This book covers the whole gamut of pharmacology from basic science pharmacology and pathophysiology, through clinical pharmacology to therapeutics. This integrative approach is in line with the new medical curricula. The first section covers the basic principles, followed by the bulk of the book organised by body systems. The book ends with sections on toxicity and prescribing practice. Each chapter ends with case histories, multiple choice questions and a tabular presentation of all common drugs within a particular class.
The level of detail closely matches the needs of medical students and the current medical curriculum.
General Principles. Sites and mechanisms of drug action. Pharmacokinetics. Drug discovery, evaluation and safety. The nervous system, neurotransmission and the peripheral nervous system.
Respiratory system. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other respiratory problems.
Renal system. Diuretics. Disorders of micturition. Erectile dysfunction.
Nervous system. General anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics. Opioid analgesics. Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics. Psychotic disorders. Depression. Epilepsy. Extrapyramidal movement disorders and spasticity. Other neurological disorers. Migraine.
Gastrointestinal system. Nausea and vomiting. Dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease. Inflammatory bowel disease. Constipation, diarrhoea and IBS. Obesity.
Immune system. The immune response and immunosuppressant drugs. Antihistamines and allergic disease.
Endocrine system and metabolic disease. Diabetes mellitus. Thyroid disease. Calcium metabolism. Pituitary and hypothalmic hormones. Corticosteroids. Female reproductive system. Androgens and anabolic steroids. Anaemia. Lipids.
Skin and eye disorders. Skin disorders. Eye disorders
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy of infection. Chemotherapy of malignancy.
Drug toxicity and prescribing. Drug toxicity and overdose. Drug abuse and dependence. Prescribing, adherence and information for patients. Drug therapy in special situations.