Pharmacotherapeutics
Examines the mechanism of action
(MOA) of drugs.
Describes the effects produced by a
drug.
Determines what dose of a drug is
needed to produce a desired effect.
Determines what dose of a drug
produces toxic effects.
Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
Mechanisms of Action (MOA)
Drugs with the same MOA are said to
belong to the same therapeutic class.
Binding occurs when a drug combines with
a chemical in the body.
MOA operates on a “lock and key”
principle. The drug is considered the key
and the body chemical the lock.
Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
Mechanisms of Action (cont.)
Binding to and Stimulating a Receptor in the
Body
Receptors – proteins found in cells.
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Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
Mechanisms of Action (cont.)
Binding to and Blocking a Receptor in the
Body
Some drugs, called antagonists or
blockers, bind to a receptor without
causing a response, thus preventing the
naturally occurring key from binding.
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Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
Mechanisms of Action (cont.)
Inhibiting an Enzyme
Enzyme inhibitors increase or decrease the
concentration of an enzyme.
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Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
A side effect is any effect produced
by a drug that is not the desired
effect.
Local Side Effects
Occur before a drug is absorbed into
the bloodstream.
Pharmacotherapeutics (cont.)
Systemic Side Effects
Take place after being absorbed
into the bloodstream.
May take the form of an allergic
reaction, since drugs are not a
“natural” part of our body.
Most occur because the drug
affects cells other than the target
cells.
Apply Your Knowledge
Where do drugs come from?
Answer:
1. Natural sources such as plants and animals.
2. Microscopic organisms such as bacteria,
fungi, and molds.
3. Synthetics and bioengineering.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs
Drugs in a therapeutic class produce
their effect in the same way.
Examples are listed on the following
slides.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensin is a naturally occurring protein
in the body. An enzyme called angiotension
converting enzyme (ACE) activates
angiotensin, which, when overactive, causes
high blood pressure, or hypertension.
ACE inhibitors reduce the production of
angiotensin.
Representative drugs: Accupril®, Lotensin®,
Prinivil®, Vasotec®, and Zestril®.
Common side effects include headache and
dizziness.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Beta-1 Blockers
Bind to beta-1 receptors without
stimulating them, preventing epinephrine
(adrenalin) and norepinephrine from
binding.
Representative drugs: Lopressor®,
Tenormin®, Toprol®.
Indications: hypertension, tachycardia or
rapid heartbeat.
Common side effects: dizziness,
drowsiness.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Beta-2 Agonists
These drugs bind to beta-
2 receptors on the smooth
muscle cells of the
bronchioles, causing
dilation. Representative
drugs: Ventolin®,
Proventil®, Serevent®,
Alupent®, Brethine®.
Indications: asthma,
emphysema.
Common side effects:
tremors, increased heart
rate, and insomnia.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Antihistamines
Antihistamines bind to histamine
receptors, without stimulating
them.
Representative drugs: Allegra®,
Benadryl®, Claritin®, Zyrtec®.
Indications: itching, nasal
congestion, seasonal allergies
such as hay fever.
Common side effects: dry mouth
and drowsiness.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
H2 Antagonists
Bind to H2 receptors, found
only in the stomach, to
decrease the amount of
hydrochloric acid produced.
Representative drugs:
Tagamet®, Pepcid®, Zantac®.
Indications:
gastroesophageal reflux
disorder, gastric ulcers,
duodenal ulcers.
Common side effects:
diarrhea, headache.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Drugs that turn off the proton pumps in the
stomach, which reduces stomach acid.
Representative drugs: Prilosec®.
Indications: gastroesophageal reflux disorder,
gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers.
Common side effects: diarrhea, headache.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Narcotic Analgesics
Drugs that bind to and stimulate the endorphin
receptors in the spine which inhibit nerve cells
that carry pain to the brain.
Representative drugs: morphine, codeine,
Demerol®, Vicodin®, Percodan®.
Indications: severe pain.
Common side effects: drowsiness, slow and
shallow breathing, constipation.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
inhibit the enzyme prostaglandin synthase, which
makes prostaglandins.
Representative drugs: aspirin, Motrin®, Advil®,
Relafen®, Naprosyn®, Aleve®.
Indications: mild to moderate pain, inflammation,
fever.
Common side effects: stomach irritation.
Therapeutic Classes of Drugs (cont.)
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Inhibit the activity of the enzyme reverse
transcriptase, which is needed to convert RNA to
DNA.
Representative drugs: AZT, Combivir®, Sustiva®,
Retrovir®.
Indications: HIV infection.
Common side effects: anemia, fever, rash,
headache, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, stomach pain, cough, shortness of
breath, sore throat.
Apply Your Knowledge
What type or class of drugs are used to
relieve pain?
Analgesics such as Tylenol or morphine
What type or class of drugs is given for an
allergic reaction
Anti histamines
What type or class of drug is given for an
ulcer?
Proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec or
H2 antagonist such as Zantac
