This Pharmacology course is designed for healthcare professional students to develop fundamental knowledge of pharmacological principles and their clinical applications across major body systems. The course explores the science of drugs and their interactions with biological systems, with emphasis on mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and clinical considerations.
The course covers foundational concepts of pharmacology as well as pharmacological interventions for major body systems and disease states. The course explores drugs affecting various body systems. Specific modules on antimicrobial agents, topical medications, and principles of toxicology provide a comprehensive view of therapeutic interventions and their potential adverse outcomes.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on clinical decision-making, patient safety, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy. Case studies, drug calculations, and clinical scenarios facilitate the application of theoretical knowledge to practical situations. This course prepares students to understand the pharmacological basis of drug therapy and to apply this knowledge in various healthcare settings.
Learning objectives
After the completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain fundamental pharmacological principles including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and dose-response relationships that govern drug action in the human body
- Analyze the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and drug interactions of major drug classes used in clinical practice
- Evaluate appropriate pharmacological interventions for various disease states affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, autonomic, central nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems
- Apply principles of antimicrobial pharmacology to the selection of appropriate agents for various infectious diseases, considering spectrum of activity, resistance patterns, and patient factors
- Interpret the pharmacological basis of blood coagulation management, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and thrombolytics
- Assess the role of pharmacological agents in managing inflammation, pain, and immune responses
- Distinguish between various routes of drug administration and formulations, with special emphasis on topical medication delivery systems and their clinical applications
- Analyze common toxicological principles, including mechanisms of toxicity, antidote therapy, and management of drug overdose
- Integrate pharmacological knowledge with patient-specific factors such as age, pregnancy, genetics, and comorbidities to develop appropriate therapeutic plans
Course outline
- Basics of Pharmacology
- Inflammation Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Pharmacology of Blood Coagulation
- Respiratory Pharmacology
- Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Pharmacology
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology
- Endocrine Pharmacology
- Reproductive Pharmacology
- Antimicrobial Pharmacology
- Topical Medications
- Toxicology