University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

267

Pages:

2
Author:

Mariam A. A.

BASICS OF PHARMACOLOGY Chloroquine • • The FDA-approved drug label for chloroquine (for malaria) states caution should be taken when administering treatment to G6PD deficient individuals due to the possibility of haematological effects G6PD deficiency: variants in the G6PD gene, can be determined by enzymatic or genetic tests History of pharmacology • • • Age of natural substances: initially therapeutic agents were plants and plant extracts e.g. traditional Chinese medicine in the east, and ancient Greek medicine in the West Synthetic agents: 20th cent. chem and chem tech developed rapidly → mass production of synthetic drugs Biotechnology: last decades – biotechnology → use of genetically modified microorganisms in production of human endogenous proteins/peptides (recombinantion of DNA tech) and gene therapy Digitalis glycosides • • Treat congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation. Digitalis glycosides inhibit sodium potassium ATPase, increasing intracellular sodium and stimulating sodium calcium exchange Net effect is a positive inotropic effect (an increase in the force of systolic contractions and a vagomimetic effect, which slows the heart rate Drug names • • • Chemical name: derived from its chemical structure (e.g. N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) – descriptive but usually long and difficult to remember/use Generic/non-proprietary name: give be developer, usually simplified chemical name e.g. paracetamol Brand/trade/proprietary name: registered and patented e.g. Panadol, Panamax o One drug can potentially have an unlimited number of brand name, brand names of same manufactures can vary from one country to another, brand names for very different drugs may sound similar e.g. Feldene and Teldene Therapeutic Goods Administration • • • Several Federal, State/Territory acts and regulations deal with drug control Address categorisation of drugs, licensing, general restrictions/conditions, prescribing, labelling, advertising, manufacturing, packaging, storage, supply and administration TGA is the main Commonwealth drug regulatory authority in Australia → maintains Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) – official list of approved drugs, remedies, supplements, medical devices e.g. 64 000 entries Listed medicines • • • Medicines manufactured for supply in Aus must be listed in ARTG (unless specifically excluded) Listed medicines: lower risk than registered medicines – majority of listed medicines are self-selected by consumers and used for self-treatment Assessed by the TGA for quality and safety but not efficacy Registered medicines • • • • Assessed as having a higher level of risk → must be registered (as opposed to listed) Degree of assessment they undergo is rigorous and detailed, manufactures are required to provide comprehensive safety, quality and efficacy data Can be non-prescriptive (low risk) and prescriptive (high risk) Complementary medicines (traditional/alternative) – can be listed or registered (depends on ingredients and claims made) → most are listed