MU PT 7890 Case Management I
General Principals of Pharmacology
A. Pharmacokinetics - the process by which a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
What the body does to the drug.
1. Route of Administration
 Enteral = alimentary canal
o Oral: subject to “first pass”: portal vein to the liver
o Sublingual: directly to venous return. No first pass e.g. nitroglycerin
o Buccal: directly to venous return. No first pass
o Rectal: given if vomiting or unconscious. Poor absorption
Advantages: Non invasive; Ease of drug administration; Mouth and the GI tract have a rich
blood supply for pancorporeal dispersal of the medication; Avoids large fluctuations in drug
delivery
Disadvantages: Drugs must be lipid soluble; Drugs can be irritating to the mucosa of the
mouth and the gut.

Parenteral = outside alimentary canal
o IV
o intramuscular (IM): vaccines, botulinum (prolonged release into venous circulation)
o subcutaneous (SQ): insulin, Norplant (contraceptive)
o transdermal patch: e.g. nitro patch or fentanyl-opiod patch
o transdermal iontophoresis and phonophoresis: lidocaine or dexamethasone are driven through
dermal layer to local tissue
o intrathecal, epidural: for administering analgesic, anesthetic, or antispasmodic (botulinum)
Advantages: Fast delivery of the medications (IV, inhalation); Efficient maintenance of
therapeutic ranges (IV); More predictable; Can give large quantities of medication
Disadvantage: Invasive

Topical- creams, eye/ear drops, nasal sprays (NS), inhalers (INH)
(sometimes topical is lumped under parenteral)
2. Bioavailability: amount of drug that actually makes it to the intended downstream target. Influenced by route
of administration and how easily it can cross cell membrane barriers (size, shape, charge, lipid soluble or
protein-bound)
3. Metabolism / Biotransformation: deactivation by the liver, the “Great Detoxifier”
(hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, conjugation)
4. Elimination / Excretion: primarily by kidneys.
minor roles played by: GI tract (bile salts), lungs (inhaled drugs), sweating, saliva, breast milk
B. Pharmacodynamics – What the drug does to the body
C. Pharmacotherapeutics - is using drug therapy to stimulate or depress certain biochemical or physiological functions
in our patient to provide relief of symptoms or ideally to favorably alter the course of their disease.
Therapeutic Index (TI) = Toxic dose / Effective dose
This indicates the relative safety of a drug. For example:
Acetominophen
27
Valium
3
Methotrexate, vincristine
1
Digitalis and Coumadin also have low (narrow) TI. Frequent blood draws needed to monitor levels.
E. Mechanism of Action –
1. Agonist - drug mimics an endogenous substance that would normally stimulate a receptor
2. Antagonist - drug which binds a receptor site, doesn't stimulate it, but does block other substances from
stimulating it
F. Drug Nomenclature
1. Chemical name - example - n-acetyl-para-amino phenol
2. Generic drug name - example – acetaminophen. The FDA catalogs the drug by its generic name
3. Trade name / Brand name- example Tylenol. This is the name the manufacturer gives to the drug that
distinguishes it from the same (generic) drug made by other drug companies.
G. Off-label use
A prescription drug may be prescribed for a purpose / diagnosis that is not approved by the FDA. No clinical
trials have been done to study this off-label use.
Example: gabapentin, Neruontin is an antiseizure medicine. It is commonly prescribed off-label for the pain of
peripheral neuropathy.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Medicines
A. Antihvpertensives
1. Diuretics - causes diuresis which decreases plasma volume which decreases cardiac output which decreases
blood pressure
 Important Side Effects – LIGHTHEADEDNESS, hypokalemia, hyperuricemia (increased uric acid),
hyperglycemia
2. Beta-blockers - block Beta-adrenergic receptors on sympathetic neuronal endings which decreases
norepinephrine release therefore decreasing blood pressure. Negative chronotrope (slows the HR)
 Important Side Effects - bradycardia, bronchospasm, blocks hypoglycemic symptoms
3. ACE Inhibitors - Stop conversion of Angiontensin I to II in blood vessels resulting in vasodilation and
decreased blood pressure
 Important Side Effects - hyperkalemia, lightheadedness, cough
4. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers - Blocks angiotensin II at receptor
5. Calcium Channel Blockers - cause relaxation of cardiac & smooth muscle by blocking voltage sensitive
calcium channels therefore causing vasodilation and decreased blood pressure
 Important Side Effects - muscle weakness, GERD, constipation
B. CHF Drugs
1. Diuretic
2. Digitalis Glycosides - increases how forcefully the heart contracts (positive inotrope).
 Important Side Effects - bradycardia, fatigue, dizziness, visual problems, increased toxicity w/
hypokalemia. Almost always will have a simultaneous prescription for potassium (K) supplement.
3. Combination therapy: ACE Inhibitor, Beta Blocker, Diuretic
C. Anti-angina Drugs
1. Nitrates- decreases stress on the heart via vasodilation
 Important Side Effects - light headedness and headache
2. Beta-blockers
3. Calcium Channel Blockers
D. Treatment of Coagulation Disorders
1. Anti-coagulants: use to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism
 Heparin & like drugs (IV) - inhibit thrombin & factor X in the coagulation pathway.
 Warfarin/Coumadin (oral) - antagonizes Vitamin K which is necessary for several coagulation factors
to work.
2. Anti-platelet / Antithrombotic: inhibit platelet (thrombocyte) aggregation. Used to prevent arterial thrombus

Aspirin (ASA) & Plavix
E. Antihyperlipidemics
1. Statins or HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors – blocks the enzyme for cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
 Important Side Effects - myalgias, gas, diarrhea, dyspepsia, increased liver enzymes
F. Respiratory Drugs
1. Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonist- bronchodilators via direct stimulation of the beta-2 receptor
 Important Side Effects - CNS stimulants, increased pulse
2. Anticholinergics - Primarily COPD: decreases secretions & causes some bronchodilation
 Important Side Effects – “SLUD” ↓ salivation (dry mouth), ↓ lacrimation (dry eyes), ↓ urination (risk
of urinary retention), ↓ defecation (constipation)
3. Steroids - mostly for asthma exacerbations
 Important Side Effects - delayed wound healing, increase glucose levels
4. Leukotrine Modifiers: long acting agent, antinflammatory properties
5. Cromones: long acting agent, reduces mast cell (secretory glands) reactivity in the airways
Sample Drug ID Quiz:
_____ simvastatin (Zocor)
A. diuretic
_____ triamcinolone (Azmacort)
B. beta-blocker
_____ digoxin (Lanoxin)
C. anticoagulant
_____ isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
D. angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
_____ albuterol (Proventil)
E. bronchodilator – beta agonist
_____ furosemide (Lasix)
F. vasodilator
_____ metoprolol (Lopressor)
G. positive inotrope
_____ lisinopril (Zestril)
H. antihyperlipidemic
_____ warfarin (Coumadin)
I. anti-inflammatory - steroid
References:
 Bill Morrissey PharmD R.Ph, Kilgore’s Medical Pharmacy, Columbia MO
 Ciccone, C. (2007). Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.