Pharmacology

Pharmacology (in s.

Development of medication is a vital concern to medicine, but also has strong economical and political implications. To protect the consumer and prevent abuse, many governments regulate the manufacture, sale, and administration of medication. In the United States, the main regulatory body is the Food and Drug Administration through its publication of the United States Pharmacopoeia.

Pharmacology as a science is practiced by pharmacologists. Studies can include theoretical pharmacology, in contrast to Clinical pharmacology, - the medical field of pharmacology.

=Scientific background=

The study of medicinal chemicals requires intimate knowledge of the biological system affected. With the knowledge of cell biology and biochemistry increasing, the field of pharmacology has also changed substantially. It has become possible, through molecular analysis of enzymes, to design chemicals that act on specific metabolic pathways.

A chemical has, from the pharmacological point-of-view, various properties. Pharmacokinetics is its fate (e.g. its half-life and volume of distribution) in the organism, and pharmacodynamics is its mode of action and potential toxicity.

When describing the pharmacokinetic properties of a chemical, a pharmacologist employs the ADME principle:

Absorption - How is the medication absorbed (through the skin, the intestine, the oral mucosa)

Distribution - How does it spread through the organism

Drug metabolism - Is the medication converted chemically, and into which substances. Are these active Could they be toxic

Excretion - How is the medication eliminated (through the bile, urine, skin)

Medication is said to have a narrow or wide therapeutic margin or therapeutic window . Those with a narrow window are more difficult to dose and administer, and may require therapeutic drug monitoring (examples are warfarin, some antiepileptics, aminoglycoside antibiotics).

=Classification=

Medication can be usually classified in various ways, e.g. by its chemical properties, mode of administration, or biological system affected. An elaborate and widely used classification system is the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.

=Types of medication=

==For the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system==

Upper digestive tract: antacids, reflux suppressants, antiflatulents, antidopaminergics, proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, cytoprotectants, prostaglandin analogues

Lower digestive tract: laxatives, antispasmodics, antidiarrhoeals, bile acid sequestrants, opioids

==For the cardiovascular system==

General: beta-receptor blocker, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmics, nitrate, antianginals, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator, peripheral activator

Affecting

Coagulation: anticoagulant, heparin, antiplatelet drug, fibrinolytic, Factor VIII, haemostatic drugs

Atherosclerosis/cholesterol agents: hypolipidaemic agents, statins.

==For the central nervous system==

hypnotic, anaesthetics, antipsychotic, antidepressant (including tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, lithium salt, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), anti-emetic, anticonvulsant and antiepileptic, anxiolytic, barbiturate, movement disorder drug, stimulant (including amphetamine), benzodiazepine, cyclopyrrolone, dopamine antagonist, antihistamine, cholinergic, anticholinergic, emetic, cannabinoids, 5-HT antagonist

==For pain & consciousness (Anaesthetic drugs)==

analgesics (includes acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioids), local anesthetics, general anaesthetics, sedatives, migraine treatment drug

==For Muscular system-Skeleton disorders==

NSAIDs (including COX-2 selective inhibitors), muscle relaxant, neuromuscular drug anticholinesterase

==For the eye==

*General: adrenergic neurone blocker, astringent, ocular lubricant *Diagnostic: anesthetics, sympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, mydriatics, cycloplegics *Anti-bacterial: antibiotics, topical antibiotics, sulfa drugs, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones *Anti-viral: *Anti-fungal: imidazoles, polyenes *Anti-inflammatory: NSAIDs, corticosteroids *Anti-allergy: mast cell *Anti-glaucoma: adrenergic agonists, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors/hyperosmotics, cholinergics, miotics, parasympathomimetics, prostaglandin agonists/prostaglandin inhibitors. nitroglycerin

==For the ear, nose and oropharynx==

sympathomimetic, antihistamine, anticholinergic, NSAIDs, steroid, antiseptic, local anesthetic, antifungal, cerumenolytic

==For the respiratory system==

bronchodilator, NSAIDs, anti-allergic, antitussive, mucolytic, decongestantcorticosteroid, beta-receptor antagonist, anticholinergic, steroid

==For endocrine problems==

androgen, antiandrogen, gonadotropin, corticosteroid, growth hormone, insulin, antidiabetic (sulfonylurea, biguanide/metformin, thiazolidinedione, insulin), thyroid hormones, antithyroid drugs, calcitonin, diphosponate, vasopressin analogues

==For the reproductive system or urinary system==

antifungal, alkalising agent, quinolones, antibiotic, cholinergic, anticholinergic, anticholinesterase, antispasmodic, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, selective alpha-1 blocker, sildenafil

==For contraception==

contraceptive, oral contraceptives, spermicide, depot contraceptives

==For obstetrics and gynaecology==

NSAIDs, anticholinergic, haemostatic drug, antifibrinolytic, Hormone Replacement Therapy, bone regulator, beta-receptor agonist, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, LHRH gamolenic acid, gonadotropin release inhibitor, progestogen, dopamine agonist, estrogen, prostaglandin, gonadorelin, clomiphene, tamoxifen, Diethylstilbestrol

==For the skin==

emollient, antipruritic, antifungal, disinfectant, scabicide, pediculicide, tar products, vitamin A derivatives, vitamin D analogue, keratolytic, abrasive, systemic antibiotic, topical antibiotic, hormone, desloughing agent, exudate absorbent, fibrinolytic, proteolytic, sunscreen, antiperspirant, corticosteroid

==For infections and infestations==

antibiotic, antifungal, antileprotic, antituberculous drug, antimalarial, anthelmintic, amoebicide, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antiserum

==For immunology==

vaccine, immunoglobulin, immunosuppressant, interferon, monoclonal antibody

==For Allergy disorders==

anti-allergic, antihistamine, NSAIDs

==For nutrition==

tonic (medicine), iron preparation, electrolyte, parenteral nutritional supplement, vitamins, anti-obesity drug, anabolic drug, haematopoietic drug, food product drug

==For neoplastic disorders==

cytotoxic drug, sex hormones, aromatase inhibitor, somatostatin inhibitor, recombinant interleukins, Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, erythropoietin

==For diagnostics==

contrast media

==For euthanasia==

A euthanaticum is used for euthanasia, see also Barbiturate#Other_non-therapeutical_use.

=External links=

[http://www.ich.org/ International Conference on Harmonisation]

[http://www.usp.org US Pharmocopea]

[http://www.davabazaar.co.in Davabazaar.co.in]

=See also=

*Cosmeceuticals *Drug design *List of withdrawn drugs *Medicinal chemistry *Pharmaceutical company *Psychopharmacology - medication for mental conditions *Medicare Part D - the new prescription drug plan in the U.S.