14163 - Pharmacology I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has the basic knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate the kinetics of a drug in the body as well as the drug interactions with the biological targets responsible for its activity. In particular, the student: - knows the essential pharmacokinetic elements, - understands the general bases of biotransformation, - knows how drugs interact with their biological targets and the biological outcomes of these interactions.

Course contents

The Course of Pharmacology I is made up by two parts (modules) covering the principles of General Pharmacology:
Pharmacodynamics (Module 1) and Pharmacokinetics (Module 2).

Program Module 1 - Pharmacodynamics


Pharmacodymamics: sites and mechanisms of actions of drugs; drug-receptor interactions and their cellular consequences; dose-response relationships; drugs acting as agonists, antagonists or partial agonists; factors modifying drug actions (e.g. age, pathologies, drug interactions, tolerance, placebo). Drug interactions. General Toxicity: adverse effects; overdose effects; idiosyncratic or allergic reactions; abuse liability. Preclinical and clinical drug development. Pharmacovigilance.

Program Module 1 - Pharmacokinetics

 

General principles about transfer of drugs across membranes for drug absorption. Administration routes and drug absorption. Distribution: volume of distribution, binding to plasma proteins. Biotransformations: phase 1 and phase 2 reactions; biotransformations outside the liver; pharmacometabolic induction and inhibition. Drug excretion. Pharmacokinetic parameters (clearance, half-life, single or repeated administrations, bioavailability). Individual variability in responding to drugs (age, ethnicity, pregnancy, disease, pharmacologic interactions).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material consists of the recommended textbooks and the material made available to students on the dedicated website. The teaching material provided on the dedicated website and the notes taken in class are essential for preparing for the exam.

The teaching material presented in class is not a substitute for the reference texts but rather an integration of these, and constitutes a guide for the selection and understanding of the topics to be covered.

Reference texts:

Govoni S. et al., "Farmacologia", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2024

FURLANUT - Farmacologia Generale e Clinica per le Lauree Sanitarie, III Edizione – Ed. Piccin

RD. HOWLAND, MJ. MYCEK - Le basi della farmacologia. - Edizioni Zanichelli

F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli, "Farmacologia Generale e Molecolare", CEA, 2018

Katzung BG, "Farmacologia Generale e clinica", 11th Ed. Piccin.

Teaching methods

The teaching is divided into lectures and discussion. The lectures will be held in person or remotely depending on the indications of the academic bodies. The lectures include the projection of slides useful to students as a guide for the explanation. The student can interact with the teacher to ask for clarifications regarding the topic covered. The teaching material will be distributed to students on the dedicated website.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment of the Pharmacology I Course is done through an oral exam, in person subject to health or flood-related conditions in the area, location within a high-risk zone (in accordance with new regulations), or the student's vulnerability (to be assessed by the DSA service); such cases will be evaluated individually, and if they meet the criteria, the exam may be taken via the TEAMS platform.

The examination is done on each of the two teaching modules (taken on the same or on different dates), which aims to verify and evaluate the achievement of the learning objectives.

During the oral exam (divided into at least three questions for each Module, lasting approximately 30 minutes for each Module), the student's ability to deal transversally and critically with the topics proposed as content of the teaching will be assessed. The student's demonstration of mastery of the subject, critical ability and possession of specific language will be evaluated with excellent marks. Lack of orientation in the topics covered during the course, training gaps and inappropriate language will determine negative evaluations.

For Module I, the following is required: knowledge of the pharmacokinetic processes that govern the presence of the drug in the body, from its entry to its elimination.

For Module II, the following is required: knowledge of the principles of the mechanism of action of drugs, the characteristics and pharmacodynamic consequences of their interaction with the biological structures responsible for their therapeutic / toxic effects, as well as their variability.

The final grade of the Pharmacology I Course is defined by the average of the evaluation of the answers to the exam interviews of each of the two modules (taken on the same or on different dates).

Since the Pharmacology I Course is integrated (I.C.) with the Pharmacology II Course, it is necessary to take and pass the two exams according to their sequence, on separate dates or on the same date.

Regarding learning assessments, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The teaching material presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format, on the website http://virtuale.unibo.it. Username and password are reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna.

“Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the competent University Office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). It will be the responsibility of the Office to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, at least 15 days in advance, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the appropriateness also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.”

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Canistro

See the website of Laura Rullo