Pharmacology of palliative medicine.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the concepts of both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and how it applies to palliative medicine.


METHODS
Research and review articles and textbooks.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients who have an illness that requires palliation are elderly, have co-morbid conditions, and are on many medications. Both age and disease can alter the way drugs are handled by the body (pharmacokinetics) and how they affect the body (pharmacodynamics).


CONCLUSIONS
The oncology nurse, armed with the correct knowledge about medications, can have an important inmpact on improving the patient's care, safety, and quality of life.
Mihelic
Ronald A
RA
Emory University Hospital, Decatur, GA 30033, USA. ron_mihlec@emoryhealthcare.org
D001682:Biological Availability; D015897:Comorbidity; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000451:nursing; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D010600:Pharmacology; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System