Ateneo - UPO

This course will cover principles of general pharmacology (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and special pharmacology (drug interactions, the nervous system, drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, anxiolytics and antidepressants, pain management, substances of abuse, drugs for dyslipidemia and diabetes, antiplatelet agents, the drug discovery process, and vaccines).

Karen Whalen- LE BASI DELLA FARMACOLOGIA- Zanichelli
Clementi e Fumagalli- FARMACOLOGIA GENERALE E MOLECOLARE- UTET

Basic knowledge of general pharmacology and how drugs can work in several conditions, as frail patients, addiction and psychiatric patients.

Knowledge of cellular biology and human physiology.

Frontal lessons.

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.

Written exam consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions, with 4 options per question. Scoring: 2 points for each correct answer, 0 points for incorrect or unanswered questions.

Principles of pharmacodynamics: How the drug interacts with the body.
Principles of pharmacokinetics: How the body interacts with the drug.
Drug interactions: Examples of drug-drug, drug-food, and drug-disease interactions.
Principles of the nervous system: Synapses, types of nervous systems, neurotransmitters.
Drugs for neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's chorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis.
Substance abuse and addiction: Examples of drugs of abuse and medications used to treat withdrawal symptoms.
Anxiolytics and antidepressants: Differences between benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and novel antidepressant drugs.
Pain management: NSAIDs and analgesics.
Drugs for metabolic syndrome: Medications for cholesterol reduction and diabetes management.
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents.
Antimicrobial agents: Antibiotics and antivirals.
Drug development: Preclinical and clinical studies, vaccines, and generic drugs.

To understand the fundamental principles of general and special pharmacology, identify key interactions between drugs, food, and diseases, recognize the differences between anxiolytic and antidepressant therapies, comprehend the mechanisms of action of NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, and anticoagulants, understand the drug discovery process, know various substances of abuse and their effects, and distinguish between medications used for bacterial and viral infections.