FARMACOLOGIA E FARMACOTERAPIA

The Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy course consists of classroom-based lectures and aims to provide students with the pharmacological foundations of therapy and an understanding of the pharmacological profiles of the most commonly used drugs.

At the end of the course, students will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge and understanding: describe the main mechanisms of drug action and the therapeutic uses of the major drug classes; describe the main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes that characterize the pharmacological profile of the most commonly used drugs.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: apply knowledge of general pharmacology and pharmacotherapy to the interpretation of the pharmacological profile of medicinal products and to the selection of the main therapeutic strategies according to the patient's clinical characteristics.
3. Making judgements: critically evaluate the relationship between the pharmacological characteristics, therapeutic efficacy, and adverse effects of the main drugs.
4. Communication skills: clearly explain the mechanisms of action, pharmacological effects, and therapeutic uses of the main drugs using appropriate pharmacological terminology.
5. Learning skills: independently retrieve and use up-to-date pharmacological information from scientific texts and bibliographic sources in order to deepen and update their knowledge.

Theoretical lectures (LT), supplemented by opportunities for discussion and active student participation.

The course activities consist of lectures during which all the topics included in the syllabus will be covered in detail. Throughout the course, students are actively encouraged to participate in the discussion of the topics addressed. The lectures are aimed at presenting and facilitating the understanding of the main concepts of general pharmacology and pharmacotherapy, while active participation and discussion promote students’ ability to apply the knowledge acquired, establish connections between different topics, and develop pharmacological reasoning skills.

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/courses/lm-13_ctf/lectures-schedule

Attendance is mandatory, as provided for in the degree programme regulations. Students may be absent for no more than 30% of the total teaching hours, regardless of the mode of delivery.

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 

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

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

Learning is assessed through an oral examination aimed at evaluating students’ knowledge and understanding of the main mechanisms of drug action, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes, and the therapeutic uses of the drugs covered in the course syllabus, as well as their ability to apply this knowledge to the interpretation of pharmacological profiles and the main therapeutic strategies. The oral examination also assesses students’ ability to exercise independent judgement, establish connections between the different topics covered in the syllabus, and provide a rationale for their answers, as well as their ability to present the course content using appropriate technical and scientific terminology. Students’ ability to independently retrieve, interpret, and use pharmacological information from scientific and bibliographic sources will also be assessed.

The examination is considered passed with a minimum grade of 18/30 when the student demonstrates, for each of the questions asked, that they possess the essential knowledge and fundamental content relating to the specific topics. The final grade, ranging from 18/30 to 30/30 with honours, is determined on the basis of the depth and accuracy of the answers, the ability to establish connections between different areas of content, and the degree of complexity of the topics addressed.

Based on the above, the assessment may be expressed according to the following scheme.

Fail

Knowledge and understanding: significant gaps and inaccuracies.

Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate, with frequent generalisations.

Use of references: completely inappropriate.

Grade: 18–20

Knowledge and understanding: very limited knowledge, with evident shortcomings.

Analytical and synthesis skills: barely sufficient.

Use of references: barely appropriate.

Grade: 21–23

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: slightly more than sufficient knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: fair analytical and synthesis skills; arguments are presented in a logical and coherent manner.

Use of references: uses standard references.

Grade: 24–26

Knowledge and understanding: good knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis skills; arguments are presented coherently.

Use of references: uses standard references.

Grade: 27–29

Knowledge and understanding: very good knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: has explored the topics in depth.

Grade: 30/30–30/30 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding: excellent knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: significant in-depth study of the topics.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.

Schedule: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13_ctf/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 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.