Pharmacology related terms
Pharmacology is the science that embraces the knowledge of the history, source, physical and chemical properties, compounding, biochemical and physiological effects, mechanism of action, absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion of drugs. It is also defined as an experimental science dealing with the properties of drugs and their effects on living system.
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics is the study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanism of action. It is the response of the organism to the action of a drug in the absence of a disease. Pharmacodynamics is ‘what the drug does to the body’.
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics is the study of the actions of the drugs in the body over a defined period of time. It deals with the absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion of the drug. Pharmacokinetics is ‘what the body does to the drug’.
Pharmacometrics
Pharmacometrics is the study of the techniques used in the measurement of drug effects to the administered dose of drug.
Pharmacogenetics
Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetically determined variations in animals that are revealed by the effect of drugs.
Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacogenomics This term describes the use of genetic information to guide the choice of drug therapy on an individual basis.
Pharmacoepidemiology
Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of drug effects at the population level. It is concerned with the variability of drug effects between individuals in a population and between populations.
Pharmacoeconomics
Pharmacoeconomics aims to quantify in economic terms the cost and benefit of drugs used therapeutically.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the science that deals with the preparation, formulation, manufacture, standardization, preservation and dispensing of drugs. The term pharmacy also indicates the place where drugs are dispensed or sold.
Pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy is the study of the source of drugs. It also deals with the physical and chemical properties of drugs.
Materia medica
Materia medica is an obsolete didactic subject that was concerned with pharmacy, posology, pharmacognosy and indications for therapeutic use of the drug.
Metrology
Metrology is the study of weights and measures as applied to the preparation and administration of drugs.
Chronopharmacology
Chronopharmacology is the sudy of how the effects of drugs vary with biological timing and endogenous periodicities.
Pharmacovigilance
Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem.
Pharmacoepidemiology
Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use of and the effects of drugs in large numbers of people.
Drug related terms
Drug is any chemical agent except food that is used to promote or safeguard the health of human beings or animals. It is also defined as any substance or product that is used or intended, to be used to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient. The word drug is derived from a French word ‘Drogue’ meaning a dry herb.
Over the counter drugs
Over the counter drugs are those preparations that can be sold without any prescription because they can be adequately labeled for layman use.
Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs are drugs that can be used only on the order of a licensed veterinarian/physician/dentist/surgeon based on a prescription. They are also known as legend drugs.
Essential drugs
Essential drugs are agents that satisfy the healthcare needs of majority of the population. They should therefore be available at all times in adequate amounts and in appropriate dosage form.
Pro-drugs
Pro-drugs are drugs that are inactive or have a low order of activity in the form administered and are metabolised to the active form in the body.
Hard drugs
Hard drugs are drugs used for non-medical purposes that are liable to disable the individual seriously as a functioning member of the society by inducing severe psychological and/or physical dependence. eg. Heroin
Soft drugs
Soft drugs are drugs used for non-medical purposes that are less dependence producing. There may be psychological dependence but not physical dependence, except with heavy dose. eg. Amphetamine.
Nootropic drugs
Nootropic drugs are drugs that affect the intellect. These drugs are claimed to enhance learning, increase brain resistance to stress including hypoxia and stimulate brain metabolism especially in senile patients. eg. Piracetam
Orphan drugs
Orphan drugs are drugs or biological products useful for diagnosis/treatment/prevention of a rare disease condition for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and marketing it will be recovered from the sales of that drug. Eg. Acetylcysteine. These drugs may be life saving for some patients, but are not commercially available.
Placebo
Placebo is a vehicle for cure by suggestion and is surprisingly often successful though only temporarily. It can be used as a control in scientific evaluation of drugs and to benefit or please a patient not by pharmacological actions but by psychological means (Latin: Placebo – I shall be pleasing or acceptable). Placebo reactor is an individual who report changes of physical and mental state after taking a pharmacologically inert substance.
Dose related terms
Posology
Posology is the study of the medicine dosages, which varies with the species of animals, the intended effect of the drug and the individual tolerance or susceptibility.