FARMACOLOGIA E FARMACOTERAPIA

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: SANTINA CHIECHIO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy includes face-to-face lectures and it is aimed to provide students with the pharmacological bases of therapy and the pharmacological profiles of the most commonly used drugs.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

1) describe the mechanism of action and therapeutic uses of the main drugs prescribed in therapy;

2) describe the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts that regulate the pharmacological profile of the most used drugs.

Course Structure

Face-to-face lectures

In case of mixed or remote mode, due to the pandemic situation, necessary changes can be introduced, in order to accomplish the planned program as reported in the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD: In order to guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with regulations in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact our Department CInAP referent, Prof. Teresa Musumeci

Schedule: https://www.dsf.unict.it/courses/lm-13_ctf/lectures-schedule

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. 

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory attendance according to the rules of the teaching regulations of the Degree Course in CTF, as indicated in the following linkhttp://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/lm-13_ctf/regolamento-didattico

Detailed Course Content

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacokinetics: The Dynamics of Drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination

Pharmacodynamics: Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Action

NEUROTRANSMISSION. THE AUTONOMIC AND SOMATIC MOTOR NERVOUS SYSTEMS

Muscarinic Receptor Agonists and Antagonists

Anticholinesterase Agents

Agents Acting at the Neuromuscular Junction and Autonomic Ganglia

Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists

5-Hydroxytryptamine (Serotonin) and Dopamine

NEUROTANMISSION AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Drug Therapy of Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Pharmacotherapy of Psychosis and Mania

Hypnotics and Sedatives

Opioids, Analgesia, and Pain Management

General Anesthetics and Therapeutic Gases

Local Anesthetics

Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies

Treatment of Parkinson Disease

MODULATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION

Regulation of Renal Function and Vascular Volume

The Renin-Angiotensin System

Pharmacotherapy of Hypertension

Pharmacotherapy of Congestive Heart Failure

Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs

Blood Coagulation and Anticoagulant, Fibrinolytic, and Antiplatelet Drugs

Drug Therapy for Hypercholesterolemia and Dyslipidemia

INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNOMODULATION

Histamine, Bradykinin, and Their Antagonists

Anti-Inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Analgesic Agents

Endocrine Pancreas and Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes Mellitus 

Pharmacotherapy of Gastric Acidity, Peptic Ulcers, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY 

Textbook Information

1- B. G. Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Latest edition. 

2- Goodman and Gilman. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Latest edition. 

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Definizioni di Farmacologia Generale, Farmacoterapia e loro finalità. Concetto di farmaco, medicamento, veleno. 2
2FARMACOCINETICA. Principi generali del passaggio dei farmaci attraverso le membrane biologiche. 2
3Assorbimento dei farmaci. Vie di somministrazione. Biodisponibilità2
4Distribuzione dei farmaci. Legame dei farmaci alle proteine plasmatiche.2
5Metabolismo dei farmaci. Meccanismi molecolari del metabolismo dei farmaci. Significato funzionale del metabolismo dei farmaci. 2
6Eliminazione dei farmaci. Vie di eliminazione dei farmaci2
7Valutazione dei parametri di farmacocinetica. Emivita di un farmaco. 2
8FARMACODINAMICA. Variabilità nella risposta ai farmaci. Effetti indesiderati dei farmaci.1, 2
9FARMACODINAMICA. Sedi e meccanismi d'azione dei farmaci1, 2
10Classificazione dei recettori e meccanismi di trasduzione del segnale.1
11Farmacologia dei canali ionici.1
12Interazione farmaco-recettore. Relazione dose-effetto. Farmaci agonisti, agonisti parziali, agonisti inversi e antagonisti. Potenza ed efficacia dei farmaci. 1
13Neurotrasmissione catecolaminergica. Farmaci simpaticomimetici e simpaticolitici1, 2, 3
14Neurotrasmissione colinergica. Farmaci colinomimetici. Farmaci anticolinergici. 1, 2, 3
15Neurotrasmissione GABAergica. Farmaci attivi sulla trasmissione GABAergica.1, 2, 3
16Neurotrasmissione serotoninergica. 1, 2, 3
17Neurotrasmissione glutammatergica.1, 2, 3
18Farmcai del sistema nervoso centrale. Farmaci antipsicotici. Farmaci antidepressivi. Farmaci antimaniacali. Farmaci ansiolitii. Farmaci ipnotici e sedativi. Farmaci antiepilettici. Farmaci antiparkinsoniani2
19Analgesici oppioidi e non oppioidi. Terapia del dolore. Farmaci per la terapia dell’emicrania. 2
20Anestetici generali. Anestetici locali2
21Autacoidi e mediatori dell’infiammazione1, 2
22Farmaci antistaminici1
23Farmaci antinfiammatori non steroidei2
24Farmaci Antinfiammatori steroidei2
25Farmaci immunomodulatori. 2
26Farmaci attivi sull’apparato cardiovascolare. Farmaci antianginosi. Farmaci antiaritmici. Farmaci antipertensivi. Farmaci per il trattamento dell’insufficienza cardiaca. 2
27Farmaci attivi sull’apparato urinario. Farmaci diuretici. 2
28Farmaci attivi sull’apparato respiratorio. 2
29Farmaci attivi sull’emopoiesi e sulla coagulazione.2
30Farmaci attivi sul metabolismo. Farmaci antidiabetici. Farmaci antidislipidemici. 2
31Farmaci attivi sul sistema endocrino. 2
32Farmaci attivi sul sistema digerente.2
33Principi generali di chemioterapia antibatterica e antivirale. 1, 2, 3
34Principi generali di chemiotarapia antineoplastica1, 2, 3

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The examination is conducted through an oral test.

Schedule: https://www.dsf.unict.it/courses/lm-13_ctf/exams-calendar

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders (DSA):

In order to ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on their educational objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) faculty coordinator in our department, Professor Teresa Musumeci.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Describe the processes of drug absorption, distribution, and elimination.

Describe drug metabolism.

Describe the mechanisms of drug-receptor interaction.

Describe the mechanism of action and therapeutic uses of beta-blocker drugs.

Drugs used in pain therapy.

Describe the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Describe the mechanism of action and therapeutic uses of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Pharmacological therapy for herpes infections.

Describe the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies used in anticancer therapy.