What does it mean?
Pharmacology is a science subject that deals with the origin, nature, chemistry, uses, and effects of drugs and medication.
However, in order to understand pharmacology better, it would be useful to know the basics of biochemistry and physiology. Pharmacology is a broad topic covering all areas including 'what the body does to every drug' and 'what every drug does to the body'.
Stop! Did you digest that, or were you pondering what that is all about! Well, let's take you further…
Why is it important to learn about pharmacology?
Drugs are powerful tools for all medical doctors. Without drugs, you will probably be screaming even during a minor surgery, what more if it is a major one! Imagine, if there is a world without drugs, you'd probably be listening to a wailing world!
Knowing 'what drug to use', 'when to use' and 'how much to use' is naturally very important to a medical doctor.
The reputation of 'drugs' has been tainted due to the abuse of drugs. In order to disassociate from that reputation, the word 'medicine' is sometimes used instead. Many times, victims of drug abuse are ignorant of what they are taking.
Drug addicts tend to begin with a single dose and derive pleasure from that. Not knowing the side effects and mid to long term effects of the drug, the poor souls inadvertently continue to use it and eventually the usage becomes excessive.
In time, they get addicted to the drug; not knowing that it has what they called a 'withdrawal effect'. That means when you have started taking the drug and you stop taking it, you will feel restless and painful all over.
On the other hand, you need not be worried about the drugs given to you by your doctor (provided he/she is a qualified one, of course!). Nevertheless, if case you desire to, you can always query your doctor on what type of drugs that are prescribed to you. Not all drugs have withdrawal effects.
There are probably thousands of drugs that available today. New ones are coming out every now and then. It is impossible to remember each one of them. It is also impossible for the doctors to remember every drug that exist in this world. To make it easier to remember or to keep a record of these drugs, we tend to categorize these drugs. Say, whether they fall under the category of antibiotics or painkillers for example. Then under each category, there are similarities and dissimilarities between each drug. Your doctor will prescribe the ones that are most suitable for you and naturally, the ones that he is most confident with.
Due to the genetic differences that exist within each of us, some drugs may work on you but may not work on others. Some drugs may benefit you but may cause harm to another e.g. allergic reaction.
Usually before prescribing any form of medication, a doctor, if he is unfamiliar with your medical history, will query you for any history of allergies etc. Do let him know beforehand, because it can affect the type of drugs that are prescribed to you!
Therefore, precision and individualization are very much required in order to ensure that the right drugs or perhaps I should say 'medicine', is given to the right person, at the right time, at the right dose and at the right place.
More interesting reads on pharmacology:
(Basic to mid-level: suitable for public and medical students):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmacology
If you need to find out more about a specific drug, use the search engine provided by:
http://www.rxlist.com/
Consumer health information related to drugs by the US government, you could click on to the following:
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/default.htm
