46248 - General Pharmacology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the general  principles of drug administration, the concepts of risk-benefit of drug therapy, the health risk of doping.

Course contents

Classification of drugs

Pharmacokinetic

Routes of administration of drugs. Enteral versus parenteral administration.

The dynamics of drug absorption, Transfer of drugs across membranes. Distribution and bioavailability of drugs.

Metabolism of drugs

Excretion of drugs: renal excretion, biliary excretion

Pharmacokinetic parameters.

Pharmacodynamic

Mechanisms of drug action. Drug effects. Drug receptor interaction. Agonist and antagonist. Drug therapy. Relationship between the therapeutic effects and the adverse effects of drug.

Potency and relative efficacy of drug. Adverse drug reactions and drug toxicity.

The safety of dietary supplements for athletes.

Drug therapy of inflammation: non steroinal anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids.

Pulmonary pharmacology: the mechanism of action of drugs and therapeutic uses. Ashma: bronchodilators; corticosteroids. Drugs of cough. Drug of rhinitis

Therapeutic treatment of athletes: correct use of drug. Risk/benefit of drug. Therapeutic Use Exemption. Doping epidemiology. List of prohibited substances and methods. Concepts of doping risk. Principles of anti-doping testing.

The toxic effects of  prohibited substances.  Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: mechanism of action, methods of administration, adverse effects for athletes, anti-doping controls.  Adverse effects associated with the abuse of glucocorticoids. The abuse of beta-2-agonist and the health risks for athletes.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Drug in Sport, 7th Edition Mottram D.R., Chester N.

 

Teaching methods

Lectures with multimedia aids

Assessment methods

The exam  of  "Physical Activity and Health -Integrated Course  includes a written test of Internal Medicine course unit (3CFU), an oral exam of Fitness and Physical Activities for Health (6CFU) and an oral exam of General Pharmacology (3 CFU).

Admission to oral exam depends on the result of the written test (=,>18/30).

Prerequisites: Human Physiology (C.I.)

To check exam dates students can access AlmaEsami

The  exam  of "General pharmacology" course unit consists of an oral interview. Two questions related to the topics of the program will be asked to the student. Others specific questions can be asked for evaluating the student's preparation.

The student will get a mark, for each course unit. The 3 partial marks, in proportion to the number of credits, contribute to the final mark. The student passes the exam if he/she takes at least 18/30 in  each course unit.

Teaching tools

The teaching material presented at the lectures is available on "Insegnamenti On Line" plarform of the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Maffei