Pharmacology Demystified

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Summary
CHAPTER 1 An Inside Look at Pharmacology
• The name of the medication
• Why the medication is given
• What the medication looks like
• How much of the medication to take
• When to take the medication
• When not to take the medication
• What are the side effects, adverse effects, and toxic effects
This information is discussed in the best way the patient can understand.
Healthcare providers should avoid speaking in medical terminology and, instead,
use common words and expressions that are familiar to the patient—and always
in the language that the patient speaks.
The patient provides feedback that he or she understands everything about the
medication. It is common for the healthcare provider to ask the patient to tell in
his or her own words what was told to them about the medication.
The patient is also shown how to keep track of multiple medications.
Typically, the patient is encouraged to keep a list of medications. The list should
have the name of the medication, dose, time the medication is to be taken and
the name and phone number of the prescriber who ordered the medication.
Pharmacology is the study of drug effects on living tissue and how drugs cure,
prevent, or manage diseases. Drugs are derived from plants, animals, minerals,
and are synthesized in the laboratory. Each drug has three names. These
are the chemical name, the generic name that is considered the official name
for the drug, and the brand name, which is used by the manufacturer to
market the drug.
There are two general classifications of drugs: prescription and over-thecounter
drugs. Prescription drugs are also known as legend drugs and must be
prescribed by an authorized healthcare provider. Over-the-counter drugs can
be purchased with or without a prescription.
Drugs have three effects: these are the therapeutic effect to fight or prevent a
disease; a side effect that isn’t harmful; and an adverse effect that is harmful to a
varying degree. Some drugs can also cause an allergic response in some patients.
Healthcare providers must know about these effects before administering the medication
to the patient. Furthermore, the patient must be informed of these effects.