Farmakólógía

Farmakólógía is the scientific study of drugs and their effects on living systems. It encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including understanding how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body, as well as their mechanisms of action at the molecular and cellular level. The field investigates both beneficial therapeutic effects, known as pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects, or toxicology.

Key areas within farmakólógía include drug discovery and development, where new chemical entities are identified and tested for safety and efficacy. It also examines pharmacokinetics, which describes what the body does to the drug, and pharmacodynamics, which describes what the drug does to the body. Research in farmakólógía contributes to the rational use of medications in clinical practice and the development of new treatments for diseases. It also involves studying how different individuals may respond differently to drugs due to genetic variations or other factors, a field known as pharmacogenomics.