Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 35 Basic Pharmacology

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 35

Basic Pharmacology


Drug Names

• Chemical name

• Generic name

• Trade or brand name

• History and sources of drugs


Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs

• Must comply with federal and state laws

• Laws govern manufacture, sale, possession, administration, dispensing, and prescribing of drugs



• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act– Protects public by ensuring purity, strength, and

composition of foods, drugs, and cosmetics

– Prohibits movement in interstate commerce of altered and misbranded food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics

– Enforced by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Regulates drugs with potential for abuse or addiction

– Controls manufacture, importation, compounding, selling, dealing in, and giving away of drugs that have potential for abuse

– Controlled substances



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)– Physician registration– Controlled substances Schedules I–V



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Storage of controlled substances

• Separation from other drugs

• Well-constructed metal box or compartment with double lock

• Record book

• Counted, verified, and recorded at end of workday



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Medical assistant’s role and responsibilities

• Monitor physician’s DEA registration renewal date

• Maintain legally designated records and inventories of drugs

• Provide security for all drugs, in particular controlled substances



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Medical assistant’s role and responsibilities

• Provide security for prescription pads

• Properly destroy expired drugs and document it

• Know and understand federal and state laws that regulate drugs, including controlled substances



• Prescription drugs (legend drugs)– E-prescribing

• Nonprescription drugs– Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and herbals

– Accessibility to public



• Proper disposal of drugs– Expired drugs could be harmful

• Administer, prescribe, dispense


Drug References and Standards

• U.S. Pharmacopeia/National Formulary– Lists drugs certified as meeting established standards of

quality, purity, and potency

• Council on Pharmacy of the American Medical Association– Annually publishes list of new drugs



• Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)– Published annually by Thomson Healthcare in

cooperation with pharmaceutical companies

– Sections of drug information

– How to use the PDR



• Other reference sources– Other drug reference books

– Packet insert that comes in drug package

– Pharmacists

– Reliable online sources


Classification of Drugs

• Drugs can be classified many ways

• Examples– Drugs that treat or prevent disease

– Drugs that act on specific body systems or organs

• See Table 35-1 for a listing of common drug classifications


Principle Actions of Drugs

• Local action

• Remote action

• Systemic action

• Synergistic action



• Factors that affect drug action– Absorption

– Distribution

– Biotransformation

– Elimination



• Undesirable actions of drugs– Side effects

– Drug interaction

– Adverse reactions


Drug Routes

• Oral

• Parenteral

• Direct application to skin

• Sublingual

• Buccal


Drug Routes

• Rectal

• Vaginal

• Inhalation

• Instillation


Forms of Drugs

• Liquid preparations• Solid and semisolid

preparations >>


Forms of Drugs

• Other drug delivery systems– Transdermal system

– Eye-curing lens

– Implantable devices


Storage and Handling of Medications

• Original containers

• Darkness

• Refrigeration

• Glass containers



• Consult drug label for storage

• Organization



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Emergency Drugs and Supplies

• Crash cart

• Emergency drugs

• Emergency equipment


Drug Abuse

• Recognizing symptoms of drug abuse

• Drug abuse programs

• Examples of drug types commonly abused


Drug Abuse

• Effects of drug abuse

• Prevention programs

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Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 35 Basic Pharmacology