GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
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.
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
Pharmacokinetics
-Drug absorption, bioavailability and bioequivalence.
-Physiochemical factors in transfer of drug across membranes.
-Routes of administration (oral ingestion, sublingual administration, rectal administration, pulmonary administration, topical application, controlled-release preparation, parenteral injection).
-Distribution of drug, volume of distribution, plasma and tissue protein, blood-CSF barrier and placental barrier, half life.
-Metabolism of drug, clearance, CYP systems, variability in drug metabolism.
-Excretion of drug, renal excretions, biliary and fecal excretion, excretion by other routes.
-Therapeutic drug monitoring.
-Elements of clinical pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
-Mechanisms of actions of drug.
-Drug receptors, structure-activity relationship, cellular site of drug actions.
-Definition of agonist and antagonist, classification of antagonist, mechanism of receptor antagonism.
-Quantification of drug-receptor interaction, dose/response relationship, concept of affinity, efficacy, potency, and relative efficacy.
-Pharmacological receptors: (G Protein-coupled receptor, receptors as enzyme, ion channel, receptor regulating nuclear transcription).
Pharmacological studies
-Pre-clinical and Clinical pharmacological studies.
-Variability in drug response
Interactions between drugs.
-Genetic variability, pharmacogenomics.
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)