534-031 Pharmacology

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Subject Description:

The principal objectives are to (i) Comprehend the concept of drug receptors and the dynamics of drug-receptor interactions, and ways in which drugs act other than through receptors; the principles of pharmacokinetics; the specific physiological and biochemical processes of systems which are targets for drug action; the pharmacological characteristics of the prototype drugs of particular drug groups, the emphasis being on properties which are therapeutically relevant; the characteristics of drugs used in the treatment of common and important disorders which affect the major organ systems of the body; the principles of selective toxicity and the pharmacology and toxicity of drugs used in the treatment of infections and neoplastic disease; toxicological hazards posed by domestic, agricultural and industrial poisons and the principles underlying treatment of poisoning and envenomation; factors which might modify drug action; (ii) Appreciate the importance of understanding the principles of drug action to therapeutics; the linkage between pharmacology and other basic sciences; the importance of pharmacology as the basis for rational drug treatment in the clinical setting. Major topics covered: Principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; the mechanism of action of drugs in common use in medicine; mechanism of action of environmental poisons and plant and animal toxins. Mechanisms of drug action; principles of neurohumoral transmission; cardiovascular pharmacology; autacoids; anti-inflammatory drugs; endocrine pharmacology; analgesics and anaesthetics; psychotropic drugs; drugs used in neurological disorders; selective toxicity; industrial and environmental toxicology.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Hardman J G & Limbird L E, Pharmacological Basis for Therapeutics, 9th ed. Macmillan, 1996.
  or
  Katzung B G, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 6th ed., Lange, 1995.
  or
  Rang H P and Dale M M and Ritter J M, Pharmacology, 3rd ed. Churchill Livingstone, 1995.