for drugs to work they must bind to a receptor

receptor can be a molecule within a cell or on the cell membrane

once drug binds to the receptor, it initiates a transduction response- movement of the drug into the cell

exist so that a biological response can be regulated through an endogenous compound- initiates and blocks response

based on 

-dugs potency

-patients age

-patients condition

-the larger the dose, the more receptors will be occupied

-this occurs up to a point(steady state concentration)

-325 mg tablets

-typical dose=2 tablets every 4 hours

may change how the body handles one or both of the drugs

-antacids reduce the body's ability to absorb acetaminophen from intestine

-some antibiotics may accelerate the metabolism of oral contraceptives

can be additive or inhibitive

-additive efects occur when someone takes two drugs of the same type at the same time

-effect of drugs add together

-inhibitory effects mar occur with the combination of two unrelated drugs

-range from a side effect to hypersensitivity

-side effects-predictable

drowsiness

loss of appetite

-chronic use of drug

-tylenol-liver damage

alcohol with asprin of other NSAIDs may cause GI bleeding

-chronic alcohol consumption and acetaminophen can cause liver damage

effective for alleviating various types of acute inflammatory pain, including myalgia, dysmenorrhea, and headache

ibuprofin and naproxen more effective than asprin for dysmenorrhea- decrease frequency and intensity of uterine contractions and relieve pain

reduce pain, swelling, and stiffnes and improve grip strength and mobility

NSAIDs do not affect the underlying disease

effective for reducing fever

-dosage required for pain relief or fever reduction is LESS than that required for antiinflammatory effect

cause of GI side effects- gastric ulceration, bleeding, perforation)

-inhibition of gastric prostaglandin production

-risk of GI ulceration and hemorrahge is higher with asprin than with other NSAIDs

patients with history of GI lesions

-GI effects may be minimized by taking NSAIDs with misoprostol or omeprazol

-NSAIDs with food or enteric-coated preparations

-discontinue if patients develop GI ulcers

-acetaminophen or nonacetyl salicylate may be used as an alternative