Pharmacy Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Pharmacy distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/pharmacy/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

The study of how the body processes a drug through four phases: Absorption (drug entry into the bloodstream), Distribution (transport to tissues), Metabolism (chemical transformation, primarily in the liver), and Excretion (removal from the body, primarily by the kidneys). These processes determine the drug's concentration at the site of action over time.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body and their mechanisms of action. It examines the relationship between drug concentration and therapeutic or toxic effect, including concepts like receptor binding, dose-response curves, and drug potency versus efficacy.

Drug Interactions

Situations where the effect of one drug is altered by the presence of another drug, food, beverage, or supplement. Interactions can be pharmacokinetic (one drug affects the ADME of another) or pharmacodynamic (drugs have additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects at the site of action).

Bioavailability

The fraction of an administered dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation in an unchanged, active form. Intravenous administration has 100% bioavailability, while oral drugs may have reduced bioavailability due to incomplete absorption and first-pass metabolism in the liver.

Therapeutic Index

A ratio that compares the blood concentration at which a drug becomes toxic to the concentration at which it is therapeutically effective (TD50/ED50). A narrow therapeutic index means there is a small margin between an effective dose and a toxic dose, requiring careful monitoring.

Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

A group of patient-centered services provided by pharmacists to optimize therapeutic outcomes. MTM includes comprehensive medication reviews, identifying and resolving drug therapy problems, patient education, and coordination with prescribers to improve medication adherence and safety.

Compounding

The process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a customized medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. Compounding is performed when commercially available dosage forms do not meet a patient's specific requirements, such as allergy to an excipient or need for a non-standard dose or route.

Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR)

An unwanted or harmful reaction experienced following the administration of a drug at normal therapeutic doses. ADRs are classified as Type A (predictable, dose-dependent, related to pharmacological action) or Type B (unpredictable, dose-independent, often immunological or idiosyncratic).

Pharmacogenomics

The study of how an individual's genetic makeup affects their response to drugs. Variations in genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and drug targets can result in different patients responding very differently to the same medication in terms of efficacy and toxicity.

Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP)

A set of professional standards and guidelines that define the quality of pharmacy services. GPP encompasses ensuring medication quality, providing patient-centered care, maintaining accurate records, promoting rational drug use, and upholding ethical standards in all pharmacy operations.

Key Terms at a Glance

Absorption:The process by which a drug moves from its site of administration into the systemic circulation.

Adverse Drug Reaction:An unwanted, harmful effect that occurs at normal therapeutic doses of a medication, classified as Type A (predictable) or Type B (unpredictable).

Bioavailability:The percentage of an administered drug dose that reaches the systemic circulation in its active, unchanged form.

Bioequivalence:The demonstration that a generic drug product delivers the same amount of active ingredient at the same rate as the brand-name reference product.

Clearance:The volume of plasma from which a drug is completely removed per unit time, reflecting the body's efficiency at eliminating the drug.

Compounding:The practice of preparing customized medications by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to meet the specific needs of an individual patient.

Controlled Substance:A drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, and use are regulated by the government due to its potential for abuse or dependence, classified into Schedules I-V.

Cytochrome P450:A superfamily of heme-containing enzymes primarily located in the liver that are responsible for the oxidative metabolism of most drugs.

Dosage Form:The physical form in which a drug is produced and administered, such as tablet, capsule, injection, cream, inhaler, or suppository.

Drug Interaction:A change in a drug's effect when administered with another drug, food, supplement, or substance, which can increase toxicity or reduce efficacy.

Excretion:The process of removing a drug and its metabolites from the body, primarily through the kidneys (urine) but also via bile, lungs, sweat, and breast milk.

First-Pass Metabolism:The initial metabolism of an orally administered drug by the liver and gut wall enzymes before it reaches systemic circulation, which can significantly reduce bioavailability.

Formulary:A list of prescription drugs approved for use and coverage within a particular healthcare system, insurance plan, or institution.

Half-Life:The time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%, used to determine dosing intervals and predict drug accumulation.

Medication Error:Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, including prescribing, dispensing, and administration errors.

Get study tips in your inbox

We'll send you evidence-based study strategies and new cheat sheets as they're published.

We'll notify you about updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.