GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Basic principles of general chemistry and propedeutic biochemistry as well as of organ anatomy (urinary and digestive tracts, cardiovascular system), are prerequisite for understanding the general pharmacology course.
The course aims to transmit information concerning the general principles underlying the interaction between the human body and drugs in healthy subjects, patients, during pregnancy and puerperium and their mechanisms of action. In particular the following topics will be considered: principles underlying a correct posology and administration schedule; evaluation of drug-related risk factors (administration route, adverse events, intolerance to drugs, drug interactions), interpretation and application of law dispositions concerning drug store and use and the development of new drugs.The course aims to give the fundamental pharmacological and toxicological basis for the correct handling and use of drugs
- Pharmacokinetic lineages (9 hours). The main routes of drug administration will be described, and the pharmacokinetic processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs in healthy subjects and in patients. Also, some quantitative pharmacokinetic arguments will be used to set a proper dose, such as distribution volume, clearance, half-life, maintenance dose, loading dose. The concept of bioavailability and the equivalent drug will be addressed.
Pharmacodynamic lineages (8 hours): the main mechanisms underlying drug action will be described. It will also discuss the theoretical basis for the interpretation of drug action by imparting the concepts of agonist, antagonist, partial agonist. Dosage-response curves will be described to allow interpretation of efficacy and pharmacological potency. Drug-toxicology topics will be addressed to interpret toxic drug effects, drug interactions, abuse, tolerance, and dependence.
-Pharmaceutical legislation, experimentation (3 hours). The main laws in force in Italy and the European Union concerning the production, classification of medicines, prescription and pharmacovigilance will be described. Preclinical and clinical studies will also be described for the discovery of new drugs.
General and Clinical Pharmacology. Katzung B.G. McGraw Hill Ed LANGE. XIV Edition
Pharmacology. Rang, Dale, Ritter, Flower, Henderson. Elsevier