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. In the second part of the course, attention will be devoted to the study of the antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs used in antibacteria, antiviral, antimicotic and anticancer drugs..

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.

CHEMOTHERAPY

General issues of antimicrobial therapy.  Bacterial resistance.  Disinfection and sterilization. Sulfonamides and quinolones. Beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillins and cephalosporins. Other cell wall inhibitors  Aminoglycosides. Protein synthesis inhibitors. Chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Antifungal agents. Antiviral and antiretroviral agents.  Therapy of COVID-19. Antineoplastic agents. Chemotherapy of protozoal infections (malaria, amebiasis, trichomoniasis, trypanosomiasis).

I is highly recommended to have passed the exams of Biochemistry and Human Physiology

At the end of the course, students should demonstrate  

a robust knowledge and competence about:   a) the principles of general pharmacology; b) the principles of chemo-antiobiotic therapy c) the different classes of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents and their therapeutic use in relation to type of the infection/infestion or of the type of tumor. (Knowledge and understanding);

-the scientific background needed to evaluate and solve the problems regarding the general principles of drug use and prescription, and those pertining to the classes the chemo-antibiotic agents in a professional setting. (Applying knowledge patience and understanding)

-critical and competent assessment capacity: i.e. the ability to integrate their own knowledge and make judgments in theoretical situations or complex practices with regard to the issues typical of the discipline,  (Making judgments)

- the ability to communicate the acquired knowledge in general pharmacology and chemo-antibiotic therapy in a clear, essential and scientifically correct shape (Communication);

- demonstrate the ability to develop their own learning with autonomy and critical sense. This ability will be encouraged during the entire course by the teacher and will be evaluated on examination
(Learning skills).

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

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped learning: the students (2/3 in turn at the beginning of each lesson) will illustrate to the class a 10 min synthesis of the arguments of the previous lesson.

Attendance

None

Course books

• H.P. Rang, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson. "Farmacologia". Ottava edizione
• as an alternative: R. Levine "Farmacologia. Azioni e reazioni dei farmaci" EMSI

       Both the textbooks are available in English

Assessment

Oral exam

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.

Attendance

None

Course books

• H.P. Rang, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson. "Farmacologia". Ottava edizione
• as an alternative: R. Levine "Farmacologia. Azioni e reazioni dei farmaci" EMSI

       Both the textbooks are available in English

Assessment

Oral exam

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.