PHAR 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Therapeutic Index, Pharmacology, Reuptake

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Course: PHAR 100
• Professor: Bill Racz

Document Summary

Receptors most drugs influence biological systems by interacting with a specific macromolecule that has a functional role in the homeostatic processes of the organism. Term use for these binding sites are receptors. In a few cases, drugs may be non-specific in their interaction for example, osmotic diuretics and general anesthetics. Receptors can be regulatory proteins (receptors in the cns for hormones), transporters (reuptake inhibitor), enzymes, and structural proteins. Competitive inhibitor blocks the response to an agonist (compete for receptor) Allosteric activator alters conformation of the receptor, allows agonist to be more effective. Allosteric inhibitor changes conformation of receptor so agonist less effective. Dose response curve is a fundamental concept in pharmacology. As dose increases so does the response: variability in the response between individuals. Therapeutic dose must be less than the toxic dose. The greater the therapeutic index the safer the drug. Potency refers o the amount of drug that must be given to obtain a particular response.