chapter 8: drugs

Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter 8: Drugs


Chapter Objectives The difference between over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Potential adverse side effects of drugs. Interaction between drugs. The generic name and the trade name of a drug. Drug references. Word parts pertaining to drugs. Major categories of drugs and how they act. Common herbal medicines, how they act, issues involved in their use. Common routes of drug administration. Standard forms in which liquid and solid drugs are prepared. Abbreviations related to drugs and their use.


Key Termsanaphylaxis An extreme allergic reaction that can lead to respiratory distress,

circulatory collapse, and deathantagonist A substance that interferes with or opposes the action of a drug

brand name The trade or proprietary name of a drug, a registered trademark of the manufacturer; written with an initial capital letter

contraindication A factor that makes the use of a drug undesirable or dangerous

drug A substance that alters body function

efficacy The power to produce a specific result; effectiveness

generic name The nonproprietary name of a drug; that is, a name that is not privately owned or trademarked; usually a simplified version of the chemical name; not capitalized

phytomedicine Another name for herbal medicine


Key Terms (cont’d)potentiation Increased potency created by two drugs acting togetherprescription (Rx) Written and signed order for a drug with directions for its administrationside effect A result of drug therapy or other therapy that is unrelated to or an

extension of its intended effect. The term usually applies to an undesirable effect of treatment.

substance dependence

A condition that may result from chronic use of a drug, in which a person has a chronic or compulsive need for a drug regardless of its adverse effects; dependence may be psychological or physical

synergy Combined action of two or more drugs working together to produce an effect greater than any of the drugs could produce when acting alone; also called synergism (SIN-er-jizm); adj. synergistic (sin-er-JIS-tik)

tolerance A condition in which chronic use of a drug results in loss of effectiveness and the dose must be increased to produce the original response

withdrawal A condition that results from cessation or reduction of a drug that has been used regularly


AbbreviationsDrugs and Drug Formulations

APAP Acetaminophen

ASA Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

ASHP American Society of Health System Pharmacists

cap Capsule

elix Elixir

FDA Food and Drug Administration

INH Isoniazid (antituberculosis drug)

MED(s) Medicine(s), medication(s)

NSAID(s) Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug(s)

ODS Office of Dietary Supplements

OTC Over-the-counter


AbbreviationsDrugs and Drug Formulations (cont’d)

PDR Physicians' Desk Reference

Rx Prescription

supp Suppository

susp Suspension

tab Tablet

tinct Tincture

ung Ointment

USP United States Pharmacopeia


AbbreviationsDosages and Directions

ā Before (Latin, ante)

āā Of each (Greek, ana)

ac Before meals (Latin, ante cibum)

ad lib As desired (Latin, ad libitum)

aq Water (Latin, aqua)

bid Twice a day (Latin, bis in die)

c With (Latin, cum)

D/C, dc Discontinue

DS Double strength

gt(t) Drop(s) (Latin, gutta)


Abbreviations Dosages and Directions (cont’d)

hs At bedtime (Latin, hora somni)

ID Intradermal(ly)

IM Intramuscular(ly)

IU International unit

IV Intravenous(ly)

LA Long-acting

mcg Microgram

mg Milligram

mL Milliliter

p After, post


AbbreviationsDosages and Directions (cont’d)

pc After meals (Latin, post cibum)

po By mouth (Latin, per os)

pp Postprandial (after a meal)

prn As needed (Latin, pro re nata)

qam Every morning (Latin, quaque ante meridiem)

qh Every hour (Latin, quaque hora)

q ____ h Every ____ hours

qid Four times a day (Latin, quater in die)


AbbreviationsDosages and Directions (cont’d)

S Without (Latin, sine)

SA Sustained action

SC, SQ, subcu Subcutaneous(ly)

SL Sublingual(ly)

SR Sustained release

SS Half (Latin, semis)

tid Three times per day (Latin, ter in die)

x Times


Drugs• Substance that alters body function• Derived from:

– Natural plants – Animals– Mineral sources– Synthetic material– Genetic engineering

• Obtained OTC or by prescription• FDA regulates


Word Parts Pertaining to Drugs Meaning Example Definition of ExampleSuffixes -lytic dissolving,

reducing, loosening

thrombolytic agent that dissolves a blood clot (thrombus)

-mimetic mimicking, simulating

sympatho-mimetic mimicking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system

-tropic acting on psychotropic acting on the mind (psych/o)

Prefixes anti- against antiemetic drug that prevents

vomiting (emesis)


Word Parts Pertaining to Drugs (cont’d)

Meaning Example Definition of ExamplePrefixes contra- against, oppose contraceptive preventing conception

counter- opposite, against countertransport movement in an opposite direction

Roots alg/o, algi/o, algesi/o

pain algesia sense of pain

chem/o chemical chemotherapy treatment with drugs


Word Parts Pertaining to Drugs (cont’d) Meaning Example Definition of Examplehypn/o sleep hypnosis induced state of sleepnarc/o stupor narcotic agent that induces a state

of stupor with decreased sensation

pharm, pharmac/o

drug, medicine pharmacy the science of preparing and dispensing drugs, or the place where these activities occur

pyr/o, pyret/o fever antipyretic counteracting fever

tox/o, toxic/o poison, toxin toxicity state of being poisonous

vas/o vessel vasodilation widening of a vessel


Adverse Drug Effects• Sometimes have effects not intended:

– Side effects, usually minor– Anaphylaxis = severe allergic reaction

• May not be used even if normally beneficial:– Contraindications = reasons not to use based on specific info

about individual– Synergy or antagonist drugs reacting with /against each other

• Sometimes cause substance dependence or tolerance


Drug Names

• Generic– Simple version of chemical name for drug– Not capitalized

• Brand name– Registered trademark of manufacturer– Same drug by different companies have different trade

names– Begins with capital letter


Drug Information• Four sources:

– United States Pharmacopeia

• Published by national committee of pharmacologists• Contains standards for:

• Testing drug strength• Testing drug quality• Testing drug purity• Preparation of drugs• Dispensing of drugs


Drug Information (cont’d)

– American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP)– Physician’s Desk Reference

• Information supplied by drug manufacturers– Pharmacist


Herbal Medicines

• Use of plants to treat disease• Technical term for herbal medicine: phytomedicine

• Ongoing issues:– Purity– Safety– Concentration– Efficacy (effectiveness)– Drug interactions


Herbal Medicines (cont’d)

• No FDA testing or regulation• Office of Dietary Support supports and coordinates

research


Pretest

1. The federal agency that approves drugs for sale is the:(a) Food and Drug Administration(b) US Department of Agriculture(c) Department of Health and Human Services (d) Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Pretest

2. A reason for not using a specific drug is:(a) prescription (b) prognosis (c) counterpurpose (d) contraindication


Pretest

3. A manufacturer’s registered name for a drug is its:(a) chemical name(b) generic name (c) brand name (d) over the counter name


Pretest

4. A written and signed order for a drug is a(n):(a) license (b) prescription (c) indication (d) therapy


Pretest

5. The word root for drug or medicine is:(a) pharm (b) scop (c) log (d) lapar


Pretest

6. An analgesic is a drug used for:(a) fractures (b) water retention (c) coma (d) pain


Pretest

7. An antihypertensive drug affects: (a) blood pressure (b) diet (c) growth (d) ovulation


Pretest

8. The solvent in an aqueous solution is: (a) acid (b) water (c) salt (d) base


Pretest

9. The abbreviation IV means: (a) inverted (b) introverted (c) intravenous (d) inviable


Pretest

10. The abbreviation prn means: (a) as needed (b) once a day(c) each night (d) before meals

chapter 8: drugs

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