Pharmacological agent

Pharmacological agent

A Pharmacological agent (pronunciation: /ˌfɑːrməkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈeɪdʒənt/) is a substance that is used to prevent, diagnose, alleviate, or cure disease in humans or animals. The term is derived from the Greek words pharmakon (meaning "drug") and logos (meaning "study").

Types of Pharmacological agents

Pharmacological agents can be classified into several categories, including:

• Antibiotics: These are used to treat bacterial infections.
• Analgesics: These are used to relieve pain.
• Antivirals: These are used to treat viral infections.
• Antifungals: These are used to treat fungal infections.
• Antidepressants: These are used to treat depression and other mental health conditions.
• Antihypertensives: These are used to lower high blood pressure.
• Antineoplastics: These are used to treat cancer.

Mechanism of action

Pharmacological agents work by interacting with specific receptors in the body. These interactions can either stimulate or inhibit the normal functioning of the receptor, leading to a therapeutic effect.

Side effects

Like all drugs, pharmacological agents can have side effects. These can range from mild (such as nausea or dizziness) to severe (such as organ damage or death). The risk of side effects can be minimized by using the lowest effective dose and monitoring the patient closely.

See also

• Pharmacology
• Drug discovery
• Drug development
• Clinical trial
• Pharmaceutical industry

References

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