Tema 1. Introducción a la farmacología.

Introduction to Pharmacology

Overview of Pharmacology

• Pharmacology is defined as the science that studies the actions and properties of drugs within living organisms. It has ancient roots, as humans have historically used substances for therapeutic purposes.

• The establishment of pharmacology as a scientific discipline coincides with advancements in chemistry. Its primary goal is to utilize drugs effectively to benefit patients.

Branches of Pharmacology

• Pharmacology can be divided into several branches:

• Pharmacochemistry: Studies the drug in isolation.

• Pharmacognosy: Focuses on natural products and their medicinal uses.

• Pharmaceutics: Examines drug formulation and delivery methods.

• Pharmacodynamics: Investigates how drugs affect biological systems.

• Pharmacokinetics: Looks at how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.

• Pharmacogenetics: Explores genetic factors influencing drug response.

• Chronopharmacology: Studies how biological rhythms affect drug action.

Distinction Between Drug and Medication

• A key distinction exists between "drug" and "medication":

• A drug is any chemical substance capable of interacting with a living organism.

• A medication refers specifically to substances intended for use in humans or animals that prevent, diagnose, treat, alleviate, or cure diseases. Essentially, medications are formulated active ingredients (drugs).

Pharmaceutical Specialties

• A pharmaceutical specialty is defined as a medication with specific composition and information that includes dosage form and packaging designed for public sale. This represents the concrete preparation available at pharmacies.

Continuous Development in Pharmacology