CPH-2010

Learning Objectives

1. To provide a sound understanding of the principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs.

2. To give students a general introduction to pharmacokinetics i.e. the determinants of the time course of the drug in the body, applying pharmacokinetic principles in order to provide rational drug therapy.

3. To understand the mechanism, modes of actions and pharmacology of NSAIDS, vitamins, and drugs used in GI tract.

Content

• Molecular pharmacology, drug development and pharmacogenetics

• Drug-drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, drug allergies

• Pharmacotoxicology and drug abuse in sports

• New methodologies in pharmacological therapy

• Pharmacoeconomics in therapeutics

• Paediatric and geriatric pharmacology

• Introduction and definitions of pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic terms - half-life, volume of distribution, protein binding, clearance

• LADME system: drug absorption mechanisms, distribution, metabolism, elimination

• Compartmental pharmacokinetic models: interpretation of plasma concentration time curves; curve fitting, method of residuals, area under the curve; problem solving with use of semi-log paper

• Drugs used in the GI tract: antacids and other drugs for dyspepsia, ulcer healing drugs, H₂ antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, antidiarrheals, antiemetics

• NSAIDS: mode of action; clinical use and indications, COX1 and COX2 inhibitors; ADRs

• Vitamins: lipid and water-soluble vitamins, mode of action, indications

Type

Lectures, seminars, assignments, and credit test

Assessment

In the continuous and final mode:  i.e. continuous assessments and final credit test at end of study unit.

Result

Percentage mark and grade

Lecturers

• Prof. Roger Ellul-Micallef

• Prof FF Fenech

• Dr Janet Mifsud

• Dr Anthony Fenech

• Dr Doriette Soler

• Dr Charles Scerri

• Ms Rita Ellul Darmanin