Clinical pharmacology is the study of pharmacology in relation to clinical science. It is a science which deals with the effects of drugs in healthy volunteers and in patients. In the evaluation process the action and adverse affects of drugs can be measured and compared.

Primary aspects

• Pharmacokinetics - what happens to the drug while in the body. Affects target dose level.
  • Absorption and Bioavailability
  • Distribution (affected by protein binding)
  • Metabolization and Elimination
• Pharmacodynamics - what effects the drug has on parts of the body. (Membrane action or receptor interaction)
  • CNS activity (desired or undesired effects)
  • Psychoactivity (depressant, stimulant, hallucinogenic effects)
• Toxicity, Carcinogenesis, Drug interaction
• Patient history, genetic influence, diseases or other conditions present

The vast majority of drugs are intended to have receptor interaction, and so affect neurotransmitter systems. - (see also Transmembrane receptor)

Клиническая фармакология