PSYC62H3 Chapter 1: Chapter 1 Part 2
Pharmacology in Action
Naming Drugs
• All drugs have a chemical name which is a compl chemical description suitable for synthesizing, by
an organic chemist
o Rarely is the chemical name used, except in a laboratory setting
• Generic names (non-proprietary names) are official names of drugs which r listed in the United
States Pharmacopeia
o Shorter form of the chemical name, but still unique to the drug
▪ e.g., the chemical name for an anti-anx drug is 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl… but
the generic name Diazepam is more commonly used
• The brand name/trade name of that drug (Valium) specifies a specific
manufacturer and formulation
• The brand name is trademarked and copyrighted by an indiv'al company, which
means that the company has a right to advertise + sell the drug
• Slang/street names r also a way to identify a chemical (commonly used drugs)
o These names change w/ time, geographical location and w/ certain groups of ppl
▪ e.g., for cocaine… coke, big C and snow are common street names
• In a double-blind experiment, neither the patient nor the observer knows what treatment the
participant has received
o This ensures that neither the participant nor the observer will be prejudicial
Pharmacokinetic Factors Determining Drug Action
Document Summary
Slang/street names r also a way to identify a chemical (commonly used drugs: these names change w/ time, geographical location and w/ certain groups of ppl, e. g. , for cocaine coke, big c and snow are common street names. In a double-blind experiment, neither the patient nor the observer knows what treatment the participant has received: this ensures that neither the participant nor the observer will be prejudicial. Figure 1. 2: pharmacokinetic factors which determine bioavailability of drugs. From the site of administration (1), the drug moves thru cell membr"s to be abs"d into the bl (2), where it circulates then to all cells in the body. Factors of pharmacokinetic component of drug action: routes of administration. How + where a drug is administered determines how quickly/compl"ly its abs"d in the bl: absorption and distribution. Drug pass thru a variety of cell membr"s and enter the bl plasma, which transp"s the drug to all cells in the body: binding.
