Pharmacology is the scientific study of the effects of drugs on living organisms. It encompasses the drug’s mechanism of action as well as how the observed effects are related to the amount of drug administered. Pharmacology can be subdivided into two primary areas which are pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
Pharmacodynamics
This describes the specific mechanism by which the drug produces its effect. For example, a drug can mimic the action of a normal body constituent such as a hormone or neurotransmitter (agonist) or it can block the effects of a hormone, neurotransmitter or another drug (antagonist). Finally, a drug can enhance the effect of any of the above (potentiator). All drugs produce side effects in addition to their therapeutic action. These can be minor or consequential (serious adverse effects). The Dose-Response Curve represents the fact that higher doses of a drug result in greater pharmacologic effects until the maximum effect is achieved.
Pharmacokinetics
This describes the process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed throughout the body, metabolized in the liver, or excreted by the kidney. The usual routes of administration include oral, nasal, topical, rectally or by injection. The measurement of how quickly a drug is absorbed is determined by monitoring the time it takes to reach a maximal plasma level (Tmax) as well as the highest plasma concentration achieved (Cmax). The Area Under the Curve (AUC) represents the integration of the total amount of drug.
Mesa Science Associates have decades of experience in conducting pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies.
We can generate experimental protocols for both clinical and preclinical studies, provide oversight of the experiments, help in the determination of the experimental results and generate all required reports to both Sponsors and the FDA.