Pharmacologically
Pharmacology is the branch of biology that studies the interaction of drugs with living organisms to understand their effects, therapeutic uses, and to develop new medicines. It is a multidisciplinary science that combines principles from pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
History[edit | edit source]
The study of pharmacology dates back to the earliest civilizations, with evidence of medicinal use of plants and herbs found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman texts. However, the discipline as we know it today began to take shape in the 19th century with the advent of modern chemistry and biology.
Branches of Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Pharmacology is divided into several branches, each focusing on a specific aspect of drug interaction and effect.
- Clinical Pharmacology: This branch deals with the study of drugs in humans. It involves the clinical use of drugs and the monitoring of their effects.
- Pharmacodynamics: This branch studies the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body or on microorganisms or parasites within or on the body.
- Pharmacokinetics: This branch deals with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.
- Toxicology: This branch studies the harmful or toxic effects of drugs.
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry: This branch involves the design and synthesis of new drug molecules.
Drug Discovery and Development[edit | edit source]
The process of drug discovery involves the identification of candidates, synthesis, characterization, screening, and assays for therapeutic efficacy. Once a compound has shown its value in these tests, it will begin the process of drug development where it is subjected to more extensive studies.
Pharmacological Research[edit | edit source]
Pharmacological research involves the use of in vitro (testing on cells or tissues) and in vivo (testing on whole organisms) methods to understand drug interactions at the molecular level, the cellular level, and the level of the whole organism.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
