Parasympatholytics/Cholinergic antagonists
Introduction Parasympatholytics, also known as anticholinergics, are a class of drugs that inhibit the actions of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on parasympathetic nerve endings. These drugs can be classified based on…
Atropine/Belladonna/Datura Poisoning: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
1 · Overview Atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine are tropane alkaloids concentrated in plants of the Solanaceae family—most notably Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) and Datura stramonium (jimson-weed). These compounds act as…
Parasympathomimetics/Cholinergic agonists
Introduction Parasympathomimetics — also referred to as cholinergic agonists or muscarinic agonists—are a class of medications that enhance or mimic the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS is one subdivision…
Sympathomimetics/Adrenergic agonists
1 · Introduction Sympathomimetic agents—or adrenergic agonists—comprise a pharmacological super-family that mimics or amplifies the actions of endogenous catecholamines (noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine) at α1, α2, β1, β2, β3 and…
Clinical Pharmacokinetics: From Principles to Individualized Dosing
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…
Adverse Drug Reactions – ABCDE classification
1 · Introduction Drugs are double-edged swords: while they alleviate symptoms, modify disease course and often save lives, they also generate harm. This harm can arise from adverse drug reactions…
Drug Interactions
Introduction Drug interactions are a central topic in clinical pharmacology, profoundly impacting therapeutic efficacy, safety, and patient outcomes. While drug interactions are often discussed in terms of adverse effects or…
Pharmacodynamics: Understanding What Drug Does to the Body
Pharmacodynamics is a branch of pharmacology that focuses on the study of how drugs interact with the body at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels to produce their effects. It…
Pharmacokinetics – What the body does to Drug?
Pharmacokinetics, derived from the Greek words 'pharmakon' meaning drug, and 'kinesis' meaning movement, is the science that elucidates what the body does to a drug following administration. Pharmacokinetics is the…
The Comprehensive Guide to Drug Discovery, Development, and Clinical Trials: Everything You Need to Know
Drug discovery and development is an intricate and multifaceted process that encompasses identifying, designing, and testing prospective new drugs. The primary objective is to discover secure and effective treatments for…
