The objective of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the basic principles of pharmacology, the mechanism of action of drugs, their fate in living organisms from absorption to elimination, and their adverse and toxic effects. At completion of the course, students must be able to:
a) describe and interpret therapeutic and adverse effects induced by medicines on organs and apparatuses; b) assess the risk to benefit ratio of medicines used in the therapeutic setting; c) appropriately select and utilize the medications used in the most important pathological conditions.
Course Prerequisites
The student should enter the course with a valid understanding of the basic propaedeutic disciplines, in particular, chemistry, human anatomy, biology, physiology, and pathophysiology of the main human diseases.
Teaching Methods
The course includes formal and interactive lectures.
Assessment Methods
The Pharmacology examination will be oral and consists in an interview on the contents of the module and is part of the exam of the integrated course “Pharmacology II”. The student will be asked to discuss some topics from the program. During the interview, questions will verify the degree of in-depth knowledge of the proposed topics, the ability of connection between different knowledges covered in class and how well the student has achieved the course's learning objectives. The exam will also take into account communication skills and the use of appropriate scientific language.
Texts
Katzung, BG, Trevor A J. Farmacologia Generale e Clinica, Ed. Piccin, latest edition. Rang and Dale, Farmacologia, Ed. EDRA, latest edition. Goodman and Gilman, Le basi farmacologiche della terapia, Ed Zanichelli, latest edition.
Contents
Cardiovascular pharmacology: antidyslipemics; anticoagulants; thrombolytics; antiplatelet drugs; diuretics; drugs for haematological disorders. Endocrine and metabolic pharmacology: Pituitary hormones; thyroid hormones and antithyroid drugs; adrenocortical hormones; antidiabetics; androgens, estrogens, progestogens and combination products; other contraceptive agents; agents affecting calcium homeostasis; drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis; vitamins. Autonomic pharmacology: Drugs of the adrenergic and cholinergic systems. Genitourinary pharmacology: Drugs affecting uterine motility; drugs for the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy. Immunopharmacology and pharmacology of inflammation: Immunomodulators and immunosuppressants; antihistamines; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; corticosteroids and other drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; antigout drugs; antipyretics. Active drugs on the CNS: major analgesics; antiepileptic drugs; antiparkinson drugs; antimigraine drugs; muscle relaxants and other drugs used in the treatment of spasticity; general and local anaesthetics; drugs used for the treatment of dementia and of neurodegenerative disorders.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Times reserved for student visits: Tuesday (09:30-11:59 am), only by appointment via e-mail (francesca.crema@unipv.it).