The document is an introduction to pharmacology, covering its history, key terms, definitions, and the distinction between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It explains the scientific study of drugs in humans (clinical pharmacology), the undesirable effects of chemicals (toxicology), and various classifications and nomenclature of drugs. Additionally, it provides information on pharmacological textbooks and historical references such as the Ebers Papyrus.

1. Sanjaya Mani Dixit
Assistant Prof of Pharmacology
Introduction to
Pharmacology

2. Topic Contents
History
Terms and Definitions
Pharmacology Textbooks

3. What is pharmacology?
Greek words
pharmakon - drug or poison
Logos - study
The science that deals with
the fate of drugs in the body and
 (pharmacokinetics)
their actions on the body
 (pharmacodynamics)

5. Pharmacokinetics Vs Pharmacodynamics

6. Ostwald Schmiedeberg
German
Father of Modern Pharmacology
Introduced Urethane as hypnotic
Obtained his doctrate degree with a
thesis on measurement of Chloroform in
blood.
Nice to know

7. Drugs
Any substance used for the purpose
of diagnosis, prevention, relief or cure
of a disease.
WHO definition (1966):
“Drug is any substance or product that
is used or is intended to be used to
modify or explore physiological systems
or pathological states for benefit of the
recipient.”

8. Pharmacokinetics
Greek word: kinesis- movement
Pharmacokinetics is the quantitative
movement of drug in, through and out of the
body.
Pharmacokinetics comprises of
absorption,
distribution,
metabolism, and
excretion.

9. Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetic considerations, therefore,
determine
◦ the route(s) of administration,
◦ dose,
◦ latency of onset,
◦ time of peak action,
◦ duration of action, and
◦ frequency of administration of drug.

10. Pharmacokinetics

11. Pharmacodynamics
Greek word: dynamics- power
It refers to the action of the drug at
the cellular level.
It consists of the binding of a drug to
its receptor or site of binding,
relationship of dose and therapeutic
level to physiologic response, and
relationship of drug action and efficacy
to dosage interval.

12. Clinical pharmacology
It is scientific study of drugs in
humans.
Includes P.K and P.D investigation in
healthy volunteers and in patients,
evaluation of efficacy and safety of
drugs and comparative trails with other
forms of treatment, surveillance of
patterns of drugs use, adverse effects
etc.

13. Toxicology
The study of undesirable effects of
chemical agents (industrial pollutants,
natural organic and non-organic
chemicals) on living systems.
Adverse effects of therapeutic agent
given in large doses.
Measurement and detection of
poisons as well as treatment of
poisoning

14. Other Terms
Pharmacognosy: It is the science
that deals with natural drugs and their
constituents
Pharmacotherapeutics: The
application of pharmacological
information together with knowledge of
the disease for its prevention, mitigation
or cure.

15. Continued
Pharmacy: the science of identification,
selection, preservation, standardization,
compounding, proper utilization and
dispensing of medicinal substances
Chemotherapy: The effect of drugs on
parasites i.e. microorganisms, living &
multiplying in living organisms etc. it also
includes drug treatment of malignancy

16. Continued
Pharmacopoeia: defines the
standards that the drugs and
medicinal preparations must
meet and their average adult
dose.
-Examples: BP; USP; IP; NP etc

17. Pharmacopoeias in England
British Pharmacopoeia (B.P.)
British Pharmaceutical Codex
(B.P.C.)

18. Pharmacopoeias in USA
United States Pharmacopoeias (U.S.P.)
National Formulary (N.F.)
New and Non-official Drugs (N.N.D)

19. Continued
Orphan drugs:
Drugs for diagnosis, prevention
or treatment of rare diseases,
e.g. anti-cancer drugs, anti-viral
drugs, etc.

20. Drug Nomenclature
Chemical name
Non-proprietary or Generic name
Approved name
Name not yet in
Pharmacopoeias
Official name
Drug name in
Pharmacopoeias
Aspirin (U.S.P.), Aspirin
(B.P.)
Common name
Usually the same as generic
name
Proprietary or Trade or Brand
name examples
Aciloc/ Pantop

21. Chemical name
Describes the drug chemically:
l Aspirin: Acetyl Salicylic Acid
Disadvantages: cumbersome and
not suitable for use in prescribing

22. Non-proprietary name
Accepted by USAN (United states
adopted name) council
Approved name (in pharmacopoeia) or
official name (post official publication)
Generic name (common), e.g. Penicillin,
heparin, nifedipine, etc.
Most preferable & important, uniform,
convenience and better comprehension

23. Propriety Name
The name of drugs are assigned by
the manufacture company & is his
property or trade mark.
Designed to be catchy, short, easy to
remember and often suggestive, e.g.
Niko, Fam-20,Amclox,Brufen etc.
Most clinicians prefer and prescribe by
branded names. (Common trend in
Nepal.)

24. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro-A 750)
Chemical name
1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-
7-piperazin-1-yl-quinoline-3-
carboxylic acid
Generic name
Ciprofloxacin
Trade name
Cipro- A 750

25. Classifications based on Use
Classify drugs according to the organ
system upon which they exert their most
prominent actions
Anesthetic drugs
Anti-convulsants
CNS stimulants
ANS drugs
Cardiovascular drugs
Anti-hypertensive agents
Diuretics
Muscle relaxants
Analgesics
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Antihistamine

26. History–Ebers Papyrus
The Ebers Papyrus, also known
as Papyrus Ebers, is an Egyptian
medical papyrus dating to 1550 BC.
Describes more than 700 drugs in
extensive use at that time.
Included agents are:
Turpentine, berries, poppy, Lead, salt,
etc. (Egyptian remedies)
Nice to know

27. Ebers Papyrus
Nice to know

28. Pharmacological Textbooks
Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological
Basis of Therapeutics, 12th ed.
Essentials of Medical Pharmacology- KD
Tripathi, 7th
Edition
Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics-
Satoskar, 22nd
Edition
Rang & Dales Pharmacology-7th
Edition
Basic and Clinical Pharmacology- Katzung –
10th
Edition

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