Clinical Pharmacology - Branches

Branches

  • Pharmacodynamics - finding out what drugs do to the body and how. This includes not just the cellular and molecular aspects, but also more relevant clinical measurements. For example, not just the biology of salbutamol, a beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist, but the peak flow rate of both healthy volunteers and real patients.
  • Pharmacokinetics - what happens to the drug while in the body. This involves the body systems for handling the drug, usually divided into the following classification:
    • Absorption
    • Distribution
    • Metabolism
    • Excretion.
  • Rational Prescribing - using the right medication, at the right dose, using the right route and frequency of administration for the patient, and stopping the drug appropriately.
  • Adverse Drug Effects
  • Toxicology
  • Drug interactions
  • Drug development - usually culminating in some form of clinical trial.

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