Pharmacology Key Topics for D.Pharmacy Year 2

Pharmacology (ER20-21T) studies the action of drugs on the human body. It's one of the highest-scoring subjects if you understand the fundamentals.

Basic Pharmacology Terms

  • Pharmacokinetics: What the body does to the drug (ADME)
  • Pharmacodynamics: What the drug does to the body
  • ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
  • Bioavailability: Fraction of drug reaching systemic circulation

    • Most Important Drug Classes

    1. Analgesics & Antipyretics

    NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

  • Examples: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Paracetamol
  • MOA: Inhibit COX enzymes → reduce prostaglandins
  • Uses: Pain, fever, inflammation

    • Opioid Analgesics

  • Examples: Morphine, Codeine, Tramadol
  • MOA: Act on opioid receptors (μ, κ, δ)
  • Uses: Severe pain, cough suppression

    • 2. Antibiotics

    ClassExampleMechanismUse |-------|---------|-----------|-----| PenicillinsAmoxicillinCell wall synthesis inhibitionBacterial infections CephalosporinsCeftriaxoneCell wall synthesis inhibitionBroad spectrum FluoroquinolonesCiprofloxacinDNA gyrase inhibitionUTI, respiratory MacrolidesAzithromycinProtein synthesis inhibitionRespiratory

    3. Cardiovascular Drugs

  • Beta-blockers: Atenolol, Metoprolol — Hypertension, angina
  • ACE Inhibitors: Enalapril, Ramipril — Hypertension, heart failure
  • Statins: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin — Hyperlipidemia
  • Digoxin: Cardiac glycoside — Heart failure, atrial fibrillation

    • 4. CNS Drugs

  • Benzodiazepines: Diazepam, Alprazolam — Anxiety, sleep disorders
  • Antidepressants: Fluoxetine, Sertraline (SSRIs) — Depression
  • Antipsychotics: Haloperidol, Risperidone — Schizophrenia
  • Anti-epileptics: Phenytoin, Valproate — Epilepsy

    • 5. Antidiabetic Drugs

  • Insulin: Type 1 diabetes, severe Type 2
  • Metformin: First-line for Type 2 diabetes
  • Sulfonylureas: Glibenclamide, Glipizide
  • DPP-4 Inhibitors: Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin

    • Exam Tips

  • Learn mechanisms of action — most MCQs focus on this
  • Remember drug class representatives for each condition
  • Learn adverse effects — major ones always appear
  • Practice the ADME of commonly asked drugs

    • FAQ

    Q: What is the most important topic in D.Pharmacy pharmacology? A: Antibiotics, analgesics, and cardiovascular drugs have the highest exam weightage.

    Q: What does mechanism of action mean? A: How the drug produces its therapeutic effect at the molecular/cellular level.

    Q: What is COX inhibition? A: Cyclooxygenase inhibition by NSAIDs reduces prostaglandin synthesis, resulting in anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.

    Q: What is bioavailability? A: The fraction of administered drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged.

    Q: Which drugs are cardiotoxic? A: Digoxin, certain antibiotics (Chloroquine), and some anti-cancer drugs have cardiac toxicity concerns.