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“What is there that is not poison? All things are poison and nothing without poison. Solely the dose determines a thing is not a poison.”
-Paracelsus 1500AD(from: philosophia magna brickmann, cologne, 1567)
Toxicology is also the study of adverse effects of drugs. Since the same substance can be a drug or a poison, depending on the dosage. All drugs or chemical can cause injury to all individuals if it goes over to the limitation of use. A drug has desired effect can be maintained if proper precautions is monitored.
Toxicity is the measure of how harmful subastance is causing injury, illness or even death to living organism.
They are factors affecting the toxicity the dose, age of individual, immune system, genetic makeup; length and frequency of exposure they have types of toxic agent that can cause harm to living organisms the Mutagen;which cause defects on DNA structures, Teratogens; chemicals can cause birth dis-formalities to fetus or embryo (e.g Alcohols), Carcinogens, which cause cancer and tumors leads to death.
They are factors affecting the toxicity the dose, age of individual, immune system, genetic makeup; length and frequency of exposure they have types of toxic agent that can cause harm to living organisms the Mutagen;which cause defects on DNA structures, Teratogens; chemicals can cause birth dis-formalities to fetus or embryo (e.g Alcohols), Carcinogens, which cause cancer and tumors leads to death.
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| Trace amounts of chemicals in the environment may or may not be harmful. |
Toxicology can be studied in different fields. The environmental toxicology, forensic toxicology, industrial toxicology, clinical toxicology, descriptive toxicology, forensic toxicology, mechanistic toxicology and food toxicology.
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Environmental toxicology is concerned with the study of chemical substances that contaminate basic needs like water, food, and environment like soil or even the atmosphere. it focuses in toxic substances that could enter to water sources such as rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans. does toxic substances could infect the living organism such as animals, plants and humans.
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| Photo Credit: http://fs-collective.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html |
Food toxicology is the study concerning the adequate consumption of food. It involves ensuring the proper safety of food even during preparation to avoid any cause of illness or infection. Food is important for each individual consumption that will boost our energy and development. Some people who prepare food add on additives to it to improve taste, texture and even smell. but, does all additives are safe to humans and animals?
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Clinical Toxicology deals with the study of illnesses and diseases that are associated to exposure to toxic substances like chemicals and radiations.
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| Photo Credit: http://winnersdelhinews.com/2012/04/should-animal-experimentation-be-minimised/ |
Credit by youtube.com. Video explains how forensic toxicology works.
Route of administration of drugs are important for the drugs to have the desired effectiveness. drug can be administered through systemic or locally. medication-administration should be considered. They are divided into two drugs the Enteral, Parenteral and inhalational. Enteral drugs are drugs can be given oral, sublingual and rectal. Parenteral drugs Intravenous, Intramuscular, Subcutaneous, Intra-articular, Epidural and Intrathecal.
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| Photo Credit: lifescrip.com Oral administration of drugs |
Oral drugs are in a form of liquid or solid dosage forms. They are most common, economical, safe, convenient and absorption is good due to extensive surface area. Some oral drugs are slow to action and absorption to have their desired effects. Irritable
and unpalatable drugs can not be given. Not utilized in unconscious and
uncooperative patients.
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| Photo credit: medicalassistedtreatment.org Sublingual Administration of drugs |
Sublingual drugs are in a liquid or solid forms kept below the tongue for a short period of time for it to be absorbed in the oral mucosa (e.g calcibloc, drugs for hypertensive patients). It is economical, quick termination of undesired drug effects by spitting remaining drugs. Avoid the first pass effect.
| Photo credit: findrxonline.com Rectal Adimininstration of drugs |
Rectal administered drugs. They are also in a liquid and solid forms. route can be administered via rectum. It produce local or systemic effects. mostly administered to children and unconscious patients.Rectal drugs has higher therapeutic concentrations of drugs.
Parenteral drugs are the fastest drug route of administration. They are rapid onset of action Drugs can be given to unconscious patients.Accuracy of dosage is ensured. First pass effect is
avoided. Drugs producing gastric irritation can be given. Parenteral drugs
that are not absorbed from Gastrointestinal tract. Drugs destroyed by
gastric acid can be given can be given in presence of vomiting and diarrhea.Parenteral are less safe and produce side effects. They are difficult to control, expensive, inconvenient and painful. Chances of nerve and blood vessel damage. Danger of infection, if proper
sterilization techniques are not used.
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| Photo credit: ivteam.org and rnpedia.com Parenteral Drugs |
Intravenous drugs are drugs administered through vein. desired blood concentration of drugs is achieved quickly and can be maintained. Intramuscular, drugs are injected in muscles especially in deltoid muscle and gluteus region. Subcutaneous, drugs are injected below the skin. Intrartecular, drugs are injected directly in the joints between spaces. Intrathecal, drugs are administrated into the cerebrospinal fluid filled space surrounding the spinal cord. drugs are directed into the CNS. Lastly. epidural, drugs are injected into the space above the dura(e.g anasthetic).
| Photo credit: beltina.org Inhalational |
Inhalational, drugs are gasses,
volatile liquids and solids (in the form of finely divided powders) are inhaled
for systemic and local effects. Rapid
absorption of the drug due to large surface area. First pass effect is avoided.Rapid
local effects. Only few drugs can be administered. may
produce irritation of pulmonary mucosa and inconvenient procedure. It is also at risks chances of
cardio toxicity. Systemic side effects may be produced due to rapid absorption
of drug. Drugs has poor ability to regulate dose
Reference:
Ernest Hodgson: Textbook of Modern toxicology, 4th Edition
KD Tripathi: Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 5th Edtion
http://www.eoearth.org/article/History_of_toxicology
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Thank you for reading, I hope you discovered what toxicology mean. It's a great worlds discovery. In this study we can understand what's within. Continue to read, support and explore my new post..:) Thank you one's again:)
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