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INTRODUCTION TO
PHARMACOLOGY
PREPARED BY
ASHISH N. UMALE
M. PHARM IN PHARMACOLOGY
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SHRADDHA INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY, WASHIM-444505
• The study of drugs (Pharmakon: drug; Logos:
discourse).
• Pharmacokinetics: What the body does to the drug
(Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion –
ADME).
• Pharmacodynamics: What the drug does to the body
(Mechanism of action, effects).
• Drug : Any substance used to prevent, diagnose, treat,
or alleviate disease.
Introduction to Pharmacology
Oswald Schmiedeberg (1838–1921): Founder of
modern pharmacology.
John Jacob Abel: Father of American pharmacology.
Paul Ehrlich: Developed the concept of receptors and
chemotherapy.
 Sir Ram Nath Chopra: Father of Indian
Pharmacology.
Historical Landmarks
Natural Sources
 Plant: Morphine (Opium), Quinine (Cinchona).
 Animal: Insulin, Heparin.
 Microbial: Penicillin, Streptomycin.
 Mineral: Magnesium sulfate, Iron.
 Synthetic/Semi-synthetic: Aspirin, Omeprazole.
 Biotechnology: Human growth hormone, Monoclonal antibodies.
Chemical Nature
 Inorganic: Ferrous sulfate, Magnesium hydroxide.
• Organic: Alkaloids (Atropine), Glycosides (Digoxin).
 Newer Sources
 Recombinant DNA: Human Insulin (Humulin).
• Hybridoma Technology: Monoclonal antibodies
Nature and Sources of Drugs
Definition: Those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs
of the population.
Criteria for Selection
Efficacy and Safety.
Cost-effectiveness.
Ease of storage and stability.
 National Essential Medicines List (NEML): Adapted to
local disease prevalence.
Essential Drugs Concept (WHO)
Local Routes: Topical (Skin/Mucous membrane), Deeper tissues (Intra-articular),
Arterial supply.
 Systemic Routes
 Enteral: Oral, Sublingual, Rectal.
 Parenteral: Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), Subcutaneous (SC),
Intradermal.
• Inhalation: For volatile liquids and gases.
 Advantage and Disadvantage
 Oral = Safe, convenient, cheap, Slow action, First-pass metabolism
 I.V. = 100% Bioavailability, Emergency use, Risk of embolism, strict asepsis
 S.C. = Self-administration possible, Only for non-irritant drugs
• Sublingual = Bypasses liver, rapid onset, Only lipid-soluble drugs
Routes of Drug Administration
Agonist: An agent which activates a receptor to produce
an effect similar to that of the physiological signal
molecule.
Antagonist: An agent which prevents the action of an
agonist on a receptor but has no effect of its own.
Partial Agonist: Activates a receptor but produces a
sub-maximal response.
Inverse Agonist: Produces an effect opposite to that
of the agonist.
Agonists and Antagonists
Competitive (Equilibrium)
Antagonist binds reversibly to the same site as the
agonist.
Can be overcome by increasing agonist concentration.
Non-Competitive
Antagonist binds to a different site (allosteric) or binds
irreversibly.
Cannot be fully reversed by more agonist.
Types of Antagonism
Concept: Maximal response can be achieved by
activating only a small fraction of the total
receptor population.
Significance: Increases sensitivity to low
concentrations of agonists and provides a
functional reserve.
Spare Receptors
Tolerance: Requirement of higher doses to produce the same
effect (e.g., Morphine).
Cross-Tolerance: Tolerance to one drug confers tolerance to
another in the same class (e.g., Alcohol and Benzodiazepines).
Withdrawal Syndrome: The physiological “rebound” effect
when the drug is removed (e.g., Seizures when stopping
Alcohol).
Drug Tolerance
Tachyphylaxis: Rapidly developing tolerance (acute).
• Repeated doses at short intervals result in a quick decrease in
response (e.g., Ephedrine, Tyramine).
Dependence: A state in which the use of a drug is necessary for
“normal” functioning.
Physical Dependence: Appearance of withdrawal symptoms
(abstinence syndrome) when the drug is stopped.
 Psychological Dependence (Addiction): Intense craving and
compulsive use of the drug for pleasure despite harmful effects.
Tachyphylaxis, Addiction and Dependence
Idiosyncrasy: Genetically determined abnormal reaction to
a drug (e.g., Hemolysis with Primaquine in G6PD
deficiency). It is unique to the individual.
Drug Allergy: Immunologically mediated reaction (Type
I to IV hypersensitivity). Not dose-related and requires
prior exposure.
Idiosyncrasy and Allergy
Unit 1 Introduction to Pharmacology.pptx