; can still be given if benefits outweigh the risk

circumstances in which the drug should not be used

drug being used in a manner other than that listed on the drug's label or listing

• 1. Chemical synthesis
• 2. Minerals
• 3. Plants
• 4. Animals

the study of drug dosage

science of preparing and dispensing medications

action and fate of drugs in the body

absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body

how we use drugs to treat diseases

the study of poisons

Rx; order to pharmacist written by physician, veterinarian, or dentist to prepare, affix label and sell

thicker compounds incorporating drug in water/oil mix; once on skin the water evaporates and left with oil and drug; not that common; ex. insecticidal cream

spray with propellants

drugs delivered through the patch on skin; ex. nitroglycerin and pain patches

by mouth through G.I. tract

not involving G.I. tract; includes injections, inhalation, and topical

• 1. Desired response: different routes= different responses
• 2. Properties of drug
• 3. Pathological state of patient
• 4. Always follow manufacturers directions

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994; allows extra-label use

extra label use; pharmacy mix to veterinarian's order

order from veterinarian to technician to dispense and distribute drug within practice

United States Pharmacopeia; organization that sets the standards for manufacture of drugs in the U.S.