System Pharmacology

Course Content:

The module complements concepts delivered in Principles of Pharmacology with
Research Methods (LS5003) and applies them to a number of physiological system
disorders. The main feature of this module is, in each case, to study and discuss the
disease pathophysiology and the types of drugs used in therapy of such disorders,
alongside a rationale for their usage and any associated side effects.

Autumn semester content summary: study of the major disease states associated with
the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal, systems and drugs used to
treat them.

Spring semester content summary: study of the major disease states associated with
the endocrine and nervous systems and drugs used to treat them.

Topics covered may include:
? Mediator Pharmacology: Role of chemical mediators in the inflammatory
response. Anti-histamines and treatment of allergic disease. Drugs affecting
eicosanoid action including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs i.e. cyclooxygenase
(COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitors, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors 5-FLAP
inhibitors and leukotriene receptor antagonists. Platelet activating factor
antagonists.
? Cardiovascular Pharmacology: vasodilators, diuretics and inotropic agents in the
treatment of congestive heart failure with an emphasis on new therapies for
heart failure e.g. adrenoceptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, neutral endopeptidase
inhibitors, angiotensin II type I receptor blockers, vasopeptidase inhibitors,
endothelin receptor antagonists, aldosterone receptor antagonists.
? Drugs used in the treatment of arrhythmias which include sodium channel
blockers, adrenoceptor blockers, potassium channel blockers, calcium channel
blockers and other anti-arrhythmic agents. Use of drugs for the treatment of
angina, organic nitrates, adrenoceptor blockers and calcium channel blockers.
Antihypertensive drugs, to include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II type I
receptor blockers and, ?-adrenoceptor blockers. Drugs affecting blood, for
example thrombolytics, lipid lowering agents and anti-coagulants.
? Respiratory Pharmacology: drugs used in the treatment of asthma which
includes ?-adrenergic agonists, corticosteroids and other agents such as
theophylline. Use of drugs to treat and manage chronic obstructive pulmonary
diseases e.g. corticosteroids and ?-adrenergic agonists. Treatment of other
respiratory disorders such as rhinitis and cough
? Renal and Urogential Pharmacology: Description of agents which cause
natriuresis and diuresis. Drugs to be studied include loop diuretics, thiazide
diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics, osmotic diuretics and carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors. Drugs acting on urogenital smooth muscle which are used in the
treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, impotency and overactive bladder
? Gastrointestinal Pharmacology: treatment of peptic ulcers with antimicrobial
agents, histamine H2 receptor blockers, prostaglandins and proton pump
inhibitors as well as more recent developments in the study of Helicobacter
pylori. Therapies for other medical conditions involving the GI tract to include
agents to combat diarrhoea and constipation as well as control of chemotherapyinduced
emesis, Crohn?s disease and ulcerative colitis.
? Endocrine pharmacology: anti diabetic drugs, drugs acting on the thyroid,
corticosteroids, sex hormones and their analogues.
? Neuropharmacology: autonomic pharmacology, introduction to techniques
relevant to the study of neuropharmacology, anti Parkinsonian drugs,
antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, hypnotics and sedatives, drugs
of dependence and abuse.

Teaching: Lectures, tutorials, workshops, presentation sessions and practical sessions

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Exam: MCQ and essay (60%)
? Practical: Presentation (20%) and practical assessment (20%)
STUDY OPTION 2 or 3:
? Practical report (50%)
? Presentation (50%)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer