The two journeys: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Splits every drug question into two halves — this is the map the rest of the course hangs on.
Where this fitsConnects to 2 · Unlocks 2
- Connects to
- ADME: the drug's journey through the body — Pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) is Module 4.
- The synapse: release, binding and termination — Pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the brain) happens mostly at the synapse.
- Unlocks
- Primary effects and side effects — With both journeys in view, you can explain why a drug has side effects.
- ADME: the drug's journey through the body — Opens the whole pharmacokinetics module.
Orient
Pharmacology – study of drug action, including pharmacokinetics – how the body affects the drug – and pharmacodynamics – how the drug affects the body (brain). Psychopharmacology – study of how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and behavior – goes beyond just pharmacodynamics.
Course terms
Your professor's wording, word for word from the slides. Learn the term and this definition — the explanation underneath is only there to help it make sense.
- Pharmacology
“Pharmacology – study of drug action”Slides 01, p. 3
The umbrella field. It includes pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Pharmacokinetics
“Pharmacokinetics – how the body affects the drug”Slides 01, p. 3
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) — the body acting on the drug.
- Pharmacodynamics
“Pharmacodynamics – how the drug affects the body (brain)”Slides 01, p. 3
The drug acting on its targets — receptors, transporters, enzymes.
- Psychopharmacology
“Psychopharmacology – study of how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and *behavior*”Slides 01, p. 3
The emphasis on behavior is the professor's: it goes “beyond just pharmacodynamics”.
From your course: Course slides 01, p. 3
Tip: the ← and → keys move through the lesson.
Full lesson: Pharmacology, kinetics and dynamics