Ateneo - UPO

This course offers an in-depth description of pharmacological agents, focusing on their pharmacokinetic profiles, mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and toxicity. Students will explore specific classes of drugs used in various pathological contexts. For each pharmacological class, the rational basis for choosing one drug over others will be discussed, considering the individual characteristics of patients, side effects, relative and absolute contraindications, issues related to interactions with other drugs, and compliance.
Through lectures and discussions, students will enhance their ability to evaluate pharmacological data and apply this knowledge in clinical settings.

The reference text is “Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics” (latest edition).

An additional suggested textbook is “Rang and Dale: Pharmacology”, which is considered sufficient if supplemented with lecture notes and further information from accredited sources*.

Relying exclusively on the material provided in class is considered insufficient.

*Examples of additional sources of information include scientific literature, the European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) of drugs authorized via the centralized procedure (www.ema.europa.eu), the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC, accessible online from the AIFA Medicines Database, https://medicinali.aifa.gov.it/it/#/it/), and the Osmed Report (https://www.aifa.gov.it/rapporti-osmed), which contextualizes the current use of drugs in Italy.

1) Equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to understand pharmacotherapy and its rational development.
2) Impart comprehensive knowledge about the main classes of active substances and the specific drugs available.
3) Offer robust training to evaluate new drugs that may emerge in the professional future of learners.

A drug is defined by its ability to modify a biological system, whether at the molecular, cellular, organ, or systemic level. To fully benefit from the course, students should therefore have a background in chemistry, biology, molecular biology, general pathology, immunology, and physiology.

The General Pharmacology exam is a prerequisite for the Special Pharmacology exam.

Face-to-face lectures will be accompanied by slides, which will be available to students on the dedicated IT platform (DIR). Although these lectures will cover the main topics of the program, they may not be comprehensive and are not intended to replace the textbook. Instead, the lessons aim to teach a methodological approach to pharmacological issues rather than just conveying factual knowledge.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam will be conducted orally and will assess (i) knowledge acquired regarding drug classes, (ii) ability to correctly classify individual active substances into their respective pharmacological classes and describe their main distinctive features, (iii) ability to integrate arguments.
Students will be required to describe one or more therapeutic classes, detailing the main active substances, mechanisms of action, uses, and side effects. They will also need to describe specific drugs.
Grading criteria:
Scores from 18 to 21: adequate knowledge of the covered topics, sufficient ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge. Demonstrates sufficient ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use.
Scores from 22 to 24: good knowledge of the covered topics, proficient ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge effectively. Demonstrates good ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use.
Scores from 25 to 27: very good knowledge of the covered topics, advanced ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge adeptly. Demonstrates excellent ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use.
Scores from 28 to 30: excellent knowledge of the covered topics, outstanding ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge exceptionally well. Demonstrates exceptional ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use.

Medicines for the main neuropsychiatric diseases (anxiety, depression, psychosis, insomnia);
Drugs for epilepsies;
Drugs that affect the cholinergic system;
Drugs that act on the adrenergic system;
Parkinson's disease medications;
Local and general anesthetics;
Muscle relaxants and botulinum toxin;
Glaucoma medications;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
Anti-histamines;
Glucocorticoids;
Medicines for disorders related to gastric secretion;
Pain therapy medications;
Migraine therapy;
Medicines for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
Immunosuppressive drugs and drugs used in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (including biological / biotechnological drugs);
Anti-bechic and expectorant drugs;
Anti-emetic drugs;
Drugs for hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia;
Diuretics;
Antihypertensive drugs;
Pulmonary hypertension drugs;
Erectile dysfunction medications;
Medicines for Coronary artery Disease and myocardial infarction;
Heart failure medications;
Antiarrhythmic drugs;
Clotting drugs;
Medicines for diabetes;
Drugs that affect bone mineral homeostasis;

Anti-neoplastic chemotherapy:
Principles of oncological therapy, cytotoxic therapies vs target therapies;
Classes of antineoplastic chemotherapy:
Anti-metabolites;
Mitotic spindle inhibitors (including new generation);
Inducers of DNA damage;
Alkylating agents;
Topoisomerase inhibitors;
Hormonal therapies;
Biological response modulators (HDACi, PARPi, proteasome inhibitors, thalidomide derivatives);
Protein kinase inhibitors;
Monoclonal antibodies;
Immunotherapies;
Cellular therapies;
Anti-microbial chemotherapy:
General principles of anti-bacterial therapy;
Chemotherapy and antibacterial antibiotics:
Active drugs on the bacterial wall;
Sulfonamides, trimethroprim-sulfamethoxazole;
Quinolones;
Anti-tuberculous therapy;
Protein synthesis inhibitors;
Antiviral chemotherapy.

Students will learn about the main pharmacological classes and the specific drugs available, including their mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications and toxicities. Upon completing this course, students will also be able to evaluate the pharmacological profiles of new drugs that will emerge in the future.