From the Guidelines
Pharmacology involves understanding how medications work in the body, and for conditions like pain management, infections, and hypertension, evidence-based treatments are crucial. For pain management, a stepwise approach is typically used, with mild pain often responding to acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours, maximum 4g daily) or NSAIDs like ibuprofen (400-800mg every 6-8 hours with food) 1. Moderate pain may require combination therapy or weak opioids like tramadol (50-100mg every 4-6 hours), while severe pain might necessitate stronger opioids such as morphine (starting at 5-15mg every 4 hours) or hydrocodone combinations.
Infection Management
For infections, antibiotic selection depends on the suspected pathogen, with common regimens including:
- Amoxicillin (500mg three times daily for 7-10 days) for streptococcal infections
- Ciprofloxacin (500mg twice daily for 7-14 days) for urinary tract infections
- Azithromycin (500mg on day one, then 250mg daily for 4 days) for respiratory infections
Hypertension Management
Hypertension management often begins with lifestyle modifications, followed by medications like thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide 12.5-25mg daily), ACE inhibitors (lisinopril 10-40mg daily), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine 5-10mg daily), or beta-blockers (metoprolol 25-100mg twice daily) 1. Treatment is typically initiated with a single agent, and additional medications are added if blood pressure targets aren't achieved, with medication selection considering patient-specific factors like age, comorbidities, and potential side effects. Regular monitoring for efficacy and adverse reactions is essential, with a focus on achieving blood pressure targets to reduce morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life 1.
Key Considerations
Key considerations in pharmacology include:
- Understanding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Using evidence-based treatments for specific conditions
- Monitoring for efficacy and adverse reactions
- Considering patient-specific factors in medication selection
- Regularly reviewing and adjusting treatment plans as needed to optimize outcomes.
From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12. 1 Mechanism of Action Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. The beneficial effects of lisinopril in hypertension and heart failure appear to result primarily from suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. INDICATIONS & USAGE 1. 1 Hypertension Lisinopril tablets USP are indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adult patients and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older to lower blood pressure.
The basics of pharmacology for conditions like hypertension involve the use of medications such as lisinopril, which works by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to suppress the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
- Lisinopril is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adult patients and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older to lower blood pressure.
- The mechanism of action of lisinopril is believed to be primarily suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
- Lisinopril may be administered alone or with other antihypertensive agents 2 2. Common medication regimens for hypertension include the use of lisinopril alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
- Lisinopril is also indicated for the reduction of signs and symptoms of systolic heart failure and for the reduction of mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
From the Research
Basics of Pharmacology
- Pharmacology consists of two main fields: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics 3
- Pharmacodynamics is the study of the dose-response relationship and the effect of a drug on the body, including the action of the drug on specific sites, especially receptors 4
- Pharmacokinetics is the study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs, and aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the main processes involved in biodisposition of the drug 4, 5
Pharmacokinetic Parameters
- Four fundamental pharmacokinetic parameters are: clearance, volume of distribution, half-life, and bioavailability 5
- Understanding these parameters is essential for appreciating how pharmacokinetics can be useful in evaluating the time course of environmental toxicologic agents and endogenous compounds 5
Common Medication Regimens
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic drug, available without a prescription, and is recommended as a first-line treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis 6
- However, paracetamol can produce serious side effects, such as liver intoxication, especially when taken regularly and in large doses (> 4 g/day) 6
Importance of Pharmacology Principles
- There is an emerging need for greater understanding of pharmacology principles among technical staff, including those involved in dose preparation and administration 7
- Pharmacology foundations can provide a key understanding of the principles that underpin quantitative techniques, such as pharmacokinetics 7