534-031 Pharmacology - 3rd Year M.B.,B.S.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The principal objectives are to 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. 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

A 1-hour written examination at the end of the first semester (30%) and a 3-hour written examination at the end of the second semester (70%). An oral examination may be held for students who do not pass the written examination.

Prescribed Texts

• Hardman J G & Limbird L E, Pharmacological Basis for Therapeutics. 9th ed. Macmillan, 1996.
  or
  Katzung B G, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 7th ed., Appleton and Lange, 1998.
  or
  Rang H P and Dale M M and Ritter J M, Pharmacology. 3rd ed. Churchill Livingstone, 1995.