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University of Phoenix NSG 507 Social Justice and Information Systems for Population Health - Week 1 Pharamcodynamics and Pharamcokinetics

Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with the body. It is broadly divided into two main areas: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This paper discusses these two concepts, highlighting their distinctions and providing examples to illustrate their effects within the body.

The Difference Between Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics refers to the movement of drugs through the body, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. In contrast, pharmacodynamics focuses on the body’s biological response to drugs, analyzing the effects drugs have once they interact with the body.

Understanding Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics with Examples
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics work together to determine the clinical effects of drug therapy. Pharmacokinetics, often described as “what the body does to the drug,” quantifies the journey of the drug through the body. Pharmacodynamics, described as “what the drug does to the body,” examines the biochemical and physiological effects of the drug.

For example, a patient admitted to a rehabilitation center to overcome heroin addiction was prescribed methadone. The nurse administering the methadone observed the patient’s physiological and behavioral responses. Heroin’s rapid onset and short duration in the brain created a cycle of euphoria, crash, and craving, characteristic of addiction. By administering methadone twice daily, the nurse achieved a gradual onset of action and stable drug levels in the brain, reducing the patient’s desire for heroin and suppressing its euphoric effects. Over time, the patient’s physiological and behavioral abnormalities subsided, showcasing the role of pharmacodynamics.

In terms of pharmacokinetics, when the patient injected heroin, it rapidly entered the bloodstream, creating an immediate rush followed by a crash. With methadone treatment, taken orally at 60 mg once a day, the drug was absorbed through the gastrointestinal system, distributed via enzymes, metabolized by the liver, and eliminated through the urine. This slower process provided a stable therapeutic effect, supporting the patient’s recovery.

References
Principles of Pharmacokinetics by Mark J. Ratain MD and William K. Plunkett, Jr. PhD. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK12815

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