The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about routes of administration, metabolism, distribution, and elimination of synthetic and plant-derived drugs as well as the basic concepts of their therapeutic and adverse effects. 

PHARMACOLOGY: general principles: drug, medicine and poison.
Pharmacokinetics: Physicochemical factors in transfer of drugs across membranes. Drug absorption, bioavailability, and routes of administration. Distribution of drugs. Biotransformation of drugs. Excretion of drugs. Clinical pharmacokinetics.
Pharmacodynamics: Mechanisms of drug action. Drug receptors. Receptors for physiological regulatory molecules. Quantitation of drug-receptor interactions. Dose-effect relationship.

It is highly recommended to previously pass the following exams: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology,  and Physiology.

At the end of the course the student possesses the basic knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the kinetics of a drug in the body as well as interactions with the biological targets responsible for its activity. In particular, the student: - knows the essential elements of pharmacokinetics, - understands the basics of biotransformation, - knows how to interact with biological targets.

The topics discussed will then provide the student with basic knowledge of the relationships between drugs and molecular mechanisms of cellular metabolism. In addition, the major issues related to possible interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and nutrition.

Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student will have the skills to understand of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and the notions relating to the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of synthetic or natural drugs.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student must be able to understand how the therapeutic response of drugs is conditioned by their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characteristics.

Judgment. At the end of the course, the student must be able to analyse and then predict therapeutic alternatives based on the pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics parameters of the different drugs (natural or synthetic).

Communication skills. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he/she is able to expose the notions referred in section knowledge and understanding through a scientific and critical lexicon.

Learning skills. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he is able to independently know and learn the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of synthetic and natural drugs that modulate the different pharmacological responses. Furthermore, will be able to build up his scientific knowledge in a critical way, using not only the study material provided by the professor but also dedicating himself to in-depth studies.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Frontal lessons (MS Power Point).

The teaching material and the teacher's specific communications can be found, together with other support activities, within the Moodle platform> blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons (MS Power Point).

Course books

H.P. Rang, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson. "Farmacologia". 8th Edition. 
F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli, "Farmacologia Generale e Molecolare", 4th Edition

Assessment

The course is examined through oral examination with questions to evaluate the students' knowledge about the mechanisms of basic principles of pharmacology;  address the issues related to potential interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and food. The final mark (out of 30) will be based on the skill of the students to answer properly to the questions.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are encouraged to submit the Moodle teaching material (slide discussed in the lesson) through which you can deepen the study of the volumes indicated in the "Study texts" section.

Course books

H.P. Rang, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson. "Farmacologia". 8th Edition. 
F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli, "Farmacologia Generale e Molecolare", 4th Edition

Assessment

The course is examined through oral examination with questions to evaluate the students' knowledge about the mechanisms of basic principles of pharmacology;  address the issues related to potential interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and food. The final mark (out of 30) will be based on the skill of the students to answer properly to the questions.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

It is highly recommended to previously pass the following exams: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology,  and Physiology.