Animation on histamine release and antihistamines mechanism of action

In this 3-D animation, oriented to the general public, we can see the process of histamine release by mast cell starting from the exposure to the allergen: This image shows the same process: H1 blockers are a class of widely prescribed drugs, here an excerpt of its pharmacodynamics (Source: Katzung’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology) A. […]

Video animation: mechanism of ionotropic receptors or ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs)

In pharmacology, receptors can be divided into 4 general groups: 1. Ion channels: Ligand gatedace Voltage gated Second messenger regulated 2. G protein coupled receptors 3. Receptor tyrosine kinase 4. Intracellular hormone receptors: like  the glucocorticoid receptor The video animation below shows the activation of a ionotropic receptor or ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC): An excerpt […]

Definition: latent period or latency after drug administration

The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Latent Period or Latency: The period of time that must elapse between the time at which a dose of drug is applied to a biologic system and the time at which a specified pharmacologic […]

Pharmacodynamics (drug receptor interactions): power point presentation

This document has been uploaded to Scribd by Dr. Robert L. Copeland, Pharmacology Professor at Howard University. It deals with basic principles of pharmacodynamics like: Concept of specific drug receptors, Receptor Types, Ion-channel-linked receptors, G-protein-linked receptors, Enzyme-linked receptors, Intracellular receptors, Log Dose-Response Curve, Agonists (or Full Agonists), additivity and sinergism. You can download the power […]

USMLE-like pharmacology quiz. Part 4: pharmacodynamics

The following are multiple choice questions in a style similar to those included in the USMLE step 1. The main topic here is: pharmacodynamics. This quiz has been uploaded to Scribd by medical student James Lamberg. The correct answers can be found in link at the end of this post. Note: the words underlined don’t […]

Potency of a drug. Equipotent drug definition

The following pharmacology definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Equipotent: Equally potent, or equally capable of producing a pharmacologic effect of a specified intensity. The masses of the drugs required to produce this degree of effect may be compared, quantitatively, to

Dose response curve definition in plain english.

An explanation in plain english of the dose-response curves, by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences: One of the most important principles of pharmacology, and of much of research in general, is a concept called “dose-response.” Just as the term implies, this notion refers to the relationship between some effect—let’s say, lowering of blood […]

Pharmacology glossary. Dose duration curve definition

The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Dose-Duration Curve: The curve describing the relationship between dose (as the independent variable) and duration of drug effect (as the dependent variable, T). The slope of the curve is always positive, in contrast to

Pharmacodynamics definitions. Receptor desensitization

The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Desensitization: A decline in the response to repeated or sustained application of an agonist that is a consequence of changes at the level of the receptor. The copyright of the text is hold by […]

Pharmacodynamics. Cross tolerance definition

The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Cross-Tolerance: Tolerance to a drug that generalizes to drugs that are chemically related of that produce similar affects. For example, a patient who is tolerant to heroin will also exhibit cross-tolerance to morphine. The […]

Pharmacological efficacy and safety. Clinical therapeutic index definition.

The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Clinical Therapeutic Index: Some indices of relative safety or relative effectiveness cannot be defined explicitly and uniquely, although it is presumed that the same quantifiable and precise criteria of efficacy and safety will be […]

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