Drug Names

Chemical name: chemical makeup of a drug; often very complicated
ex) N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP)


Generic name: also official, approved, or nonproprietary name; not protected by copyright
ex)Acetaminophen



Proprietary name: also brand or trade name; assigned by manufacturers and protected by copyright
ex)Tylenol

Introduction To Pharmacology

Pharmacology: the study of drugs and their actions and effects in body systems

Pharmacodynamics: the study of biochemical and physiologic drug effects, and the mechanisms of drug action

Pharmacokinetics: the study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion

Pharmacognosy: the study of drugs derived from herbal or natural sources

Pharmacotherapeutics: the study of how drugs are best used and which drug is appropriate for a specific disease

Toxicology: the study of poisons and poisonings