View source for Clinical pharmacology

{{SI}}

'''Editor-In-Chief:''' Mohammed Abdulwahab AlKhateeb, M.D. [mailto:drmalkhateeb@yahoo.com]

{{EJ}}

==Overview==

'''Clinical pharmacology''' is the science of [[medications|drugs]] and their [[clinical]] use. It is underpinned by the basic science of [[pharmacology]], with added focus on the ''application'' of pharmacological principles and methods in the real world. It has a broad scope, from the discovery of new target [[molecules]], to the effects of drug usage in whole [[population]]s.


Clinical pharmacologists usually have a rigorous [[doctor of medicine|medical]] and scientific training which enables them to evaluate [[evidence]] and produce new data through well designed [[clinical trial|studies]]. At least, that is the theory.


==Branches==

* '''[[Pharmacodynamics]]''' - finding out what drugs do to the body and how. This includes not just the [[cell]]ular and [[molecule|molecular]] aspects, but also more relevant clinical measurements. For example, not just the biology of [[salbutamol]], a [[beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist]], but the [[peak flow meter|peak flow rate]] of both healthy volunteers and real patients.

* '''[[Pharmacokinetics]]''' - what happens to the drug while in the body. This involves the body systems for handling the drug, usually divided into the following classifcation:

** Absorption
** Distribution
** Metabolism
** Elimination

* '''[[Medical prescription|Rational Prescribing]]''' - using the right medication, at the right dose, using the right route and frequency of administration for the patient, and stopping the drug appropropriately.

* '''[[Adverse effect (medicine)| Adverse Drug Effects]]'''

* '''[[Toxicology]]'''

* '''[[Drug interaction]]s'''

*  '''[[Drug development]]''' - usually culminating in some form of [[clinical trial]].



{{pharma-stub}}
[[Category:Pharmacology]]


[[de:Klinische Pharmakologie]]
[[id:Farmakologi klinis]]
[[ru:Клиническая фармакология]]