GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY

Degree course: 
Corso di Long single cycle degree (6 years) in Odontoiatria e protesi dentaria
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2019/2020
Year: 
2
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2020/2021
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Seat of the course: 
Varese - Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Credits: 
3
Period: 
Second semester
Standard lectures hours: 
18
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (18 hours)
Requirements: 

Knowledge of biology, physiology and biochemistry

Learning Verification takes place only through a final exam in oral form. The exam aims to assess the level of understanding of general pharmacology, as well as the students capacity to use the knowledge learned in the management of the dental patient. The achievement by the student of an organic vision of the topics addressed, and in particular the ability to use this knowledge for the identification of a correct dosage regimen, will be evaluated with marks of excellence. The mnemonic and notional knowledge of the topics dealt with, which translates into an exposition not supported by a capacity for synthesis and analysis of the topics dealt with in an organic perspective and a correct but not always appropriate language will lead to discrete evaluations; training gaps and / or inappropriate language, albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the exam material, will lead to just sufficient grades. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the texts, will be negatively evaluated.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

The main objective course is to provide a solid preparation in general pharmacology. Pharmacological problem that a dentist will be able to face in the course of their professional activity will be also treated.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Know and understand pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, biotransformation, elimination) and pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action of drugs, classification of receptors). Pre-clinical drug trials will also be discussed with examples for setting up pre-clinical trials.
2. Apply the knowledge acquired on pharmacological problems, such as the dosage regimen definition and adverse drug reaction identification and treatment, also through the study of case-reports.

Pharmacokinetics: i) Absorption and bioavailability. First pass effect. ii) Kinetics of distribution. Pharmaco-protein bond and tissue bond. Volume of distribution. iii) Kinetics of drug elimination. Renal clearance and systemic clearance. iv) drugs metabolism and Excretion. Enzyme induction and inhibition.
Clinical pharmacokinetics: i) therapeutic regimen definition (loading dose, maintenance dose, interval between doses)
Pharmacodynamics: i) mechanisms of action of drugs, structure-action relationship. ii) sites of action of drugs (receptors, ion channels and enzymes). iii) adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug toxicity. iv) receptor adaptation (tolerance).
Preclinical trial: i) definition of preclinical trial, EC50 definition, subacute and chronic toxicity studies. ii) Clinical trial, phases of the clinical trial, pharmacovigilance

Teacher material provided (slides, photocopies of articles).
Katzung BG Farmacologia generale e clinica. Piccin, Padova
Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM Farmacologia Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano

The course is based on lectures using ppt set with images, diagrams and videos. To promote students critical reflection and allow possibility of self-assessment, during the lesson, questions with questions regarding the topics of the course are proposed to the students.

The teacher receives the students every day after personal contact by e-mail (marco.ferrari@uninsubria.it)