Clinical pharmacology

Clinical pharmacology is the science of 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 populations.

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Clinical pharmacologists usually have a rigorous medical and scientific training which enables them to evaluate evidence and produce new data through well designed studies. At least, that is the theory.

Branches

• Pharmacodynamics - finding out what drugs do to the body and how. This includes not just the cellular and 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 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

• 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 Drug Effects

• Toxicology

• Drug interactions

• Drug development - usually culminating in some form of clinical trial.