Introduction Atropine/belladonna poisoning is a potentially dangerous and life-threatening condition caused by ingesting or coming into contact with the toxic compounds found in plants like deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and other related species. This article will explore the origins of atropine and belladonna, common causes of poisoning, symptoms to look out for, diagnosis, treatment options,…
Introduction Parasympatholytics, also known as anticholinergics, are a class of drugs that inhibit the actions of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on parasympathetic nerve endings. These drugs can be classified based on their mode of action and target sites. This article will delve into the classification of parasympatholytics, individual drug pharmacological actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, atropine…
Introduction Have you ever wondered about the drugs that counteract the effects of the sympathetic nervous system? Sympatholytics, also known as adrenergic antagonists, are one such class of drugs. This article will dive into the classification, pharmacological actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, and contraindications of different types of sympatholytic drugs. So, let’s get started! Sympatholytics…
Introduction Parasympathomimetics, also known as cholinergic agonists, are a class of drugs that act on the parasympathetic nervous system. They are used to treat a variety of medical conditions by stimulating the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in many physiological processes. This article explores the classification of parasympathomimetics, their individual pharmacological actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, and contraindications. Classification of Parasympathomimetics Parasympathomimetics are…
Sympathomimetics, also known as adrenergic agonists, are a group of drugs that mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. They activate the adrenergic receptors in the body and cause physiological responses similar to those of the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathomimetics are used in the treatment of various medical conditions such as asthma, hypotension, and…
Clinical pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that studies the clinical aspects of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. In this article, we will explore key concepts in clinical pharmacokinetics, including plasma half-life, bioavailability, clearance, steady-state concentration, loading dose, maintenance dose, Elimination Kinetics and therapeutic index (TI). Plasma Half-Life The plasma half-life is defined…
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can range from mild to severe and can occur at any stage of drug use, from initiation to long-term use. What Are Adverse Drug Reactions? ADRs are any harmful or unintended effects of medications that occur at doses used for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases. ADRs can occur due…
Introduction Drugs can interact in various ways, leading to changes in the way they work and potential side effects. Understanding these interactions is essential to ensure the safe and effective use of medications. In this page, we’ll explore pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions, additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects, as well as drug-food and drug-disease interactions. Pharmacokinetic…
Pharmacodynamics is a branch of pharmacology that focuses on the study of how drugs interact with the body at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels to produce their effects. It involves understanding the mechanisms of drug action (MOA), including drug-receptor interactions, signal transduction pathways, and the pharmacological effects of drugs. “What drug does to the…
Pharmacokinetics, derived from the Greek words ‘pharmakon’ meaning drug, and ‘kinesis’ meaning movement, is the science that elucidates what the body does to a drug following administration. Pharmacokinetics is the study of how drugs move through the body. It includes processes like absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), which determine how much of the drug…