Introduction to Pharmacology

Pharmacology
The study of drugs (chemicals) that alter functions of living organisms. Used to prevent, diagnose or treat signs, symptoms and disease process Drugs dont often cure but work to relieve symptoms or alter disease course. Drugs in the form of vaccinations can prevent disease

Grouping and Naming of Drugs

Drugs are grouped according to their effects on body systems, therapeutic use and chemical characteristics.

Drug Classifications
The names of drug groups reflect their chemical characteristics rather than their therapeutic uses Throughout your nursing career you will be thinking in terms of drug classifications There may be more than one drug that can do the job

Drug Names
Generic name: related to the chemical or official name amoxicillin (the pink bubble gum medication given to millions of infants / children for otitis media or ear infection. Trade name - name given by the manufacturer
Amoxil, Trimox
Trade name capitalized Generic name in lower case

Cost
Trade name drugs are more expensive Generic name drugs less expensive
Alleve (OTC) medication is less expensive than Naproxen Chemical make-up is not quite identical

Prescription v Non prescription

Prescription drugs need to be prescribed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant OTC (over-the-counter) drug does not require a prescription Some of the drugs that used to be on prescription are now OTC

Ubat tiruan kian banyak di pasaran (Berita Harian, Jumaat 21 November 2003) Ipoh, Perak (Malaysia) Sejak beberapa tahun lalu, penjualan ubat tidak berdaftar dan tiruan terutama bagi merangsang tenaga batin yang mengunakan bahan kimia Sildenafil yang mengandungi racun berjadual telah meningkat. Ubat itu termasuk jenama Abang Boleh iaitu ubat tenaga batin dan pelbagai ubat penahan sakit, mungkin dibawa dari luar negara sebelum dipaketkan semula dan lebih serius lagi, ubat-ubat termasuk yang mengandungi steroid, antihistamine dan racun berjadual lain dijual di premis berlesen dan berdaftar termasuk farmasi tertentu, pasar malam, kaki lima dan rumah. Menurut Pengarah Kesihatan Negeri, individu yang mengimport, mengilang dan mengedar ubat tidak berdaftar boleh didenda sehingga RM25,000 atau tiga tahun penjara atau keduaduanya sekali.

BEBERAPA jenis produk yang dirampas Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia kerana tidak mendaftar ubat yang dijual kepada umum.

Organizations Involved in Regulation

Federal Drug Administration or FDA is charged with enforcing the law Public Health Services regulates vaccines Federal Trade Commission can suppress misleading advertisement of nonprescription drugs

Organizations Controlling Illicit Drugs

Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention (passed in 1970) regulates manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is charged with enforcement of Controlled Substance Act

DEA
Individuals and companies legally allowed to handle controlled substances must register with DEA, keep accurate records of all transactions, and provide secure storage of drugs Physicians assigned number by DEA and must put number on all prescriptions of controlled substance

Categories of Controlled Substance

Schedule I: not approved for medical use Schedule II: used medically but have high potential for abuse: Morphine, Demerol (IM or IV drugs) Schedule III: Less potential of abuse Tylenol with Codeine, Vicodin (po pain relief), Ritalin (ADD) Schedule IV: some potential for abuse appetite suppressants Schedule V: may be dispensed by pharmacist without a physician prescription

Schedule II Drugs
Higher level of abuse, addiction or risk in giving the drug Must be kept locked and signed out only by registered personal On the wards need key or code to gain access to medications narcotics for pain relief Prescription often needs to be written every 2 or three days no refills

Student Nurse and Controlled Drugs

In the clinical you will always administer medication with the clinical instructor Narcotics cannot be accessed by student must be done with instructor or registered nursing personal Specific hospital procedures and protocols need to be followed

Marketing of Drugs
A billion dollar industry New drugs are protected by patent for 14 years during which time only the pharmaceutical that has developed it can market it After the fourteen years drugs with similar chemical composition can be developed and sold as generic drugs cost less