FARMACOLOGIA GENERALE E SPECIALE

The course aims to provide the pharmacological foundations necessary to understand the therapeutic use of specific drug classes, based on their mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic principles. In accordance with the Dublin Descriptors:

To pass the exam at the end of the course, the student must be able to explain and apply the knowledge acquired regarding:

•          general concepts of pharmacokinetics;

•          general concepts of pharmacodynamics;

•          the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic profile, therapeutic indications, and side effects of the drugs listed in the syllabus.

The student must demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation skills regarding the drug classes studied—with reference to potential areas of application—and the ability to clearly communicate the knowledge acquired using appropriate technical-scientific terminology.

Face-to-face lectures

According to what is reported in the RDA, Art. 12 - University Training Credits (CFU), the standard load of 25 hours of overall student commitment, corresponding to one credit, can include: 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND HEALTH SCIENCES, Prof.ssa Santina Chiechio

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Frequency is mandatory, as stipulated by the Degree Programme's academic regulations. Absences are permitted for no more than 30% of the total teaching hours, calculated across all forms of instruction (https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/regolamento-didattico).

General Pharmacology

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

Pharmacokinetic parameters. Bioavailability, Volume of distribution, Clearance, half-life.

Pharmacodynamics: Classification of receptors and signal transduction mechanisms. Pharmacology of ion channels.

Drug-receptor interaction. Dose-response curves: Agonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists and antagonists. Potency and efficacy of drugs.

Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics. Tolerance. Side effects, idiosyncratic and allergic effects. teratogenicity

Drug Interactions 

Systematic pharmacology

Catecholaminergic neurotransmission. Sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs

Cholinergic neurotransmission. Parasympathomimetic drugs. Parasympatholytic drugs.

Pharmacology of neuromuscular transmission

GABAergic neurotransmission. Drugs active on GABAergic transmission.

Glutamatergic neurotransmission

Pharmacology of cardiovascular function

 -Pharmacotherapy of Hypertension

 -Pharmacotherapy of Congestive Heart Failure

 -Angina treatment drugs

 -Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs

Drugs affecting renal system

 -diuretics

Respiratory system drugs

 - Antitussive drugs

 - Bronchodilator drugs

Pharmacotherapy of Gastric Acidity, Peptic Ulcers, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Laxatives and antidiarrheal drugs

Pharmacology of inflammatory and allergic processes

-Autacoids and mediators of inflammation

- Antihistamin drugs

- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Blood Coagulation and Anticoagulant, Fibrinolytic, and Antiplatelet Drugs

Endocrine Pancreas and Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes Mellitus

Drug Therapy for Hypercholesterolemia and Dyslipidemia

Drugs Therapy for  bone metabolism

Endocrine system pharmacology

 - Thyroid hormones and antithyroid drugs

- Estrogens, androgens, progestogens

Drugs for erectile dysfunction

Central Nervous System Pharmacology

-Drug therapy of Anxiety Disorders

-Hypnotics and Sedatives

-Pain Management 

-Drug Therapy of Depression 

-Pharmacotherapy of Psychosis 

-Treatment of Parkinson Disease

-Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies

-General Anesthetics. Local Anesthetics

According to the RDA, Art. 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU): The standard student workload of 25 total hours, corresponding to one credit, may comprise:

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

b) between 12 and 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratories), with the remainder devoted to study and personal review.

Textbook information

F. Rossi, V. Cuomo, C. Riccardi-Farmacologia, Edizioni Minerva Medica

L.Annunziato, G. Di Rienzo-Trattato di farmacologia, Idelson-Gnocchi

Katzung BG- Farmacologia Generale e Clinica, Piccin

Testo di approfondimento:

Goodman and Gilman. Le basi farmacologiche della terapia. Ultima edizione. Zanichelli

Oral examination. The oral interview generally consists of four questions: the first focuses on pharmacokinetics, followed by questions on CNS drugs, endocrine system drugs, and organ-specific drugs. The average duration of the interview is 20 minutes. The final grade is based on the accuracy and coherence of the student's knowledge, the appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology, and the ability to link the topic at hand with other related subjects. Passing the exam (with a final grade between 18 and 30) requires a knowledge of pharmacokinetics and the fulfillment of the essential minimum requirements for the specific topics covered.

The assessment of learning can also be carried out online via Microsoft Teams, should conditions require it

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) and referring teacher (prof.ssaSantina Chiechio email: santina.chiechio@unict.it) within of department.

EXAM DATES

Exam dates are published on the Degree Programme website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

1) L. Annunziato, G.F. Di Renzo (Idelson Gnocchi) – *Trattato di Farmacologia*; 

2) Rossi, Cuomo, Riccardi (Minerva Medica) – *Farmacologia (Principi di base ed applicazioni terapeutiche)*.