Medical Pharmacology

DURGE RAJ GHALAN

Department of Pharmacology,
Sun Yat-sen University School of Medicine
Chapter I Introduction

 Definitions

 1) Pharmacology
 Pharmacodynamics
 Pharmacokinetics
 2) Drugs
What is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology can be defined as the study of

substances (drugs) that interact with living systems
(body) through chemical processes, especially by
binding to regulatory molecules and activating or
inhibiting normal body processes.
Drug-Body Interactions

The interactions between a drug and the body

are conveniently divided into two classes.
Pharmacodynamics: the actions of the drug on
the body are termed pharmacodynamic processes.

Pharmacokinetics: the actions of the body on the

drug are called pharmacokinetic processes.
What are drugs?

A drug may be defined as any

chemical substance that brings
about a change in biologic
function through its chemical
actions, is used to prevent,
diagnose, and treat diseases.
What are poisons?

Poisons are chemicals that do

harm to the body in small dose.
For example: Toxins like
pertussis toxin, cholera toxin
are poisons of biologic origin,
in contrast to inorganic poisons
such as lead and arsenic.
What is the relationship between
drugs and poisons?

Similarity: they are all chemicals.

Difference: dosage

Drugs poisons
What is food?

Food provides life essential to

the body, such as carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, vitamins, and
trace elements.

FDA: Food and Drug

Administration
Reference books:

1. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 10th edition,

edited by Professor Bertram G. Katzung, MD,
PhD and published by Lange Medical Books

2. Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis

of Therapeutics, 10th edition (McGraw-Hill,2001)