INTRODUCTION TO NURSING PHARMACOLOGY

A. INTRODUCTION
TO DRUGS
The human body works through
a complicated series of chemical
reactions and processes.
Drugs are chemicals that are
introduced into the body to cause
some sort of change.
Understanding how drugs act on
the body to cause changes and
applying that knowledge in the
clinical setting are important
aspects of nursing practice.

2
NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES IN DRUG
THERAPY

 Administering drugs
 Assessing drug effects
 Intervening to make the drug regimen more tolerable
 Providing patient teaching about drugs and drug regimen.
 Monitoring the overall patient care plan to prevent medication
error

3
B. HISTORY
•Early drug – plants, animals &
minerals
•2700 BC – earliest recorded drug
use found in Middle East & China
•1550 BC – Egyptians created
Ebers Medical Papyrus
 Castor oil – laxative
 Opium – pain
 Moldy bread – wounds &
bruises

4
•Galen (131-201 AD) Roman
physician; initiated common use of
prescriptions
•1240 AD – introduction of
apothecary (pharmacy) system (Arab
doctors)
•1st set of drug standards &
measurements (grains, drams,
minims), currently being phased out
•15th century – apothecary shops
owned by barber, surgeons,
physicians, independent merchants
•18th century – small pox vaccine
(by Eward Jenner, British Doctor)

oDigitalis from foxglove plant for

strengthening & slowing of
heartbeat
oVitamin C from fruits

B. HISTORY 5
C. PHARMACOLOGY
Is the study of the biological
effects of chemicals.

It is the scientific study of the

origin, nature, chemistry, effects
and uses of drugs.

In clinical practice, health care

providers focus on how
chemicals act on living
organisms

6
SUBDIVISIONS OF PHARMACOLOGY

1. Pharmacodynamics 2. Pharmacokinetics 3. Pharmacotherapeutics

 study of the biochemical &  deals with the absorption,  study of drugs used in the
physiological effects of drugs distribution, diagnosis, prevention,
& mechanisms of action. biotransformation & suppression, & treatment of
excretion of drugs diseases
 deals with beneficial effects
 what the drug does to the
of the drugs (medicines)
body  what the body does to the
drug

SAMPLE FOOTER TEXT 7

SUBDIVISIONS OF PHARMACOLOGY

4. Pharmacognosy 5. Toxicology

 study of drugs in their  study of biologic toxins:

original unaltered state; study of poison & its effects
origin of drugs deals with deleterious effects
of physical & chemical agents
 source of drugs
(including drugs) in human
o ex: penicillin from penicillium
(fungi)

SAMPLE FOOTER TEXT 8

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Addresses two key concerns:


 The drug’s effects on the body
 The body’s response to the drug

9
EFFECTS OF THE DRUG

Therapeutic Effect • The primary effect intended, that is the reason the drug is prescribed.
• Also called desired effect.

Side Effect • The effect of the drug that is not intended.

• Also called secondary effect.

Drug Allergy • The immunologic reaction to the drug.

Anaphylactic Reaction • A severe allergic reaction which usually occurs immediately following administration of the drug.

Drug Tolerance • A decreased physiologic response to the repeated administration of a drug or chemically related substance.
Excessive increase in the dosage is required in order to maintain the desired therapeutic effect.

Drug Interaction • Effects of one drug are modified by the prior or concurrent administration of another drug, thereby increases
or decreases the pharmacological action.

THE DRUG'S EFFECTS TO THE BODY 10

DRUG INTERACTION

Drug Antagonism • the conjoint effects of two drugs is less than the drugs acting
separately.

Summation • The combined effect of two drugs produces a result that

equals the sum of the individual effect of each agent.

Synergism • The combined effects of drugs is greater than the sum of

each individual agent acting independently.

Potentiation • The concurrent administration of two drugs in which one

increases the effect of the other drug.

THE DRUG'S EFFECTS TO THE BODY 11

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF DRUGS

Palliative • Relieves the symptoms of a disease but not affect the disease itself.
• Ex. Analgesic for pain

Curative • Treats the disease condition

• Ex. Antibiotic for infection

Supportive •Sustains body functions until other treatment of the body’s response can take over.
•Ex Mannitol to reduce/ICP in a client for surgery due to brain tumor.

Substitutive •Replaces body fluids or substances.

•Ex. insulin injection for diabetes mellitus

Chemotherapeutic • Destroys malignant cells

• Ex. Cyclophophamide for cancer of the prostate gland

Restorative • Returns the body to health.

EFFECTS OF THE DRUG 12

D. DRUG
NOMENCLATURE
 CHEMICAL NAME
 atomic/molecular structure of drug
 Ex. acetylsalicylic acid
 GENERIC NAME
 original designation given to the drug
when the drug company applies for
approval patents or registration
 universally accepted & used in all
countries
 protected by law
 ex. Aspirin
 TRADE/BRAND NAME
 name given by the drug company that
developed it
 ex. Aspilet

13
E. DRUG
CLASSIFICATION
Therapeutic use or clinical
indications
o Ex. Antacids,
antibiotics,
antihypertensive,
diuretics, or laxatives.
Physiologic or chemical action
o Anticholinergic, beta-
adrenergic blockers,
calcium channel blockers
and cholinergics

14
F. FURTHER
CLASSIFICATION OF
DRUGS
•Prescription Drugs
o Also known as legend drugs
o can be dispensed if with prescription
order; with specific name of drug &
dosage regimen to be used by patient.

•Non-Prescription Drugs
o Also known as Over – the – Counter
Drugs
o can be dispensed without prescription
order
o for self treatment of variety of
complaints
o vitamin supplements, cold/cough
remedies, analgesics, antacids, herbal
products

15
F. FURTHER
CLASSIFICATION OF
DRUGS

• Investigational drug
 new drugs undergoing clinical
trails

• Illicit/street drug
 used/distributed illegally for
non-medical purposes to alter
mood of feeling

16
PHILIPPINE DRUG STANDARD

 - The Philippine drug standards ensure quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical
products

 - Regulations protect public health by overseeing manufacturing, distribution, and drug use

 - The Philippine FDA, under the Department of Health, establishes and enforces these
standards

 - Responsibilities include product registration, facility inspections, and market drug quality
monitoring

 - Standards cover formulation, labeling, packaging, and advertising of pharmaceutical

products

 - Aligned with international guidelines to meet quality and safety requirements

 - Government regulates pricing and accessibility of essential drugs for affordability and
availability
 - Adherence to drug standards crucial for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare
professionals, and consumers

17