OVERVIEW

The course  focuses on the main classes of therapeutics. It aims at providing the knowledge of the mechanisms of drugs action, of  the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological profile of drugs, their use in therapy, their side and adverse effects and the more important pharmacological interactions. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course, students are capable to manage and  dispense drugs, to manage pharmacovigilance issues and to form and inform people about the correct use of drugs. In addition, students will be able to discuss and evaluate as well the suitable experimental approach (in vitro models) for screening new drugs, for  highlighting the cellular /molecular mechanisms underlying drug efficiency and toxicity to propose the pharmacological characterization and, if possible, the repurposing of drugs for their use in theraphy.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course, students are capable to manage and  dispense drugs, to monitor the effectiveness of teh theraphy and to hypothesize the onset of side effects and adverse drg reactions. They will be able to manage pharmacovigilance issues and to form and inform people about the correct use of drugs.

In addition, students will be able to discuss and evaluate as well the suitable experimental approach (in vitro and in vivo models) for screening preclinically drugs, for  highlighting the cellular /molecular mechanisms underlying their efficiency and toxic effects as well,  to propose the pharmacological characterization and, if possible, the repurposing of drugs for their use in theraphy.

Attention will be payed to precision medicine, to personalized medicine and to the advance of pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomics. 

PREREQUISITES

 Only for students who already attended the classes of biology, physiology, pathology and general pharmacology

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons in classroom, (PC - connection to specific web sites), followed by interactive sessions. Because of theCOVID emergency, lessons and examinations will be also carried out at distance or with a blended approach, that will be adopted based on the gravity of the pandemia and on the UNIGE and department recommendations.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Elements of Pharmacosurveillance

Periferic nervous system and neuromuscolar junction

 ,  

Anatomy and general function of the periferic nervous system

        

Cholinergic agonists and antagonists and cholinesterase inhibitory drugs

         

Adrenergic agonists and antagonists

        

Pharmacology of neuromuscolar transmission



Local anesthetics



Drugs affecting uterine motility



Drugs used in the treatment of migraine



Drugs acting at Central nervous system

 level

Anatomy and general functions of the central nervous system

        

General Anesthetics



Drugs effective in the therapy of the epilepsies



Drugs for Parkinson desease



Drugs used in the treatment of psychoses



Treatment of depressive disorders



Opioids: agonists and antagonists



Treatment of the anxiety disorders



Treatment of central nervous system degenerative disorders



Cardiovascular and renal system



Drugs for the treatment of cardiac insufficiency and ischemia



Antiarrhythmic drugs



Drugs acting on the Renin and angiotensin

 system        

Antihypertensive agents and the drug therapy of hypertension



Diuretics



Immune system and inflammation



Histamine, bradykinin and their antagonist



Lipid-derived autacoids: eicosanoids e PAF



Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory drugs



Glucocorticoids



Immunosuppressive agents and immunostimulants

 

Drugs acting on the blood

 

Hematopoietic agents



Anticoagulant – Thrombolytic – Antiplatelet – Antifribinolytic drugs

         

Drugs used in the treatment of anemia



Drugs capable to modify plasmatic lipid levels



Drugs acting on the bronchial function



Bronchodilatators and other agents used in the treatment of asthma



Antitussive agents and mucolitics

 

Drugs affecting gastrointestinal function



Agents used for control of gastric acidità and treatment of peptic ulcers

 

Agents used for diarrhea – costipation – Antiemetics and prokinetic agents



Hormones and hormone antagonists



Hypothalamic and pituitary hormones



 Estrogens, progestins, androgens and their antagonists



Pancreatic hormones – oral hypoglycemic agents



Agents affecting calcification and bone turnover



Thyroid and antithyroid drugs



RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM et al., Farmacologia , Elsevier , settima edizione

Annunziato L e Di Renzo GF, Trattato di farmacologia, Idelson Gnocchi, seconda edizione

Goodman and Gilman The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, Mc Graw Hill

Govoni S Farmacologia, Casa Editrice Ambrosian

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANNA MARIA PITTALUGA (President)

MASSIMO GRILLI

CHIARA CERVETTO (Substitute)

ERNESTO FEDELE (Substitute)

MARCO MILANESE (Substitute)

GUENDALINA OLIVERO (Substitute)

LUCA RAITERI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lesson start is indicated in the "Manifesto degli Studi"  and notified on the web site of the School

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students will take an oral exam on the date indicated, that will consist of  the discussion of at least four arguments  from different sections of the program afforded in class.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

questions  will concern the syllabus contents and will be devoted to evaluate  the comprehension, the elarning skills, the knowledge acquired and their ability to communicate it. 

Exam schedule