Pharmacology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with the knowledge related to the mechanism of action, therapeutic action, adverse reactions and the use of drugs in the treatment and prevention of diseases. To do this the course will provide students with the essential concepts and tools for understanding and knowing:
- the principles of drug interaction with their receptors and their effect at the level of cells, tissues and the body (pharmacodynamics);
- the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs within the body (pharmacokinetics) and the bases of possible drug interactions;
- the genetic basis (pharmacogenetics) and not of the interindividual variability of drug response;
- the principles of the development of new drugs, clinical trials and pharmacovigilance;
- the main classes of drugs active on the different organs and systems and the main classes of chemotherapeutic drugs.
- the principles of drug interaction with their receptors and their effect at the level of cells, tissues and the body (pharmacodynamics);
- the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs within the body (pharmacokinetics) and the bases of possible drug interactions;
- the genetic basis (pharmacogenetics) and not of the interindividual variability of drug response;
- the principles of the development of new drugs, clinical trials and pharmacovigilance;
- the main classes of drugs active on the different organs and systems and the main classes of chemotherapeutic drugs.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to learn about the therapeutic use of the different classes of drugs based on the knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of their action, the fundamental principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and variability of response in relation to gender, genetic and pathophysiological factors. Furthermore the student should be able to read and interpret the therapeutic schemes paying particular attention to the possible drug interactions and adverse reactions.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
General and clinical pharmacology
Introduction and history of pharmacology
Drug-receptor interactions
Receptors and signal transduction
Pharmacokinetics
Drug interactions
Pharmacovigilance
Clinical toxicology
Pharmacogenetics
Regulaion in drug development
Complementary medicines
Cardiovascular and pulmonary pharmacology
Pharmacology of the cholinergic and adrenergic systems
Organic nitrates nitric oxide
Antihypertensive drugs
Anticoagulants and fibrinolytics
Treatment of heart failure
Treatment of angina
Pharmacological therapy of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Gastrointestinal pharmacology
Anti-vomiting, prokinetic, antihistamine and anti-ulcer drugs
Pharmacological therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases
Drugs of the immune system and inflammation
Corticosteroids
NSAIDs
Immunomodulatory drugs
Neuropsychopharmacology
The opioid system and opioid drugs
Cannabinoids
Psychosis and mania therapy
Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's therapy
Epilepsy therapy
Serotonergic system and therapy for depression and anxiety
General and local anesthetics
Pharmacology of the endocrine system
Estrogens and progestins and osteoporosis therapy
Therapy of diabetes mellitus
Therapy of obesity
Therapy of dyslipidemia
Chemotherapy
Introduction to antibiotic chemotherapy and its problems
Anti-tuberculosis therapy
Antiviral therapy
Anticancer therapy
Introduction and history of pharmacology
Drug-receptor interactions
Receptors and signal transduction
Pharmacokinetics
Drug interactions
Pharmacovigilance
Clinical toxicology
Pharmacogenetics
Regulaion in drug development
Complementary medicines
Cardiovascular and pulmonary pharmacology
Pharmacology of the cholinergic and adrenergic systems
Organic nitrates nitric oxide
Antihypertensive drugs
Anticoagulants and fibrinolytics
Treatment of heart failure
Treatment of angina
Pharmacological therapy of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Gastrointestinal pharmacology
Anti-vomiting, prokinetic, antihistamine and anti-ulcer drugs
Pharmacological therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases
Drugs of the immune system and inflammation
Corticosteroids
NSAIDs
Immunomodulatory drugs
Neuropsychopharmacology
The opioid system and opioid drugs
Cannabinoids
Psychosis and mania therapy
Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's therapy
Epilepsy therapy
Serotonergic system and therapy for depression and anxiety
General and local anesthetics
Pharmacology of the endocrine system
Estrogens and progestins and osteoporosis therapy
Therapy of diabetes mellitus
Therapy of obesity
Therapy of dyslipidemia
Chemotherapy
Introduction to antibiotic chemotherapy and its problems
Anti-tuberculosis therapy
Antiviral therapy
Anticancer therapy
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of biomedical sciences and pathophysiology
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching supported by powerpoint presentations
Teaching Resources
"Goodman & Gilman, Le basi farmacologiche della terapia, editore Zanichelli AA VV Farmacologia generale e molecolare a cura di F. Clementi e G Fumagalli, editore Edra SpA
Katzung, Farmacologia generale e clinica, editore Piccin
Rossi, Cuomo, Riccardi: Farmacologia. Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche, editore Minerva Medica."
Katzung, Farmacologia generale e clinica, editore Piccin
Rossi, Cuomo, Riccardi: Farmacologia. Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche, editore Minerva Medica."
Assessment methods and Criteria
Preliminary multiple-choice test, preparatory to the oral exam admission:
This consists of answering a set of multiple-choice questions covering the entire exam syllabus, with questions distributed among the various topics in proportion to their relevance. The test includes 35 questions, each with four possible answers, which may be independently true or false.
Passing the multiple-choice test grants access to the oral exam during the same exam session, and only during that session. If the oral exam is not passed, the student must retake the multiple-choice test, even in exam periods that include multiple sessions.
The examination lasts 90 minutes
Oral exam:
It consists of an interview covering topics from the entire syllabus. The exam will involve a discussion aimed at assessing the student's level of knowledge, understanding, and ability to connect and integrate the course content. The oral exam will also allow for the evaluation of the student's communication skills and command of subject-specific language. The oral exam must be taken during the same exam session in which the multiple-choice test was completed.
This consists of answering a set of multiple-choice questions covering the entire exam syllabus, with questions distributed among the various topics in proportion to their relevance. The test includes 35 questions, each with four possible answers, which may be independently true or false.
Passing the multiple-choice test grants access to the oral exam during the same exam session, and only during that session. If the oral exam is not passed, the student must retake the multiple-choice test, even in exam periods that include multiple sessions.
The examination lasts 90 minutes
Oral exam:
It consists of an interview covering topics from the entire syllabus. The exam will involve a discussion aimed at assessing the student's level of knowledge, understanding, and ability to connect and integrate the course content. The oral exam will also allow for the evaluation of the student's communication skills and command of subject-specific language. The oral exam must be taken during the same exam session in which the multiple-choice test was completed.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 80 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 40 hours
Lessons - Innovative Teaching: 40 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
on appointment to be organised via e-mail
"Palazzina LITA-Vialba"