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Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine concerned with the discovery, development, and effects of drugs. It includes understanding how medications interact with biological systems, their therapeutic uses, and their potential risks.
Sub-categories:

Clinical pharmacology focuses on the application of pharmacological principles and methods in the medical clinic, optimizing drug therapy for improved patient care.

Pharmacokinetics explores how the body affects a specific drug after administration, including the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.

Pharmacodynamics examines the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body, including the mechanisms of drug action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect.

Toxicology involves studying the adverse effects of chemicals, including drugs, on living organisms, and the assessment of the risk of harmful exposure.

Pharmaceutical chemistry focuses on the chemical aspects of drug design and development, highlighting the synthesis and properties of pharmaceutical agents.

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual’s genetics affects their response to drugs, aiming to optimize drug therapy and reduce adverse effects.

Neuropharmacology studies the effects of drugs on the nervous system, including the brain, to discover treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions.

Psychopharmacology focuses on the use of medications to treat mental health disorders, examining how drugs affect mood, perception, thinking, and behavior.

Cardiovascular pharmacology involves the study of drugs that affect the heart and blood vessels, providing treatments for conditions like hypertension and heart failure.

Endocrine pharmacology studies the drugs affecting the endocrine system, including hormones and treatments for diabetes and thyroid disorders.

Chemotherapy deals with the use of drugs to treat cancer by targeting and eliminating cancerous cells within the body.

Immunopharmacology examines drugs that modulate immune responses, offering insights for developing vaccines and treatments for immune-related disorders.

Molecular pharmacology studies drug actions at a molecular level, helping to identify cellular targets for the development of new therapeutic agents.

Pediatric pharmacology is the study of drug effects in children, from neonates to adolescents, focusing on age-appropriate medication dosing and safety.

Geriatric pharmacology studies the effects of drugs in the elderly, emphasizing the pharmacological challenges and adaptations required in this population.

Pharmacy practice emphasizes the application of pharmacology principles in the dispensing of medication, patient counseling, and healthcare services in a pharmacy setting.