* * *
The science concerned with drugs, their sources, appearance, chemistry, actions, and uses. [pharmaco- + G. logos, study]
- biochemical p. a branch of p. concerned with the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the actions of drugs.
- clinical p. the branch of p. concerned with the p. of therapeutic agents in the prevention, treatment, and control of disease in humans.
- marine p. a branch of p. concerned with pharmacologically active substances present in aquatic plants and animals; its objective is to find and develop new therapeutic agents.
* * *
1) the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
2) the properties and reactions of drugs esp. with relation to their therapeutic value
phar·ma·co·log·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv
* * *
n.
the science of the properties of drugs and their effects on the body.
• pharmacological adj.
* * *
phar·ma·col·o·gy (fahr″mə-kolґə-je) [pharmaco- + -logy] the science that deals with the origin, nature, chemistry, effects, and uses of drugs; it includes pharmacognosy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics, and toxicology. pharmacologic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.