Pharmacology

 

PHARMACOLOGY – THEORY

 

Course Code: ER20-21T

 

Scope: This course provides basic knowledge about different classes of drugs available for the pharmacotherapy of common diseases. The indications for use, dosage regimen, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and contraindications of the drugs discussed in this course are vital for successful professional practice.

 

Course Objectives: This course will discuss the following:

1. General concepts of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, routes of administration, etc.

2. Pharmacological classification and indications of drugs

3. Dosage regimen, mechanisms of action, contraindications of drugs

4. Common adverse effects of drugs

 

Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to

1. Describe the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

2. Enlist the various classes and drugs of choices for any given disease condition

3. Advice the dosage regimen, route of administration and contraindications for a given drug

4. Describe the common adverse drug reactions

 

1. General Pharmacology

• Introduction and scope of Pharmacology

• Various routes of drug administration - advantages and disadvantages

• Drug absorption - definition, types, factors affecting drug absorption

• Bioavailability and the factors affecting bioavailability

• Drug distribution - definition, factors affecting drug distribution

• Biotransformation of drugs - Definition, types of biotransformation reactions, factors influencing drug metabolisms

• Excretion of drugs - Definition, routes of drug excretion

• General mechanisms of drug action and factors modifying drug action

 

2. Drugs Acting on the Peripheral Nervous System

• Steps involved in neurohumoral transmission

• Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

a) Cholinergic drugs

b) Anti-Cholinergic drugs

c) Adrenergic drugs

d) Anti-adrenergic drugs

e) Neuromuscular blocking agents

f) Drugs used in Myasthenia gravis

g) Local anaesthetic agents

h) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

 

3. Drugs Acting on the Eye

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications and contraindications of

• Miotics

• Mydriatics

• Drugs used in Glaucoma

 

4. Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• General anaesthetics

• Hypnotics and sedatives

• Anti-Convulsant drugs

• Anti-anxiety drugs

• Anti-depressant drugs

• Anti-psychotics

• Nootropic agents

• Centrally acting muscle relaxants

• Opioid analgesics

 

5. Drugs Acting on the Cardiovascular System

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• Anti-hypertensive drugs

• Anti-anginal drugs

• Anti-arrhythmic drugs

• Drugs used in atherosclerosis and

• Congestive heart failure

• Drug therapy for shock

 

6. Drugs Acting on Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• Hematinic agents

• Anti-coagulants

• Anti-platelet agents

• Thrombolytic drugs

 

7. Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• Bronchodilators

• Expectorants

• Anti-tussive agents

• Mucolytic agents

 

8. Drugs Acting on the Gastro Intestinal Tract

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• Anti-ulcer drugs

• Anti-emetics

• Laxatives and purgatives

• Anti-diarrheal drugs

 

9. Drugs Acting on the Kidney

Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications of

• Diuretics

• Anti-Diuretics

 

10. Hormones and Hormone Antagonists

Physiological and pathological role and clinical uses of

• Thyroid hormones

• Anti-thyroid drugs

• Parathormone

• Calcitonin

• Vitamin D

• Insulin

• Oral hypoglycemic agents

• Estrogen

• Progesterone

• Oxytocin

• Corticosteroids

 

11. Autocoids

• Physiological role of Histamine, 5 HT and Prostaglandins

• Classification, clinical uses, and adverse effects of antihistamines and 5 HT antagonists

 

12. Chemotherapeutic Agents: Introduction, basic principles of chemotherapy of infections, infestations and neoplastic diseases, Classification, dose, indication and contraindications of drugs belonging to following classes:

• Penicillins

• Cephalosporins

• Aminoglycosides

• Fluoroquinolones

• Macrolides

• Tetracyclines

• Sulphonamides

• Anti-tubercular drugs

• Anti-fungal drugs

• Anti-viral drugs

• Anti-amoebic agents

• Anthelmintics

• Anti-malarial agents

• Anti-neoplastic agents 12

 

13. Biologicals

Definition, types, and indications of biological agents with examples