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Section XIX: Pharmacology

Introduction

This section provides generalized information on pharmacology and also describes drugs categorized by their common mode of action, rather than by clinical application. Information on pharmacology for specific clinical applications can be found in other sections of the Handbook that are organized according to area of rehabilitation practice.

Pharmacology material in this Handbook is predominantly derived from Ciccone, CD: Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, ed. 4. FA Davis, Philadelphia, 2007, with permission. Readers interested in understanding pharmacology and its relationship to rehabilitation are urged to examine this text. The authors wish to thank Dr. Ciccone for the use of his material and for his assistance.

General Principles

TABLE 19.1Common Drug Suffixes
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TABLE 19.1 Common Drug Suffixes
Drug Class Suffix Common Examples Primary Indication or Desired Effect
Angiotensin-Converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors -pril Captopril, enalapril, lisinopril Antihypertensive, congestive heart failure
Azole antifungals -azole Fluconazole, miconazole Fungal infections
Barbiturates -barbital Phenobarbital, secobarbital Sedative-hypnotic, antiseizure, anesthetic
Benzodiazepines -epam or -olam Diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, triazolam Sedative-hypnotic, antianxiety, antiseizure, anesthetic
Beta blockers -olol Metoprolol, propranolol Antihypertensive, antianginal, antiarrhythmic, congestive heart failure
Bronchodilators (adrenergic) -erol Albuterol, pirbuterol Bronchodilation
Bronchodilators (anticholinergic) -tropium Ipratropium, tiotropium Bronchodilation
Bronchodilators (xanthine derivatives) -phylline Theophylline, aminophylline Bronchodilation
Calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridine group) -ipine Nifedipine, nicardipine Antihypertensive, antianginal
Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors -coxib Celecoxib Analgesic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
Glucocorticoids -sone or -olone* Cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone, triamcinolone Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressants
Histamine H2-receptor blockers -idine Cimetidine, ranitidine Gastric ulcers
HIV protease inhibitors -avir Ritonavir, saquinavir HIV infection
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) -statin Pravastatin, simvastatin Hyperlipidemia
Local anesthetics -caine Lidocaine, bupivicaine Local anesthetic, antiarrhythmics
Low molecular weight heparins -parin Dalteparin, enoxaparin Anticoagulants
Oral antidiabetics (sulfonylurea group) -amide Chlorpropamide, tolbutamide Antidiabetic (type 2 diabetes mellitus)
Penicillin antibiotics -cillin Penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin Bacterial infections
Proton pump inhibitors -prazole Omeprazole, lansoprazole Gastric ulcers
Tetracycline antibiotics -cycline Tetracycline, doxycycline Bacterial infections
Various other antibacterials -micin or -mycin† Streptomycin, gentamicin, erythromycin Bacterial infections

From: Ciccone, CD: Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, ed. 4. FA Davis, Philadelphia, 2007, back cover, with permission.

*Some anabolic steroids also end with -olone, e.g., nandrolone, oxymetholone.

†Some antibiotics ending with -mycin or -rubicin are used as antineoplastics.

TABLE 19.2Routes of Drug Administration
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TABLE 19.2 Routes of Drug Administration
Route Advantages Disadvantages Examples
Enteral
Oral Easy, safe, convenient Limited or erratic absorption of some drugs; chance of first-pass inactivation in liver. Analgesics, sedative-hypnotics, many others
Sublingual Rapid onset; not subject to first-pass inactivation Drug must be easily absorbed from oral mucosa. Nitroglycerin
Rectal Alternative to oral route; local effect on rectal tissues Poor or incomplete absorption; chance of rectal irritation. Laxatives, suppository forms of other drugs
Parenteral
Inhalation Rapid onset; direct application for respiratory disorders; large surface area for systemic absorption Chance of tissue irritation; patient compliance sometimes a problem. General anesthetics, anti-asthmatic agents
Injection Provides more ...

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