Chapter 33.4, Problem 4MI

Summary Introduction

To summarize:

Four ways drugs can act on the body.

Introduction:

The term used for action of drugs on the human body is pharmacodynamics. The term used for body’s response on receiving the drug is pharmacokinetics. All drugs act in a specific manner in the body. There are two types of drugs, agonists and antagonists.

Explanation of Solution

The four ways of drug action are as follows:

1. Drug-receptor interactions − The action of drugs on cell membrane is chemically or physically. There are specific receptors for drugs on cell membrane.

2. Enzyme inhibition − Drugs act on cell by inhibiting the biochemical reaction that is catalyzed by the enzyme. For this antimetabolites are used that can suppress gene functions as well.

3. Ion-channels − Drugs act on the ion-channels and inhibit the transport of ions across the cell membrane. This can suppress many activities inside the cell.

4. Transporter proteins − Drugs can inhibit the action of transporter proteins. These proteins carry ions across the cell membrane.