Pharmacology

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Mariangela CHISARI

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will focus and understand phenomena that influence pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the mechanisms of action and the signal transduction pathways of dugs, and adverse reactions to medications. Moreover, selected classes of drugs that are particularly relevant in midwifery will be discussed

Course Structure

Traditional classes. Students are invited to actively participate with questions and comments on discussed topics.

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, necessary changes may be introduced in order to fullfill all statements in the Syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in the following topics: Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory attendance to classes, except for new instructions for contingent reasons

Detailed Course Content

General Pharmacology

  • General principles of pharmacology;
  • Development of a drug;
  • Routes of administration;
  • Pharmacokinetics: absorption, diffusion, metabolism and elimination of drugs;
  • Pharmacodynamics: biological targets of drugs, classification of receptors and receptor theories, concentration-response curve;
  • Signal transduction mechanisms;
  • Agonists and antagonists;
  • Factors that influence the response to drugs;
  • Adverse drug reactions

Clinical Pharmacology

  • Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators (synthesis, metabolism, distribution, functions, targets, drugs): acetylcholine, adrenaline and noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, histamine, opioids, arachidonic acid
  • General and local anesthetics;
  • Drugs of the cardiovascular system, blood and kidney;
  • Diabetes medications;
  • Notes on drugs active on the gastrointestinal system;
  • General principles of antibacterial and antitumor chemotherapy.

Textbook Information

  • Rossi - Cuomo - Riccardi: Farmacologia - Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche, Minerva Medica, Edizione III e successive
  • Rang - Dale: Farmacologia, Ed. Edra, Edizione VIII e successive
  • Katzung - Preziosi - Masters – Trevor: Farmacologia Generale e Clinica, Piccin, Edizione IX e successive

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1General principlessee texbook tab
2Drug developmentsee texbook tab
3Drug administration routessee texbook tab
4Pharmacokinetics: absorption, diffusion, metabolism and elimination of drugssee texbook tab
5Pharmacodynamics: biological targets of drugs, classification of receptors and receptor theories, concentration-response curvesee texbook tab
6Signal transduction mechanismssee texbook tab
7Agonists and antagonistssee texbook tab
8Varaibility of therapeutic interventionsee texbook tab
9Adverse drug reactionssee texbook tab
10Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators (synthesis, metabolism, distribution, functions, targets, drugs): acetylcholine, adrenaline and noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, histamine, opioids, arachidonic acidsee texbook tab
11General and local anestheticssee texbook tab
12Drugs of the cardiovascular system, and active on the blood and the kidneysee texbook tab
13Diabetes mellitus medicationssee texbook tab
14Brief summary of drugs active on the GI systemsee texbook tab
15General principles of antibacterial and antitumor chemotherapysee texbook tab

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written test and oral exam about topics listed in the program and discussed during classes. The final evaluation will be determined by appropriate use of the scientific language, the ability to explain what has been learned, as well as by the skills of critical thinking.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Concentration-response curve; teratogenesis; diabetes mellitus medications; antibiotics
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO