Pharmacology Review

General Terminology

Pharmacokinetics- the branch of pharmacology that studies the fate of pharmacological substances in the body, as their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Pharmacodynamics-the study of the effect of a drug on the body and body systems.

Pharmacotherapeutics-the treatment of a medical disease and/or a mental disorder with drugs.

Palliative drug therapy-medications given only to reduce discomfort.

Latrogenic effect-adverse effect of a medication that creates a pathologic problem.

Prescription Medications

These medications are considered controlled substances and require a prescription from a physician. There are many kinds of prescription medications that massage therapists should be aware of. However, owing to limited space here, this chapter reviews only some of the most common medications taken by massage therapy patients. To help you better recognize these medications, the chapter also includes brand names when possible for many of the drugs discussed.

Pain medications-medications taken to reduce symptoms of pain; some medications in this category also reduce inflammation and decrease fevers.

            Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs, are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic (lowering an elevated body temperature and relieving pain without impairing consciousness) and, in higher doses, with anti-inflammatory effects (reducing inflammation). The term "non-steroidal" is used to distinguish these drugs from steroids, which (among a broad range of other effects) have a similar eicosanoid-depressing, anti-inflammatory action. As analgesics, NSAIDs are unusual in that they are non-narcotic.

            Salicylates-very widely used medication used for pain reduction, anti-inflammation, and fever control. Common medications in this group include acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin (Bayer). Salicylates are some of the earliest drugs for pain control and remain one of the least expensive OTC medications for pain.

Acetaminophen-medication used for pain control for general aches and pains and to reduce fever, particularly in children; does not reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen is found in Tylenol and Anacin.

            Narcotics-strong pain medications derived from the opium plant; do not reduce inflammation or reduce fever; can be addictive and produce drug dependency. Common drugs in this group include codeine, morphine, and meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol).

Recreational Drugs

These medications or chemicals are taken for recreational use, not for any medical reason. Drug abuse, which is considered different from the use of recreational drugs, can begin when someone uses drugs excessively or when someone begins avoiding responsibility as a result of heavy drug use. Some of the most widely use recreational drugs are discussed here.

Tobacco/nicotine-widely used drug in cigarettes, cigars, or as chewing tobacco; used by many to aid relaxation; also used as a stimulant to control weight and increase memory; creates a physical dependency by users; found to be an active causative agent for chronic pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, lung and throat cancers, and many other kinds of cancers.

Alcohol-widely used drug; used to aid relaxation; creates a physical dependency in users; alcoholism and alcohol abuse is considered to be a disease with both genetic and environmental causal factors; found to be an active causative agent for many diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, and high blood pressure.

Caffeine-one of the most widely used drugs; found naturally in chocolate, coffee, and tea; also added to soft drinks; used as a stimulant; considered habit forming but not addictive; not generally considered to be harmful in nature but does act as a diuretic.

Cocaine-popular but very addictive drug; the powdered form can be snorted through the nose or dissolved in water and injected; the crystal form ("crack cocaine") is heated or burned and the vapors inhaled; produces a euphoric and relaxed state; found to be a causative agent for heart attack, stroke, seizures, and respiratory arrest.

Heroin-popular but very addictive drug that can be snorted through the nose, injected, or smoked; processed from morphine, which derived from the opium plant; produces a euphoric and relaxed state; heroin abuse leads to fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, collapsed veins, and, particularly in users who inject the drug, infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

Marijuana-the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States; usually smoked as a cigarette ("joint") or in a bong; used to aid relaxation; creates a physical dependency in some users; effects of marijuana can include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, and increased heart rate; creates a risk for heart attack, and heavy use is linked to depression, anxiety, and personality disturbances.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-  Its unusual psychological effects, which include visuals of colored and crawling geometric patterns, and a sense of time distortion have made it one of the most widely known psychedelic drugs. It has been used mainly as an entheogen, a tool to supplement various practices for transcendence, including in meditation, psychonautics, art projects, and (formerly legal) psychedelic therapy, and as a recreational drug.

Methamphetamine- potent and addictive synthetic stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system (the spinal cord and brain). It was used widely for legal medical purposes throughout much of the 20th century. In the United States it was marketed under the brand names Methedrine and Desoxyn, and it was widely administered to industrial workers in Japan in the 1940s and '50s to increase their productivity.

Anabolic steroids- are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing properties, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair. Some health risks can be produced by long-term use or excessive doses of anabolic steroids. These effects include harmful changes in cholesterol levels (increased low-density lipoprotein and decreased high-density lipoprotein), acne, high blood pressure, liver damage, and dangerous changes in the structure of the left ventricle of the heart.

Herbs

Herbs have long been used as a form of treatment for many diseases and conditions. Though these substances are readily available as over-the-counter medications or from health food stores, they should be used carefully and cautiously. The following table lists the most commonly used herbs or natural supplements and the conditions they are used to treat.

Natural Supplements

Natural supplements contain vitamins and minerals found naturally in food. These supplements can be taken to replace dietary insufficiencies or to maximize the beneficial effects of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. The following table lists the most commonly used natural supplements and describes briefly how they are used within the body.