PHAR 901 - Human Pharmacology

Course Summary
Pharmacology is the study of drug action. This course will cover the major classes of therapeutically relevant drugs, and how they work at the molecular and cellular levels. The major topics include: general principles, chemical mediators, drugs affecting major organ systems, chemotherapy of infectious and malignant disease, and the central nervous system. Since drugs work by modifying the body's physiological and biochemical processes, it is necessary to know how the body works, and Physiology (BIMS 832) is a prerequisite.

Time and Place
Mon-Wed-Fri: 1:30-3:00 pm
Pharmacology Conference Room, 5023 Jordan

Course coordinators: Dr. Ed Perez-Reyes (982-4440; eperez@virginia.edu) & Tammy Snow (924-1897)

Lecture Topics
General Principles: Pharmacodynamics (K. Lynch), Biotransformation, and Pharmacokinetics (E. Perez-Reyes).

Chemical Mediators: Autonomic Nervous System (J. Garrison), Cholinergic Transmission (J. Garrison), Noradrenergic Transmission (J. Garrison), Gastrointestinal System (J. Garrison), Local Hormones, Inflammation & Allergy (L. Hedrick), Anti-Inflammatory & Immunosuppressant Drugs (L. Hedrick).

Drugs Affecting Major Organ Systems: Diuretics (P. Barrett), Smooth Muscle/Renin-Angiotensin System (P. Barrett), Angina (P. Guyenet), Antiarrhythmics (P. Guyenet), Heart Failure (P. Guyenet), Hypertension (C. McNamara), Calcium Metabolism (P. Barrett), Reproductive (P. Shupnik), Anti-thrombotics (N. Leitinger), Hyperlipidemia (E. Perez-Reyes), Obesity (C. Li), and Diabetes (R. Mirmira).

Chemotherapy of Infectious and Malignant Disease:  Antibacterial (K. Lynch), Antifungal (K. Lynch), Antiviral (K. Lynch), and Antineoplastic (K. Lynch).

The Central Nervous System: Dopamine/Parkinsons (D. Rosin), Antidepressants (D. Rosin), Antipsychotics (D. Rosin), General/Local Anesthetics (P. Guyenet),  Anxiolytics & Hyponotics (P. Guyenet), Antiepileptics (J. Kapur), Analgesics (R. Stornetta), and Drugs Of Abuse (R. Stornetta).

Assessment
There will be four exams, each contributing 25% to the final grade. Exams are designed around the four modules, and will focus on mechanisms of action.

Course Reading
Pharmacology (5th Edition) by H.P. Rang, M.M. Dale and J.M. Ritter and P. Gardner, published by Churchill Livingstone, 2003. Available at the Corner "Student Book Store."

Powerpoint Presentations
Will be used to supplement the book, and are available on the web.

http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/courseSites/subjects.cfm?CID=31