Principles of Drug Action

Overview

ADME: The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, toxicology
Receptors: Introduction to pharmacology; classification of receptors and drug targets; quantification of drug-receptor interactions.
Peripheral Nervous System: Introduction to the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions) and the pharmacology of the drugs directed against this system. Introduction to the neuromuscular junction and the pharmacology of drugs directed against this system.
Inflammatory Disease: The pharmacology of drugs used to treat inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract and the musculoskeletal system.
Infectious Disease: The pharmacology of drugs used to treat infectious diseases.
Cardiovascular Disease: The pharmacology of drugs used to treat cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Diabetes and GI tract: The pharmacology of drugs used to treat diabetes and GI tract related disease.
Cancer: The pharmacology of drugs used for cancer treatment.
Antibody Drugs: The uses and pharmacology of antibody based drugs.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module students should be able to:

Explain the factors that affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs.
Explain the basic principles of toxicology and drug interactions
Explain and analyse the qualitative and quantitative aspects of drug-receptor interactions.
Describe the basic structure and function of the autonomic nervous system and explain the mechanisms of action of drugs targeted against this system.
Explain the mechanisms of action of drugs used for the treatment of a range of inflammatory, infectious, cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases, as well as those used to treat diabetes and cancer.

Skills

On completion of the module the student will have had opportunity to develop their -
Knowledge of the physicochemical properties of a drug, be able to predict those factors that might influence its absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Ability to interpret, analyse and report on the results of relevant experimental pharmacological data. They will also have gained communication and team working skills.
IT skills, e.g., word processing, graph plotting (computerised) and statistical analysis of data (linear regression).
Analytical skills, e.g., use of mathematics to determine drug parameters from data.
Interpretative skills, e.g., ability to discuss the significance of qualitative and quantitative differences between drugs; ability to read material accurately and reliably.
Presentation skills, e.g., ability to analyse information and select relevant information; ability to prepare presentation to relay relevant information; ability to present this information in a coherent manner.

Assessment

Written examination, practicals, computer classes, coursework submission