Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of pharmacology required to understand the mechanisms of action of the main drugs used in clinical practice. Particular attention will be devoted to the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and to the main classes of drugs acting on the cholinergic system, the neuromuscular junction, and the cardiovascular system, with reference to their impact on rehabilitation and care activities.

- Farmacologia Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche, Rossi F, Cuomo V, Riccardi C, Ed.Minerva Medica; - Farmacologia per le lauree triennali e magistrali, Taglialatela M, Edizioni Idelson Gnocchi.

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental pharmacological knowledge required to understand the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, and main adverse reactions of the drug classes relevant to physiotherapy practice. At the end of the course, students will be able to interpret the effects of pharmacological treatments on neuromuscular functions and integrate the acquired knowledge into the rehabilitation process.

Basic knowledge of biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and pathology is required for all students.

The course consists of lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations, aimed at acquiring basic pharmacological knowledge and understanding the impact of the main pharmacological treatments on the clinical and rehabilitative management of patients.

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 consist of a written test with 15 multiple-choice questions on the topics covered in the course syllabus.

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY • Principles of Pharmacokinetics: routes of administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. • Principles of Pharmacodynamics: concept of agonists and antagonists, dose-response curve, receptors, and signal transduction mechanisms.SPECIAL PHARMACOLOGY • Drugs acting on skeletal muscle relaxation. Neuromuscular junction blocking agents: non-depolarizing and depolarizing agents, their therapeutic effects and adverse effects. The role of the acetylcholine system at the neuromuscular junction. • Drugs used in the treatment of spasticity: baclofen, diazepam and tetrazepam, tizanidine: mechanism of action, therapeutic indications, and adverse effects. Dantrolene: mechanism of action and therapeutic uses. Botulinum toxin type A: use in focal skeletal muscle spasms. • Antiparkinsonian drugs: L-DOPA, first- and second-generation dopamine agonists, MAO-B and COMT inhibitors, amantadine, muscarinic antagonists. Therapeutic effects and adverse effects. The dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. • Drugs for Alzheimer’s disease: cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate receptor antagonists. • Anti-inflammatory drugs: natural and synthetic corticosteroids: mechanism of action, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects. NSAIDs: mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, and adverse effects. • Local anesthetics: mechanism of action. • Opioid analgesics: strong agonists, moderate agonists, and agonist-antagonists. • Antihypertensive drugs.

Knowledge and understandingDescribe the fundamental principles of general pharmacology, with particular reference to pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (drug–receptor interaction, agonists and antagonists, dose–response relationship).Understand the mechanisms of action, main therapeutic indications, and adverse effects of the major drug classes relevant to physiotherapy practice, with particular reference to drugs acting on the neuromuscular system, pain, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system.Understand the role of the main pharmacological treatments used in neurological disorders relevant to rehabilitation, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and spasticity.Applying knowledge and understandingRelate drug mechanisms of action to the clinical effects observed in patients, particularly with regard to muscle tone, motor function, pain, and functional abilities.Recognize the main therapeutic effects and adverse drug reactions that may influence the rehabilitation process.Apply acquired pharmacological knowledge to interpret the clinical condition of patients undergoing rehabilitation treatment.Making judgementsIdentify potential implications of pharmacological treatments on the rehabilitation pathway and on the patient’s response to therapy.Recognize the importance of considering drug effects within the multidisciplinary assessment of the patient.Communication skillsUse appropriate pharmacological terminology when communicating with other healthcare professionals.Clearly describe the main characteristics of the drugs most commonly used in patients undergoing rehabilitation treatment.Learning skillsDevelop the ability to consult and understand pharmacological information from reliable scientific and professional sources.Integrate pharmacological knowledge with the knowledge acquired in other areas of the educational programme to achieve a better understanding of the management of rehabilitation patients.