Definition of Terms (Pharmacology)

PHARMACOLOGY
DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Pharmacology: Pharmacology is the science and study of drugs, including their
origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic uses, and
adverse effects. It comprises the understanding of how drug interact with biological
systems and how they are used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
 Drugs: Drugs are chemical substances that have a physiological effect when
introduced into the body. They can be used for various purposes, including the
treatment of medical conditions, pain relief, disease prevention, or altering
physiological processes. Drugs can be of natural e.g. derived from plants or synthetic
e.g. manufactured in a laboratory origin.
 Pharmacokinetics: Pharmacokinetics is the branch of pharmacology that focuses on

the study of how drug move into, through and out of the body. It involves the process
of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Pharmacokinetics
helps to determine factors such as drug dosage, frequency of administration, and drug
interactions.
 Pharmacogenetics: Pharmacogenetics is a specialized field within pharmacology and

genetics that examines how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response
to drugs. It seeks to understand how genetic variations can affect drug metabolism,
efficacy, and the risk of adverse reactions. This knowledge can guide personalized
medicine approaches.
 Pharmacodynamics: Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs exert their effects

on the body at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. It explores the
interactions between drugs and their target receptors or molecules, as well as the
mechanisms underlying drugs actions. Understanding pharmacodynamics is crucial
for optimizing drug theraphy.
 Idiosyncrasies: Idiosyncrasies, in the context of pharmacology, refer to unusual or

atypical reactions that some individuals may have to a drug. These reactions are not
necessarily related to the drug’s typical pharmacological effects or dose-dependent
responses, Idiosyncratic reactions can be unpredictable and may result from genetic
factors, immune responses. Idiosyncratic reactions can be unpredictable and may
result from genetic factors, immune responses or other individual specific
characteristics.
 Placebo: Is a substance, pill, or other treatment that appears to be a medical

intervention, but isn’t. e.g Lactose sugar, Normal saline, distilled water, small dose of
an innocuous substance such as vitamin
1
 Pharmacovigilance: Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating taro the
detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other
medicine/vaccine related problems.
 Toxicology: This is the scientific study of harmful or poisonous effect of the drugs in
the body, when given in an excessive amounts. Toxicology is also the study of doses
of drugs large enough to endanger life.
 Toxicity of drugs: This is the exhibition of unwanted drug reaction arising from drug
misuse or administration. This can be very fatal if not combated on time. For
example, Barbiturates can accumulate in the liver due to excessive intake, and liver
tissue damage.
 Hallucinogenic: This is the tendency of a drug to produce auditory and or visual

hallucinations.
 Tolerance: This is the tendency to increase drug dosage to experience same effect
formerly produced by a smaller dose or this is the progressive resistance created by
the body to a particular drug, in which normal dosage of a drug becomes ineffective
unless its dosage is increased. With tolerance, there’s the capacity to endure a poison
or drug which later becomes harmful when taken in excess.
 Side effects: The side effect which is otherwise known as adverse effect or unwanted
effect or unavoidable effect is the negative complaint presented by an individual after
the intake of normal dose of a prescribed drug.
 Dispensing: This is an aspect of pharmacy which involves the production of

mixtures, ointments and sterile preparations from their various constituents.
 Pharmacy: This is the scientific study of how drugs are presented in a form suitable
for administration to the patient.
 Pharmacists: These are personnel who are trained in and have a legal duty to enforce
the various laws governing the production, distribution, storage and dispensing of
medicine.
 Psychotomimetic: This is the ability of a drug to chemically induce symptoms of

psychosis.
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GENERIC (PHARMACEUTICAL) DRUG AND BRAND (TRADE) DRUG
Generic names of drugs

A generic drug (or simply generic) is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical
substance as a drug that was originally by chemical patents. Generic drugs are allowed for
sale after the patents on the original drug expire. Because the active chemical substance is the
same, the medical profile of generics is equivalent in performance at the time when they were
patented drugs. A generic drug has the active pharmaceutical ingredients as the original, but it
may differ in some characteristics such as the manufacturing process, formulation n,
excipients, color, taste, and packaging.
Examples:
Chemical name Generic name
1. 2-acetoxybenzoic acid Acetylsalicylic acid
2. 3-2 methoxyphenoxy propane Guaifenesin
Brand names of drugs
It can otherwise called proprietary name. This is the name given to a particular drugs by the
manufacturing or pharmaceutical company which manufactured the drugs. It is to be noted,
however, that all other drugs manufactured by other manufacturing companies apart from
those produced by the British Pharmacopeia are also given names and later recognized.
Examples are, Metronidazole (Flagyl), Paracetamol (Panadol), Cimetidine (Tegmet),
Magnesium trisilcate ( Jolosil).

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PHARMACOLOGY

 Pharmacokinetics: Pharmacokinetics is the branch of pharmacology that focuses on

 Pharmacogenetics: Pharmacogenetics is a specialized field within pharmacology and

 Pharmacodynamics: Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs exert their effects

 Idiosyncrasies: Idiosyncrasies, in the context of pharmacology, refer to unusual or

 Placebo: Is a substance, pill, or other treatment that appears to be a medical

 Hallucinogenic: This is the tendency of a drug to produce auditory and or visual

 Dispensing: This is an aspect of pharmacy which involves the production of

 Psychotomimetic: This is the ability of a drug to chemically induce symptoms of

Generic names of drugs

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