Medical Pharmacology

DURGE RAJ GHALAN

Department of Pharmacology,

Sun Yat-sen University School of Medicine

Chapter I Introduction

Definitions

1) Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

2) Drugs

What is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology can be defined as the study of

substances (drugs) that interact with living systems

(body) through chemical processes, especially by

binding to regulatory molecules and activating or

inhibiting normal body processes.

Drug-Body Interactions

The interactions between a drug and the body

are conveniently divided into two classes.

Pharmacodynamics: the actions of the drug on

the body are termed pharmacodynamic processes.

Pharmacokinetics: the actions of the body on the

drug are called pharmacokinetic processes.

A drug may be defined as any

chemical substance that brings

about a change in biologic

function through its chemical

actions, is used to prevent,

diagnose, and treat diseases.

What are drugs?

Poisons are chemicals that do

harm to the body in small dose.

For example: Toxins like

pertussis toxin, cholera toxin

are poisons of biologic origin,

in contrast to inorganic poisons

such as lead and arsenic.

What are poisons?

What is the relationship between drugs and poisons?

Similarity: they are all chemicals.

Difference: dosage

Drugs poisons

Food provides life essential to

the body, such as carbohydrates,

proteins, lipids, vitamins, and

trace elements.

FDA: Food and Drug Administration

What is food?

Reference books:

1. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 10th edition, edited by Professor Bertram G. Katzung, MD, PhD and published by Lange Medical Books

2. Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 10th edition (McGraw-Hill,2001)