S. Emollients and protectives : These are drug preparations used on the skin and mucous membrane for a soothing effect. 1. Emollients are fatty preparations that soften the skin. An example is cold cream. 2. Protectives are preparations that form a film on the skin. An example is compound tincture of benzoin. T. Inhalants : These are drugs that are inhaled and absorbed through the lungs. An example is aromatic spirits of ammonia. U. Sedatives, tranquilizers and hypnotics : 1. Sedatives are drugs that have a calming, quieting effect and, in large doses, induce sleep. An example is phenobarbital. 2. Tranquilizers are drugs that have a sedative effect that is characterized by relief of neuromuscular tension and anxiety without producing sleep. An example is chlorpromazine hydrochloride. 3. Hypnotics are drugs that induce sleep. Many drugs that have a sedative effect in small doses have a hypnotic effect when given in larger doses; for example, phenobarbital. V. Stimulants : Stimulants are drugs that cause an increase in the activity of an organ or a system. Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, decreases drowsiness and fatigue. Digitalis, a heart stimulant, strengthens heart muscle contraction. W. Vasoconstrictors : These are drugs that constrict the walls of blood, particularly peripheral vessels. Epinephrine is an example of a powerful systemic vasoconstrictor. the digestive system. Some drugs used for specific gastrointestinal disorders act through the autonomic nervous system and have a therapeutic effect by decreasing smooth muscle movement and gastric acid secretion. C. Respiratory tract : The drugs that affect respiration include inhalants, stimulants, expectorants and depressants. D. Heart and blood vessels : Heart stimulants, vasodilators and vasoconstrictors are among the drugs that affect this system. E. Nervous system : Drugs classified as analgesics, anesthetics, narcotics, hypnotics, sedatives and tranquilizers act on the central nervous system. evaporate. Thus, the drug is kept in contact with the body for a long period. Ointments are not used on discharging wounds because they prevent free drainage. C. Suppositories : These are used for insertion into a body cavity, for example, in the rectum, urethra or vagina. The drug is mixed with a solid inert base that melts at body temperature. The mixture is shaped into a cone or cylinder that can be easily inserted. An example of a suppository base is cocoa butter. After the base melts in the cavity, the active drug comes in contact with the cavity’s mucous membrane. If the nature of the drug is such that it is absorbed through the membrane, a systemic effect may be produced. An example of a drug that produces a systemic effect when administered as a rectal suppository is aspirin. Internal administration Drugs may be given internally by several methods. When administered internally, the effect may be upon the whole body, in one of the systems, or only at the site where the
M. Antipyretics : These are drugs used to reduce the temperature during a fever. (They do NOT affect normal body temperature.) An example is aspirin. N. Antiseptics and germicides : 1. Antiseptics are chemical agents that inhibit the growth and development of microorganisms. They may be applied to living tissue. An example is benzethonium chloride solution 1:1000. 2. Germicides are chemical agents that are capable of destroying organisms (not necessarily spores). They may be applied both to living tissue and to inanimate objects for purposes of disinfection. An example is detergent iodine solution (iodophors). O. Astringents : These are drugs that produce shrinkage of the skin or mucous membrane and cause a decrease in secretions. Astringents help to protect tissue from irritating substances. An example is zinc oxide ointment. P. Cathartics : Cathartics quicken and increase evacuation of the bowels. A laxative is a mild cathartic; a purgative is a stronger or more drastic cathartic. Dosage is frequently the determining factor in whether a cathartic will have a laxative or a purgative action. An example of a laxative is senna pod extract tablets. Q. Counterirritants : These are drugs that cause irritation of the skin, thus increasing circulation and relieving inflammation in the structures beneath the skin. Liniments are counterirritants. An example of a drug with counterirritant action is methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen). R. Diuretics : These drugs are used to increase the production of urine. An example is acetazolamide. Classification by systemic action This major classification groups drugs according to the body systems that they affect. They may be applied directly to the system (as in the case of antacids that are administered directly into the gastrointestinal tract to relieve a condition in the digestive system), or they may be administered via one system and affect another (as in the case of a heart stimulant that is administered orally). A. Skin and mucous membranes : The drugs, usually applied locally, that affect the skin or mucous membranes are antiseptics, local anesthetics, counterirritants, antifungals, antiparasitics and local vasoconstrictors. B. Gastrointestinal tract : Antacids and cathartics are among the drugs used to exert their main action on General administration Administration of drugs and medicines deals with the various ways by which they are applied to the body for local effect, or introduced into the body for systemic or for general effect. Some drugs may be used either way. External administration Topical (external) application of a drug is usually made for the local effect it will have on the skin or mucous membrane of a circumscribed area. Sometimes such an application is made for its effect in underlying tissues. The preparations most commonly used are: A. Solutions : These are applied locally as antiseptics, cleaning agents, astringents, vasoconstrictors, counterirritants or emollients (soothing agents). Solutions are also used as wet dressings, mouthwashes, gargles, irrigations and soaks. Since solutions evaporate, the effect produced is often temporary. B. Ointments : These provide a means of applying drugs for a prolonged local effect. The drug is mixed in a fatty material such as lard, petrolatum or lanolin, which becomes soft or liquid when warm but does not
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Book Code: MIL1224
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