Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: Introduction

Published on 16/02/2015 by admin

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Last modified 15/09/2015

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Chapter 14 Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Introduction

A good grasp of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are vital for understanding the actions of orthodox drugs, herbs and supplements. Without such an understanding, you will at best give ineffectual remedies, at worst be responsible for a foreseeable adverse reaction.

Certainly, as orthodox medication becomes more diverse and complex in its actions, it is necessary to keep up to date with possible interactions. Studying the interactions of the chemical constituents of drugs, herbs and supplements with the body and each other should also include a good basic understanding of the physiology of the system involved. So no aspect of pharmacology should ever be studied in isolation.

The terms ‘pharmacodynamics’ and ‘pharmacokinetics’ are often used interchangeably. This is usually due to a lack of understanding of the definitions:

• Pharmacokinetics: studies what a body does to chemicals (in drugs, herbs, supplements).

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