Clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) is the science of quantifying how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in humans, and applying that knowledge to optimize therapy for individual patients. Its goals are to achieve target drug exposures that maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity, accounting for patient-specific factors such as organ function, age, genetics, comorbidities, and concomitant medications . This chapter provides…
Introduction Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists have redefined several aspects of endocrine and reproductive medicine by offering a more direct and immediate means of suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis than earlier therapies. While GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide, goserelin) initially occupy receptor sites and trigger a transient surge of gonadotropins before downregulating them, GnRH antagonists bind competitively to pituitary GnRH receptors and block their function without an…
Histamine H2 receptor antagonists are competitive blockers of gastric parietal-cell H2 receptors that suppress basal and stimulated acid secretion and are used for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, hypersecretory states, and selected prophylaxis indications, with famotidine preferred clinically because of potency and safety while ranitidine has been withdrawn for NDMA contamination concerns. The class reduces nocturnal and meal-stimulated acid via inhibition…
Introduction Alteplase (also referred to as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator or rt-PA) is…
Introduction: The Gatekeepers of Drug Development Preclinical trials are the cornerstone of…
Introduction to Antiplatelet Drugs What are Antiplatelet Drugs? Antiplatelet drugs are a…
Introduction Pilocarpine is a naturally occurring alkaloid primarily obtained from the leaves…
Introduction Brief Overview of Progesterone Progesterone is a crucial hormone in the…
Introduction Welcome to this all-encompassing guide to Diuretics and Antidiuretics. Whether you're…
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell…
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are hormone-containing medications taken to prevent pregnancy and for…
Immunomodulators are drugs that can either suppress or enhance the activity of…

Main Takeaway: A P-drug is a prescriber’s personal choice of first-line medicine for a specific indication, selected through a systematic and evidence-based process. Developing and maintaining a personal formulary of P-drugs streamlines decision-making, promotes rational therapeutics, and enhances patient safety. 1. Definition and Purpose of P-Drugs A P-drug (“personal drug”) is not merely the generic name of a medicine but encompasses: P-drugs serve as a clinician’s priority choices for given indications, reducing repetitive searches in daily practice and ensuring familiarity with each drug’s effects and side effects. 2. Relation to Essential Medicines and Guidelines 3. The Six-Step Process for Rational Prescribing The WHO Guide to Good Prescribing outlines a six-step model, with P-drug selection comprising Step 3: 4. Criteria for Selecting P-Drugs (The STEP Framework) When comparing drug options, apply the STEP criteria: Example: Selecting a P-Drug for Acute Amoebic Dysentery Among nitroimidazoles, tinidazole may be preferred over metronidazole due to similar efficacy and cost but greater suitability (shorter course, once- or twice-daily dosing). 5. Benefits of a P-Drug Formulary By systematically selecting and regularly reviewing P-drugs according to these principles, prescribers establish a robust foundation for safe, effective, and cost-conscious patient care.
Introduction Autacoids (from the Greek “autos,” meaning self, and “acos,” meaning remedy) are locally acting biological factors that exert diverse physiological and pathophysiological effects. Unlike classical hormones, which are synthesized in specific…
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