Course overview
Pharmacology is the study of uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs. Drugs play a key role in the treatment of many human diseases and are used to cure and manage disease. In this course students will learn the general principles of pharmacology including drug classification, formulation, administration and basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Drugs affecting the nervous system and major organs will be explored, and the concept of selective toxicity to treat infection will be introduced. Students will gain knowledge in commonly prescribed drugs, the role of clinical trials, over the counter and complementary medications, drugs of dependence and drugs in sport. Emphasis is placed on clinical pharmacology including polypharmacy, side effects, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions.
Course learning outcomes
- Differentiate the fundamental principles of pharmacology (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics), and identify the sites and major mechanisms of drug action.
- Describe the ways drugs are administered, absorbed and distributed in the body and explain the factors influencing these processes.
- Describe the concept of agonist and antagonist activities of drugs and apply this to the mechanism of action of drugs.
- Explain how different classes of drugs used to treat various diseases act on physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes.
- Recognise common and important drug interactions and adverse reactions.