Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of medicinal substances called
pharmaceuticals. The field encompasses drug composition, drug properties, interactions,
toxicology, and desirable effects that can be used in
therapy of
diseases.
Greek :
pharmacon—drug,
logos—science.
Medication drugs have to be approved by
drug regulatory authorities such as the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration. This field is called regulatory affairs. The
International Conference on Harmonisation works in the standardisation for this.
Pharmaceuticals may be provided in a number of different pharmacological forms. Probably the most familiar are pills, in
tablet and
capsule form.
There are various classification systems for
medicinal products including the
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.
Classes of medicinal products
\nFor the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system
\nantacid, reflux suppressant, antiflatulent, antidopaminergic, antispasmodic, proton pump inhibitor, H2 antagonists, cytoprotectant, prostaglandin analogue, laxative, antidiarrhoeal, bile acid sequestrants, opioid
For the cardiovascular system
\nACE inhibitor, cardiac glycoside, phosphodiesterase inhibitor, nitrate, antianginal, antiarrhythmic, angiotensin receptor blocker, alpha blocker, beta-receptor blocker, calcium channel blocker, antihypertensive, diuretic, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator, peripheral activator, anticoagulant, heparin, antiplatelet drug, fibrinolytic, anti-hemophilic factor, haemostatic drugs, hypolipidaemic agent, statin.
For the central nervous system
\nhypnotic, anaesthetics, antipsychotic, antidepressant (including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, lithium salt, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), anti-emetic, anticonvulsant and antiepileptic, anxiolytic, barbiturate, movement disorder drug, stimulant (including amphetamines), benzodiazepine, cyclopyrrolone, dopamine antagonist, antihistamine, cholinergic, anticholinergic, emetic, cannabinoids, 5-HT antagonist
For pain & consciousness (Anaesthetic drugs)
\nanalgesics (includes acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioids), local anesthetics, general anaesthetics, sedatives, migraine treatment drug
For musculo-skeletal disorders
\nNSAIDs, muscle relaxant, neuromuscular drug
anticholinesterase, COX-2 inhibitor
For the eye
\nanti-infective, topical antibiotic, astringent, NSAIDs, miotics, adrenergic neurone blocker, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, ocular lubricant, mydriatic
For the ear, nose and oropharynx
\nsympathomimetic, antihistamine, anticholinergic, NSAIDs, steroid, antiseptic, local anesthetic, antifungal, cerumenolytic
For the respiratory system
\nbronchodilator, NSAIDs, anti-allergic, antitussive, mucolytic, decongestant
corticosteroid, beta-receptor antagonist, anticholinergic, steroid
For endocrine problems
\nandrogen, antiandrogen, gonadotropin, corticosteroid, growth hormone, insulin, antidiabetic (sulfonylurea, biguanide/metformin, thiazolidinedione, insulin), thyroid hormones, antithyroid drugs, calcitonin, diphosponate, vasopressin analogues
For the reproductive system or urinary system
\nantifungal, alkalising agent, quinolones, antibiotic, cholinergic, anticholinergic, anticholinesterase, antispasmodic, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, selective alpha-1 blocker
For contraception
\ncontraceptive, oral contraceptives, spermicide, depot contraceptives
For obstetrics and gynaecology
\nNSAIDs, anticholinergic, haemostatic drug, antifibrinolytic, Hormone Replacement Therapy, bone regulator, beta-receptor agonist, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, LHRH
gamolenic acid, gonadotropin release inhibitor, progestogen, dopamine agonist, oestrogen, prostaglandin, gonadorelin, clomiphene, tamoxifen, Diethylstilbestrol
For the skin
\nemollient, anti-pruritic, antifungal, disinfectant, scabicide, pediculicide, tar products, vitamin A derivatives, vitamin D analogue, keratolytic, abrasive, systemic antibiotic, topical antibiotic, hormones, desloughing agent, exudate absorbant, fibrinolytic, proteolytic, sunscreen, antiperspirant
For infections and infestations
\nantibiotic, antifungal, antileprotic, antituberculous drug, antimalarial, anthelmintic, amoebicide, antiviral, antiprotozoal
For immunology
\nvaccine, immunoglobulin, immunosuppressant, interferon, monoclonal antibody
For allergic disorders
\nanti-allergic, antihistamine, NSAIDs
For nutrition
\ntonic, iron preparation, electrolyte, parenteral nutritional supplement, vitamins, anti-obesity drug, anabolic drug, haematopoietic drug, food product drug
For neoplastic disorders
\ncytotoxic drug, sex hormones, aromatase inhibitor, somatostatin inhibitor, recombinant interleukins, G-CSF, erythropoietin
For diagnostics
\ncontrast media
For euthanasia
A euthanaticum is used for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, see also Barbiturate#Other_non-therapeutical_use.
Drugs found to have serious side effects and subsequently withdrawn from the market
\nThalidomide (1950s–1960s), diethylstilbestrol (1970s), phenformin and buformin, Fen-phen, phentermine, dexfenfluramine & fenfluramine (1997), troglitazone (2000), cerivastatin (2001), rapacuronium (ORG 9487)
See also
\n* pharmacognosy\n* antinfective, antiserum\n* chemist, pharmacist\n* medical prescription, route of administration\n* technology assessment\n* list of pharmaceutical companies\n* pharmacokinetics\n* pharmacodynamics
Category:Medicine Category:Pharmacology
