ALIMENTI E INTERAZIONI CON I FARMACI

Module MODULO 2: FARMACOLOGIA

The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the main interactions between drugs and dietary components, with particular emphasis on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms, clinical implications, and risk management strategies in particularly vulnerable patients.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Knowledge and understanding: describe the main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms underlying drug–food interactions; identify the main drug classes and drugs with a narrow therapeutic index that are most susceptible to interactions with food and dietary components.

• Applying knowledge and understanding: apply the knowledge acquired to identify potential drug–food interactions and propose appropriate risk management strategies.

• Making judgements: critically assess the clinical relevance of drug–food interactions and estimate the associated risk based on scientific evidence and the recommendations of the main regulatory agencies (AIFA, EMA, FDA).

• Communication skills: clearly explain, using appropriate pharmacological terminology, the mechanisms, clinical relevance, and management strategies of the main drug–food interactions.

• Learning skills: independently identify and consult up-to-date scientific and regulatory sources on drug–food interactions in order to keep their knowledge up to date.

Teaching activities consist of lectures, complemented by discussion sessions and active student participation, aimed at exploring the mechanisms underlying drug–food interactions and discussing examples of clinical relevance. The teaching activities are designed to achieve the intended learning outcomes relating to knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of drug–food interactions, as well as the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to their identification and risk management.

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

Students may use AI as a tool to support their studies, in compliance with applicable legislation, including legislation concerning copyright and the use of intellectual works, as described in Section 5.1 of the guidelines (https://www.unict.it/it/ateneo/cidia-centro-l%E2%80%99informatica-la-digitalizzazione-e-l%E2%80%99intelligenza-artificiale).

According to the RDA, Art. 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU), within the standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment, corresponding to one credit, the following may be included:

a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining hours devoted to individual study;

b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent assisted activities (laboratories), with the remaining hours devoted to personal study and elaboration.

Schedule: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/orario-delle-lezioni

A basic knowledge of general pharmacology and pharmacotherapy is essential, as is a fundamental understanding of biochemistry and human physiology.

Absences are permitted for no more than 30% of the total number of teaching hours.

https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/regolamento-didattico

PHARMACOLOGY

1 CFU - Pharmacological aspects of drug–food interactions 

• Classification and characteristics of the main drug interactions
• Major mechanisms underlying drug interaction
• Pharmacokinetic mechanisms of drug interactions
•  Pharmacodynamic mechanisms of drug interactions
• Molecular targets and enzymatic systems
•  Focus on drugs with a narrow therapeutic index

2 CFU - Major drug–food interactions

• Interactions with cardiovascular drugs: anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, and digitalis glycosides
• Interactions with CNS drugs: antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, antiparkinsonian agents
• Interactions with respiratory drugs
• Interactions with oncologic drugs, immunosuppressants, and other drugs with a narrow therapeutic index

Contribution of the Course to the Objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Target 3.4
 
 

Recommended Textbook

Additional Teaching Materials

2 - Scientific publications provided during the lectures

Assessment of learning is carried out as part of the final examination for the 6 ECTS integrated course, comprising the Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacology modules, and consists of a single oral examination.

As part of the single oral examination, the Pharmacology component will assess students’ knowledge of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms underlying drug–food interactions, the main drug classes involved and their clinical implications, as well as their ability to apply this knowledge to the identification and assessment of the main drug–food interactions.

Assessment takes into account the relevance and accuracy of the answers, the quality and completeness of the content, the ability to establish connections between different topics covered in the course, the ability to provide appropriate examples, the appropriate use of technical and scientific terminology, and the student’s overall communication and presentation skills.

The examination is considered passed with a minimum of 18/30 when the student demonstrates, for each question, adequate knowledge of the essential concepts and fundamental content relevant to the specific topic. The final evaluation, ranging from 18/30 to 30/30 cum laude, is based on the depth and accuracy of the student’s responses, the ability to establish connections between different topics and concepts, and the level of complexity of the questions addressed.

The assessment may also be conducted remotely, if circumstances so require.

Exam schedule: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD:

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) may request a personal interview with the instructor in order to agree on any appropriate compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, in accordance with the learning objectives of the course and the student’s specific needs.

Students may contact Prof. Santina Chiechio, also in her capacity as the CInAP (Centro per l’Inclusione Attiva e Partecipata – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) contact person for the Department of Drug and Health Sciences, at santina.chiechio@unict.it

Describe the main pharmacokinetic mechanisms through which food can influence drug absorption.
Explain the mechanism behind the interaction between grapefruit juice and drugs metabolized by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme.
Explain the mechanism underlying the interaction between ACE inhibitors and potassium-rich foods.
Explain the pharmacodynamic mechanism of the interaction between ethanol and antiepileptic drugs.