Drugs can come from living organisms, inorganic materials, or laboratory processes, and they are prepared in forms suited to different routes of administration. Understanding these origins and forms helps health professionals consider how a medication is produced, delivered, and absorbed.
Drugs are substances used to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure conditions. Their sources include plants, animals and animal products, inorganic compounds, and laboratory production. A substance may have therapeutic effects at an appropriate dose but harmful or poisonous effects at another dose.
All flashcards
What are synthetic drugs?
They are chemical compounds produced in a laboratory, commercially or illicitly. Laboratory modification or engineering can change a compound’s therapeutic properties.
What is a biologic?
A medication derived from a living source and developed using biological processes. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are examples.
What is a biosimilar?
A product shown to be highly similar to a reference biologic. Because biologics are complex and made using living systems, a biosimilar is not simply an identical generic copy.
What does enteral administration mean?
Giving medication into the GI tract, such as orally, rectally, or through a GI tube.
What is parenteral administration?
Administration outside the GI tract, commonly by injection. Intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal routes are examples.
Quiz questions
Which plant is a source of morphine?Answer: The poppy plant
What characterizes a biologic medication?Answer: It is derived from a living source using biological processes
How does a biosimilar differ from a conventional generic drug?Answer: A biosimilar is shown highly similar to a complex biologic; a generic is shown bioequivalent to its reference drug
Which route describes medication administered into the gastrointestinal tract?Answer: Enteral
Why should a time-release tablet generally not be crushed?Answer: Crushing can change how quickly the medication is released and absorbed
Based on Pharmacology for Nurses by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris, Dorie Weaver (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.