PHARMACOLOGY

 SEX ::

Females require 0.85 of the male dose partly because of their lesser weight and partly because they are more receptive to drugs Females have to be given moderate doses during (a) menstruation (b) pregnancy and (c) lactation Strong prugatives (e.g.aloes) have to be avoided during menstruation whereas drugs which stimulate contractions of the uterus (e.g. anticholinesterases pituitary ergot ) have to be avoided during pregnancy since they may provoke abortion or miscarriage Morphine is transplacentally transmitted and depresses foetal respiration therefore it should be avoided when the mother is breastfeeding the body (i.e. during lactation ) drugs excreted through the milk are to be given with caution Drugs like antihistaminics morphine and chloramphenicol etc are highly excreted in mothers milk 

Body weight ::

While administering potent drugs weight of the person is to be considered e.g. a slender build would need less drug than a hafty patient 

Route Method and Time of drug administration ::

A drug is absorbed quicker and more completely in soluble form as against a powder pill tablet or capsule The method of drug administrations is also of importance Injections are swiftly and completely absorbed in approximately the following order of speed intravenous intramuscular and subcutaneous Drugs are better and more quickly absorbed on an empty stomach as against a full stomach Iron salts are given after meals to prevent irritation whereas appetizers are given before meals as their names suggestand digestants after meals Laxatives are better administered at night and purgatives in early morning since the latter are brisk in action Aspirin is less effective if taken at night whereas sleeping pills like barbiturates or diazepam are less effective if taken during day time