Clinical pharmacology

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Clinical pharmacology is the study of pharmacology in relation to clinical science. It is a science which deals with the effects of drugs in healthy volunteers and in patients. In the evaluation process the action and adverse affects of drugs can be measured and compared.

[edit] Primary aspects

The aspects of clinical pharmacology are summarized:

• Pharmacokinetics - what happens to the drug while in the body. Affects target dose level.
  • Absorption and Bioavailability
  • Distribution (affected by protein binding)
  • Metabolization and Elimination
• Pharmacodynamics - what effects the drug has on parts of the body. (Membrane action or receptor interaction)
  • CNS activity (desired or undesired effects)
  • Psychoactivity (depressant, stimulant, hallucinogenic effects)
• Toxicity, Carcinogenesis, Drug interaction
• Patient history, genetic influence, diseases or other conditions present

The vast majority of drugs are intended to have receptor interaction, and so affect neurotransmitter systems. - (see also Transmembrane receptor)