Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Anticancer Drugs : An overview – Classification, Drugs

Introduction Definition– Anticancer drug, also called antineoplastic drug, any drug that is effective in the treatment of malignant, or cancerous, disease. There are several major classes of anticancer drugs; these include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, natural products, and hormones. The anticancer drugs either kill cancer cells or modify their growth. However, selectivity of majority of drugs […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Lines of Treatment in Allopathy : An overview

Drugs are classified on the basis of Lines of Treatment according to the particular patient. Classified as 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines of treatment – First Line treatment Also called as Initial or Primary treatment. Any drug which is best suitable for a particular disease, should be considered in 1st line treatment. Other drugs for […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Antimicrobial drugs : Types and their Side effects

Antimicrobial drugs are chemical substances of natural or synthetic origin that suppress the growth or destroy, micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa and viruses. A drug used to treat a microbial infection. “Antimicrobial” is a general term that refers to a group of drugs that includes antibiotics, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antivirals. What are Antimicrobial Agents? […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Antimicrobial agents (AMAs) : Adverse Effects, Drugs

SULFONAMIDES Sulfonamides were the first antimicrobial agents (AMAs) effective against pyogenic bacterial infections. Sulfonamido-chrysoidine (Prontosil Red) was one of the dyes used to treat experimental streptococcal infection in mice and found it to be highly effective. Subsequently, an infant was cured of staphylo- coccal septicaemia by protonsil. Short acting (4-8 hr): Sulfadiazine Intermediate acting (8 […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Antibiotics : Mechanism of Action, Uses, Side effects

Antibiotics are substances which are derived from one microorganism in order to kill another microorganism. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. But, antibiotics are not helpful against viral infections. Pathogenic bacteria can be killed by synthetic components at low concentration. Examples: Ampicillin and amoxicillin. Penicillin :- Penicillin was the first antibiotic to […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Haematinics : An overview – Iron and their Drugs

Definition :- ‘Haematinics’ means the formation of blood, and are used for treatment of Anemia. Anaemia occurs when the balance between production and destruction of RBCs is disturbed by: (a) Blood loss (acute or chronic) (b) Impaired red cell formation due to: Deficiency of essential factors, i.e. iron, vitamin B12, folic acid. (c) Increased destruction […]

Categories
Kriya Sharir Modern Pharmacology

Maturation Factors : Vit B12 and Folic Acid

INTRODUCTION : Deficiency of Vit B12 and Folic acid (Maturation factors), which are B group vitamins, results in megaloblastic anaemia characterized by the presence of large red cell precursors in bone marrow and their large and shortlived progeny in peripheral blood. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are therefore called Maturation factors. The basic defect is […]

Categories
Kriya Sharir Modern Pharmacology

Erythropoietin : An overview – Uses and Side effects

Introduction Erythropoietin (EPO) is a sialoglycoprotein hormone (MW 34000) produced by peritubular cells of the kidney that is essential for normal erythropoiesis. NOTE – Erythropoiesis (from Greek ‘erythro’ meaning “red” and ‘poiesis’ meaning “to make” is the process which produces red blood cells (erythrocytes), which is the development from erythropoietic stem cell to mature red […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Laxatives : Classification of Drugs and their Side effects

INTRODUCTION Laxatives are drugs that promote evacuation of bowels. A distinction is sometimes made according to the intensity of action. (a) Laxative or aperient: milder action, elimination of soft but formed stools. (b) Purgative or cathartic: stronger action resulting in more fluid evacuation. Many drugs in low doses act as laxative and in larger doses […]

Categories
Modern Pharmacology

Anti diuretic

Introduction An Anti diuretic is a substance that helps to control fluid balance in an human’s body by reducing urination or opposing diuresis. Its effects are opposite that of a diuretic. Anti Diuretic Drugs :- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, Vasopressin), Desmopressin, Lypressin, Terlipressin Thiazide diuretics, Amiloride. Miscellaneous: Indomethacin, Chlorpropamide, Carbamazepine. 1. ANTI DIURETIC HORMONE (Argenine Vasopressin-AVP) […]