TERMINOLOGY IN

PHARMACOLOGY
BY

Dr. SAMINATHAN KAYAROHANAM

M.PHARM, M.B.A, PhD

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 TERMINOLOGY IN PHARMACY
1. PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacology is the study of interaction of
drugs with living organisms. It also includes history, source,
physicochemical properties, dosage forms, methods of
administration, absorption, distribution mechanism of action,
biotransformation, excretion, clinical uses and adverse effects of
drugs.
2. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: It evaluate the pharmacological
action of drug preferred route of administration and safe dosage
range in human by clinical trails.

3. DRUGS: Drugs are chemicals that alter functions of living

organisms. Drugs are generally given for the diagnosis, prevention,
control or cure of disease.
4. PHARMACY: It is the science of identification, selection,
preservation, standardization, compounding and dispensing of
medical substances.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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5. PHARMACOKINETICS: Study of the absorption, distribution
metabolism and excretion (ADME) of drugs (“i.e what the body does
to the drug”).
Absorption: It is a process in which the unchanged proceeds
from site of administration to the site of measurement with in the
body. Eg Bisphosphonates
Distribution: The transfer of drug from blood to the extravascular
fluids (i.e extracellular and intra cellular water) and tissues. It is a
rapid and reversible process.
Metabolism: it is the biochemical conversion of drug into another
chemical form.
Elimination: It is the irreversible loss of drug from the site of
measurement. (OR)
Excretion: It is the irreversible loss of chemically unchanged drug
by various routes. This can occur through urine, biliary secretion,
saliva. sweat, milk, respiratory route.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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6. PHARMACODYNAMICS: The study of the biological and therapeutic
effects of drugs (i.e,“what the drug does to the body”).
(Receptor mediated and Non receptor mediated)

7. PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS: It deals with the proper selection and

use of drugs for the prevention and treatment of disease.

8. TOXICOLOGY: It’s the science of poisons. Many drugs in larger doses

may act as poisons. Poisons are substances that cause harmful, dangerous
or fatal symptoms in living substances.

9. CHEMOTHERAPY: It’s the effect of drugs upon microorganisms,

parasites and neoplastic cells living and multiplying in living organisms.

10. PHARMACOPOEIA: An official code containing a selected list of the

established drugs and medical preparations with descriptions of their
physical properties and tests for their identity, purity and potency e.g. Indian
Pharmacopoeia (I.P), British Pharmacopoeia (B.P)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)

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11. BIOAVAILABILITY:
It is the rate and amount of drug that is absorbed from a given dosage
form and reaches the systemic circulation following non-vascular
administration. When the drug is given IV, the bioavailability is 100%. It
is important to know the manner in which a drug is absorbed.
a) Enzymatic degradation of polypeptides within the lumen of the
gastrointestinal tract e.g. insulin, ACTH.
b) Poor absorption through gastrointestinal tract e.g. aminoglycoside
antibiotic.
c) Inactivation by liver e.g. testosterone during first passage through the
liver before it reaches systemic circulation.

Factors affecting drug absorption and bioavailability:

a) Physico-chemical properties of drug
b) Nature of the dosage form
c) Physiological factors
d) Pharmacogenetic factors
e) Disease states. 5
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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12. DRUG INTERACTIONS:

DEFINITION:

It is the modification of the effect of one drug (the

object drug ) by the prior concomitant administration of
another (precipitant drug).
TYPE:
1. DRUG - DRUG INTRACTION

A.Pharmacodynamics B.Pharmacokinetics
2. DRUG-NUTRIENT(FOOD) INTERACTIONS
3. DRUG - DISEASE INTRACTION
4. PHYSIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
5. PHARMACEUTICAL INTERACTIONS
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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 A. Pharmacokinetic interactions
1. Altered absorption.
a) Altered pH
b) Altered intestinal bacterial flora
c) Complexation or chelation
d) Drug-induced mucosal damage
e) Altered motility
2. Altered distribution
a) Displaced protein binding
3. Altered metabolism
a) Enzyme induction
b) Enzyme inhibition
4. Alter Renal excretion
a) Active tubular secretion
b) Passive tubular reabsorption
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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 B. Pharmacodynamics interactions

1. SYNERGISM :=1+1=3
2. ANTAGONISM : =1+1=0
3. POTENTIATION : =1+0=3
4. SUMMATION/ ADDITIVE : =1+1=2
5. UNEXPECTED DRUG EFFECT : = 1 + 1 = A

PHARMACEUTICAL INTERACTIONS
1. IMMISCIBILITY
2. INSOLUBILITY
3. PRECIPITATION
4. LIQUEFACTION
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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13.DRUG INTOLERANCE: It is a quantitative deviation from the
anticipated response to a given dose of a drug. Thus drug intolerance is
inability of the individual to tolerate a drug. It is also called as
hypersusceptibility.
14. DRUG DOSE CALCULATION (CONVERSION OF ADULT DOSE
TO CHILD DOSE):
When calculating how much of a drug is required, working with the
formula helps the accuracy of the calculation.
1 BW (kg)
Individual dose  x Average adult dose
70
2 Age
Child dose  x adult dose .........(Young' s formula)
Age  12
Age
3 Child dose  x adult dose.........(Dillin g' s formula)
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Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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15. FACTORS MODIFYING THE DOSAGE AND ACTION OF DRUGS
1) Drug intolerance:
2) Sex difference: (Menstruation ,Pregnancy, Breast feeding)
3) Body Weight:
4) Age:
5) Disease state:
6) Pharmacogenetics:
7) Drug interactions:
8) Repeated administration and drug accumulation:
9) Drug tolerance:
10) Emotional factors.
11) Adverse drug reactions:
12) Side effects:
13) Untoward effects:
14) Allergic reactions:
15) Idiosyncratic reactions:
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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16. DRUG INTOLERANCE
It is a quantitative deviation from the anticipated
response to a given dose of a drug. Thus drug
intolerance is inability of the individual to tolerate a drug.
It is also called as hyper-susceptibility.

17. PHARMACOGENETICS
The science pharmacogenetics is concerned with the
genetically mediated variations in drug responses.
Example:
Acetylation and hydroxylation of drugs: The rate of
acetylation of INH, dapsone, hydralazine procainamide
and some sulfonamides dosage of these drugs depends
up on the acetylator status of individuals.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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18. REPEATED ADMINISTRATION AND DRUG
ACCUMULATION
If a drug is excreted slowly, its administration may build
up a sufficiently high concentration in the body to
produce toxicity. e.g. digitalis, emetine.
19.DRUG TOLERANCE
When an unusually large dose of a drug is required to
elicit an effect ordinarily produced by the normal
therapeutic dose of the drug, the phenomenon is termed
as drug tolerance.
20. TACHYPHYLAXIS
Rapid development of tolerance on repeated
administration is called tachyphylaxis e.g. Ephedrine,
amphetamine and nitroglycerine which produce
tachyphylaxis on repeated administration.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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21. PLACEBO RESPONSE
Placebo: It is a Latin word meaning” I shall please” and it
is a tablet looking exactly like the active treatment but
containing no active component. It refers originally to
substances merely to please the patient when no
specific treatment was available.
22. ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS
The drugs that produce useful therapeutic effect may also
produce unwanted or toxic effects. An adverse drug reaction
is defined as any response to a drug that is noxious and
unintended and that occurs at doses used normal in human
for prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy (WHO).
The adverse effects are 1)Side effects 2)untoward effects
3)allergic reactions 4)idiosyncratic
reactions and 5)teratogenic effects.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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23. SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are infact pharmacological effects
produced with therapeutic dose of the drug.
e.g: Dryness of mouth with atropine which is
roublesome in peptic ulcer patients and useful when
used as a preanaesthetic medication.

24. UNTOWARD EFFECTS

Untoward effects develop with therapeutic dose of a
drug. They are undesirable and if very severe, may
necessitate the cessation of treatment.
e.g: Diarrhoea with ampicillin and potassium loss
with diuretics.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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25. ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Most of the drugs and sera used in therapeutics are
capable of causing allergic or hypersensitive reactions.
These reactions may be mild or very severe like
anaphylaxis. When an individual has been sensitized to
an antigen (allergen) further contact with that antigen
can some times lead to tissue damaging reactions.
These allergic reactions are 4 types.
Type-I reactions or anaphylactic reactions (Immediate
hypersensitive reaction).
Type-II reactions or cytotoxic reactions.
Type-III reactions or immune complex mediated
reactions.
Type-IV reactions or cell mediated reactions (Delayed
hypersensitive reactions).
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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26. IDIOSYNCRATIC REACTIONS: The term idiosyncrasy
means one’s peculiar response to drugs.
With the increasing knowledge of pharmacogenetics, many
idiosyncratic reactions have been found to be genetically
determined.
e.g: Drugs like primaquine, sulfonamides and dapsone may
cause hemolysis in patients with
glucose -6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
27. TERATOGENIC EFFECT: Some drugs given in the first
three months of pregnancy may cause congenital
abnormalities and are said to be teratogenic. The best known
example is thalidomide which results in early easily
recognizable abnormalities such as absent or grossly
abnormal limbs.
Other drugs with teratogenic potential are androgens,
steroids, anti convulsants, anti neoplastic drugs, cortisone,
lithium, pencillamine,Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D)
tricyclic antidepressants , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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and warfarin.
28. TOXICOLOGY
Toxicology, the science of poisons which includes
detection and measurement of poisons as well as treatment of
poisoning.

29. PHARMACOECONOMICS

Pharmacoeconomics, the analysis of the cost of

drug therapy to the health care system and the society. It
examines the link between the cost and the benefit (cost-benefit-
analysis) of the individual health care measures.

30. PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY
The study of the use and effects of drugs in large numbers
of people. It helps to gain further insight into the efficiency and
safety of new drugs after they are released for community use.
Such studies are essentially observational and case-control
studies. Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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 TERMINOLOGY DEFINITIONS
1.) Angioplasty:  Surgical repair of a blood vessel.
2.) Phlebotomy:  Incision of a vein.
3.) Arteriolitis:  Inflammation of small arteries.
4.) Ileostomy:  Opening of the ileum
5.) Gastralgia:  Stomach pain.
6.) Intravenous:  Existing or taking place within
the veins.
7.) Thymoma:  A tumour or mass within the
thymus gland.
8.) Hysterectomy:  Removal of the uterus.
9.) Splenomegaly:  Enlargement of the spleen.
10.) Hypophyseal:  Pertaining to the pituitary gland.
11.) Adrenopathy:  A disease condition of the
adrenal gland. 23
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
12.) Lymphoma:  A tumour or mass within the
lymph fluid.
13.) Myelodysplasia:  A painful condition or disease
of the bone marrow.
14.) Craniotomy:  Incision of the skull.
15.) Neuropathy:  A disease condition of the nerves.
16.) Arthroscopy:  Process of visual examination
of the joints.
17.) Medullary:  Pertaining to the medulla oblongata.
18.) Intervertebral:  Situated between vertebrae.
19.) Alveolar:  Relating to an alveolus.
20.) Otitis:  Inflammation of the ear(s).
21.) Pyelogram:  A record of the renal pelvis.
22.) Bronchoscopy:  Process of visual examination
of the bronchial tube.
23.) Rhinorrhea:  A flow or discharge from the nose.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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 WHAT IS ASSAY
 Amount or activity of an active principle in unit quantity
of preparation

PHOTOMETRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
PHYSICO-
CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL
ASSAY (BIOASSAY)

 Types :
IMMUNOLOGICAL ASSAY
RIA
ELISA

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)

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 WHAT IS BIOASSAY
Bioassay (commonly used shorthand for biological assay or
assessment), or biological standardization is a type of
scientific experiment.

A bioassay involves the use of live animal or plant (in vivo) or

tissue or cell (in vitro) to determine the biological activity of a
substance, such as a hormone or drug. Bioassays are typically
conducted to measure the effects of a substance on a
living organism and are essential in the development of
new drugs and in monitoring environmental pollutants.

"The determination of the relative strength of a substance

(e.g., a drug or hormone or toxicant) by comparing its effect
on a test organism with that of a standard preparation" is
called bioassay.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
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 USES OF BIOASSAY
 To measure the pharmacological activity of new/
chemically undefined substances
 To investigate the function of endogenous mediators
 To measure drug toxicity and unwanted effects
 To measure the conc of drugs and other active
substances in the blood or other body fluids
 Determination of potency, ED50/LD50 of drugs
 New drug development
 Measure clinical effectiveness

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD ASSAY METHOD

 Sensitivity
 Specificity
 Repeatability
 Reproducibility
 Precision
 Accuracy
 Stability – tissue has to stay “bioassay-fit

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BIOASSAY CAN BE PERFORMED ON

Invivo • Intact animals

• Isolated tissues
Invitro • Specific cells
• Organisms

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)

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 WHOLE ANIMALS
 Nor Adrenaline – Spinal Cat
 Cardiac Glycosides – Guinea Pig
 Insulin – Mice
 Estrogens – Ovariectamised Female Rat

MICRO ORGANISMS

 Vit B12 – Euglena gracilis

 Tetracycline - Bacillus pumilus

ISOLATED TISSUE
 Acetyl Choline – Frog Rectus Abdominus muscle
 Histamine – Guinea Pig ileum
 Adrenaline – Rat uterus
 Oxytocin – Rat uterus oestrogen primed

DISPERSED CELLS
 Plasma LH estimation by stimulation of testosterone synthesis - on
isolated Leydig cells

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