General Pharmacology

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology; Histology and Human Embryology; Human  Anatomy and Physiology.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodologies used in this course include:

- Lectures

- Presentation and discussion of scientific papers

- Seminars

Final exam (75%)

Presentation and discussion of scientific papers (25%)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course unit, the student will be able to: i) Know and understand the general mechanisms of drug action; ii) Know and understand the mechanisms of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs; ii) understand the adverse reactions to drugs, drug interactions and toxicity of drugs; iii) To know the stages of drug development and evaluation of quality / safety / efficacy of medicines.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Drug / medicine and dosage forms.

The mechanisms of drug action: general principles, cellular and molecular aspects.

The general cycle of drugs in the body: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination.

Changes in the response due to genetic problems. The Pharmacogenetics.

Adverse reactions to drugs.

Drug interactions.

Toxicity of drugs and the importance of Pharmacotoxicology.

Phases of drug discovery and development.

The steps for assessing quality / safety / efficacy of medicines.  

Head Lecturer(s)

Cláudia Margarida Gonçalves Cavadas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Research work: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Rang, Dale, Ritter & Flower. Rang & Dale's, Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier, 6^th Edition, 2007.  ISBN: 978-0-443-06911-6.

Brunton LL, Lazo JS, Parker KL (eds.). Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. McGraw‐Hill, 11^th Edition, 2006. ISBN0-07-142280-3

Artigos científicos