Pharmacology curricula from Italian Universities
University of Bari, Italy: School of Pharmacy; Pharmacology courses: Pharmacology I, Pharmacology II Pharmacology I
Contact: Prof. Flavia Valtorta; Dipartimento
Farmacobiologico, Facoltą di Farmacia, Universitą di Bari, Via Orabona, 4; 70125 BARI, ITALY. Tel.: +39 080 544 2801; Fax +39 080 544 2801 The course extends for 2 semesters during the 3rd
year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 250. Hours of teaching: Lectures 80 h. Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 4 pharmacology software programs are available.
Content of the course The course is designed to give the students basic knowledge on:
Pharmacology II
Contact: Dr Annamaria De Luca, Dipartimento Farmacobiologico, Facoltą di Farmacia, Universitą di Bari. Via Orabona, 4, 70125 BARI, ITALY. Tel.: +39 080 544 2802; Fax +39 080 544 2801;
e-mail: adeluca@farmabiol.uniba.it
The course extends for 2 semesters during the 4th year The number of students attending the course is approximately 250; Hours of teaching: Lectures 80 h. Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access to
computer rooms; 4 pharmacology softwares are available. Content of the course The course is designed to give the students basic knowledge on:
University of Milano, School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology III
Pharmacology courses: Pharmacology III, Cellular Toxicology
Contact: Prof. Marina Marinovich, Istituto di Scienze Farmacologiche , Universitą di Milano, Via Bolzaretti 9, Milano, Italy.
Tel. +39 02-20488225; Fax +39 02-29404961; e-mail Marina.Marinovich@unimi.it The course extends for 1 semesters during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 90. Hours of teaching:
Lectures 70 h. Evaluation is by oral exam Curriculum of the course List of topics
Cellular Toxicology
AIM OF THE COURSE The course gives the basis to evaluate the potential risks for human health deriving from the exposure to xenobiotics. The
course provides information on the principles, concepts and methods of toxicology. Mechanisms of toxicity are emphasized. Toxic agents are discussed in terms of their target organs, use, source and effects. Some lessons are devoted
to experimental design and toxicological protocol. All together this knowledge should allow the evaluation of risk assessment and then to establish the safe use and exposure to chemicals.
SECTION I
: General principles of toxicology, Mechanisms of toxicity, Absorption, distribution and excretion of xenobiotics, Metabolism. SECTION II-TOXIC EFFECTS: Genotoxicity and mutagenicity, Carcinogenesis, Developmental
toxicity, Immunotoxicology, SECTION III- TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY: Heart and vascular system, Eye and Skin, Liver, Kidney, Nervou system, Blood, Reproductive system, Lung, Gastrointestinal tract. SECTION IV-TOXIC AGENTS: Drugs,
Solvents, Pesticides, Plants and animal Toxins, Metals, Radioactivity. SECTION V-APPLICATIONS OF TOXICOLOGY: Food toxicology, Occupational toxicology, Ecotoxicology, Regulatory toxicology, Risk assessment
The course extends for 1 semesters during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is < 60. Hours of teaching: Lectures 35 h.
Evaluation is by oral exam Curriculum of the course
AIM OF THE COURSE The course reviews the cellular mechanisms that contribute to the manifestations of toxicities, focussing on those that have been identified
definitevely or tentatively in humans or animals. Toxicity is typically mediated by a reaction of the ultimate toxicant with a target molecule, often resulting in impaired cellular function. The course describes the interactions
between toxic chemical and different cellular targets, resulting in a toxic effect or in repair. An understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity from a molecular and cellular point of view provides a rational basis for
interpreting descriptive toxicity data, estimating the probability that a chemical will cause harmful effects, designing drugs and industrial chemicals that are less hazardous. In addition,
Topics University of Bari, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies; Pharmacology I Universitą di Bari, Via Orabona, 4, 70125 BARI, ITALY. Tel. +39 080 544 2801; Fax +39
080 544 2801; e-mail: conte@farmabiol.uniba.it The course extends for 2 semesters during the 3rd year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 250. Hours of teaching: Lectures 80 h. Evaluation is
by oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 4 pharmacology softwares are available Content of the course The course is designed to give the students basic knowledge on:
Pharmacology II The course extends for 2 semesters during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 250. Hours of teaching: Lectures 80
h. Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 4 pharmacology softwares are available. Content of the course The course is designed to give the students basic knowledge on:
Pharmacology III Contact: Prof. Flavia Valtorta, Dipartimento Farmacobiologico, Facoltą di Farmacia, Universitą di Bari, Via Orabona, 4, 70125 BARI, ITALY. Tel.: +39 080 544 2801; Fax +39 080
544 2801 The course extends for 1 semester during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 250. Hours of teaching: Lectures 40 h. Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access
to computer rooms; 4 pharmacology softwares are available. Content of the course The course is designed to give the students basic knowledge on: a) General toxicology
b) Principles of toxicology c) Absorption, distribution and excretion of toxic compounds; d) Estimation of the risk e) Mutagenesis Carcinogenesis; teratogenesis; f) Systemic Toxicology
g) Toxicology of abuse; Clinical Toxicology h)Environmental Toxicology
i) Dietary alimentary and nutritional toxicology. University of Ferrara, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies,
Pharmacology courses: Toxicology Toxicology Contact: Tel 0532 291208; Fax 0532 291205; email: The course extends for 1 semesters during the 4th year. The number of students attending
the course is <60. Hours of teaching: Lectures 80 h; Tutorials: 3h for each group of approx. 5 students; Seminars: 12 h. Evaluation is by MCQ and oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 4 pharmacology softwares
are available. Content of the course 1st UNIT- (15 HOURS) General toxicology. Absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion of toxicants. Mechanisms of toxicity. Allergic
and idiosyncratic reactions to drugs; tolerance, dependence abstinence. Xenobiotic interactions. Antidotes. 2nd UNIT- (20 HOURS) Target organ toxicity.
Mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, teratogenesis. Experimental assessment of acute and chronic toxicity. 3rd UNIT- (15 HOURS) Toxic agents.
Pollutants, pesticides, metals, mushrooms, drugs. Drug abuse. 4th UNIT- (10 HOURS) Chemotherapy. General principles, mechanisms of antibiotic actions, resistance. Hormones.
Place in therapy and toxicity. The course includes further 60 hours of individual, small-group, or class work on molecular mechanisms, seminars and discussion on topics of the above units. University of Catanzaro "Magna Grecia", School of Medicine, Pharmacology courses: General Pharmacology, Advanced Pharmacology General Pharmacology
Contact: The course extends for 1 semester during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately
100. Hours of teaching: Lectures 40 h, Practical: 10 h; Tutorials: 10 h for each group of approx 20 students; Videos: 4 h. Evaluation is by MCQ and oral exam. Content of the course
1) Pharmacokinetic
Way of administration of drugs, drug absorption and distribution, binding of drugs to plasma protein, metabolism of drugs, elimination or excretion of drugs, drugs interactions. 2) Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of drug
action, Therapeutic index, dose-response relationship. Variation of the dose-response curve. Factors influencing pharmacological response: indifference, possibility of interactions and their practice consequence (p.e.
incompatibility, drug antagonism, antidotism, incompatibility, synergism, partial agonism).
3) Toxicology
Pharmaco-intolerance: pharmaco-allergy, pharmaco-genetic, pharmaco- idiosyncrasy. Principles of toxicology, fundamental and applied genetic toxicology, toxic effects on genetic material and cell
replication, clinical management of poisoning, treatment of poisoning. Biological changes that results from repeated drug use: tolerance, addiction, adverse reactions, altered rates of drug metabolism and so forth.
4) Drug abuse
Drug abuse. Heroin, morphine and opioid agents, amphetamine, cocaine and psycho stimulants, Indian canapé, LSD, ecstasy and legal drugs, clinical management of drug abuse, treatment of drug dependence.
5) Pharmaceutical formats and drugs prescription
Dermatological and ophthalmologic ointments, inhalations, syrups, creams, guts, ocular baths, capsule, elixir, tablets, suppositories, gargles, colluttories, gargles, collyriums. Pharmaceutical forms for oral
somministration at prolonged give in. Injectable forms. Prescription: General rules for common prescription, particular rules for the prescription of narcotic drugs. Posology of drugs with particular reference to age.
Pharmaceutical forms: "Officinal" and "magisterial".
6) Drugs administration
Natural and artificial ways of administration. The importance of the delayed adsorption and the slow release formulations. Factors affecting absorption, distribution, binding and elimination
7) Pharmacological monitoring
Motivation for the drugs monitoring. 8) Adverse Drug Reactions surveillance and pharmacoepidemiology 9) Pharmacoeconomy 10) Drugs experimentation Drug
control and development, clinical testing of drugs, phases of clinical investigation. Means of toxicological inquiry on animal (acute and sub acute toxicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity, Variations of sensibility.
Advanced Pharmacology Contact: The course
extends for 1 semester during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 100. Hours of teaching: Lectures 60 h; Practical: 10 h; Tutorials: 10 h for each group of approx 20 students; Videos: 8 h.
Evaluation is by MCQ and oral exam Content of the course 1. Drugs affecting the central nervous system Drug and chemical transmitters: cholinergic, cathecolaminergic, serotoninergic, gabaergic,
glutaminergic, peptidergic, purinergic and histaminergic transmission. Nitric oxide. Central Nervous System stimulants or psycho analeptic drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Drugs used in Mood disorders: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Drugs in headache: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Major tranquillisers or Antipsychotic
drugs or neuroleptic drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Minor tranquillisers or neurosedatives drugs or anxiolytic agents: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse
effects. Sedative-hypnotic. Drugs used in Parkinson: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. General anaesthesia: intravenous and inhalational agents and local anaesthetics (classification,
mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Opioid and Non-opioid agents: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Agents affecting neuromuscular transmission: classification, mechanism of
action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Pseudo- curarics and central myorelaxants. Anticonvulsant drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Pharmaco therapeutical monitoring.
2. Drugs affecting the Cardiovascular System
Cardiac glycosides and other drugs used in myocardial insufficiency: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Antiarrhytmic drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Drugs used in coronary insufficiency: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Cardio
kinetics drugs: methyl xanthines, drugs stimulants - adrenergic receptors: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Anti angina pectoris drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical
uses, adverse effects. The renin- angiotensin system and other vasoactive substances. - blockers agents: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Calcium channel blockers: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Antihypertensive drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Anticoagulants, antiplatelets and fibrinolytics (trombolytics) drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Cholesterol and hypocholesterolemic drugs: classification, mechanism of action,
clinical uses, adverse effects. Drugs in congestive heart failure and shock: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Drugs in hyperlipidemias (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects).
3. Drugs used in gastrointestinal disorders
Pharmacological modulation of diarrhoea and constipation (opiates, adsorbent powders, laxatives, agents acting on the mucous membrane). Antiacids and antiemetics. Drugs used in the treatment of Peptic Ulcer
disease: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. 4. Drugs affecting Renal functions Diuretics drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Diuretics that acting at glomerular level. Namely diuretics or tubular diuretics. 5. Drugs used in respiratory disorders Drugs used in asthma: bronchus- dilatators: methyl xantine,
adrenomimetic amines, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Anticoughness and mucolithics.
6. Antibiotics and chemotherapics Mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs. Antibiotics: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects, antibiotic resistance, selecting antibiotic therapy,
managing chemotherapy. Antibacterial: Synthetic organic antimicrobials: sulfonamides, trimethoprim, nitrofurans, quinolones, methenamine (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). - lactam antibiotics:
penicillins and cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems and carbacephems, - lactamase inhibitor combinations (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Aminoglycoside antibiotics (classification,
mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, macrolides and lincosamides (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects).Bacitracin, Glycopeptide antibiotics and the
polymyxins (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Drugs used in tuberculosis and leprosy (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Antiprotozoal (classification,
mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Antiviral (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Antifungal (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Anthelmintic
drugs (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). 7. Anti cancer chemiotherapics: The rational basis for cancer chemotherapy. Chemotherapics and anticancer drugs
(classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Antineoplastic agents (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Alkylating agents, anthracyclines, plant derived products, enzymes,
hormonal agents, miscellaneous agents (p.e. hydroxyurea and procarbazine), antimetabolites (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). 8. Immunostimulants:
Levamisole, limphokines and monokines (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). 9. Hormones and metabolism drugs: Insulin, and oral hypoglycaemic agents. Insulin: insulin types and
preparations. Sulfonylureas. Biguanides: pharmacokinetic, indications, mechanism of action, adverse effects. Insulin and glucagon: biosynthesis, secretion, biochemical and pharmacological actions, absorption,
metabolism, excretion, adverse reaction. Corticosteroids: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects.
Thyroid and antithyroid agents: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Estrogens and progestins: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. 10. Anti- rheumatic agents
Slow acting anti-rheumatic (classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects). Arachnoid acid pathway. Non steroidal Anti- inflammatory drugs: classification, mechanism of action, clinical
uses, adverse effects. Steroidal anti- inflammatory agents: classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. Generality on gout, chemistry of uric acid. Drug used in gout (colchicines, allopurinol,
uricosuric agents): classification, mechanism of action, clinical uses, adverse effects. 11. The vitamins Characteristics general. Physiological functions and dietary sources, recommended dietary allowances and vitamin
supplementation, deficiency disease, therapeutic uses. Vit. D (cholecalciferol), K, A, W. Vitamin B complex. Riboflavin. folic acid, nicotinic acid, Pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, pantothenic acid, biotin, Thiamine, ascorbic acid,
inositole. University of Udine, School of Medicine, Pharmacology Courses: General Pharmacology, Special Pharmacology
General Pharmacology Contact Universitą di Udine,
P.za S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy. Tel. +39 0432 559833; fax: +39 0432 559833; email: mario.furlanut@med.uniud.it The course extends for 1 semesters during the 3rd
year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 90. Hours of teaching: Lectures 30 h; Practical (computer): 20 h; Tutorials 12 h for each group of approx 15 students; Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 3 pharmacology softwares are available
Curriculum of the course General aims :::To give the students the understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles regulating the action of drugs. Specific aims ::: At the end
of the course the student must be able to describe the most important pharmacokinetic parameters regulating the movement of drugs in human body; their molecular, tissue and organon or system action; the fundamental lines of
preclinical study of drugs. Necessary knowledge to deal with the course: Anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, microbiology
Development of the course: Theoretical lectures and practical exercises (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic simulations in the PC laboratory) Program
Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion) Pharmacodynamics (receptors and dose-effect curves) Classification of drugs in relation to their clinical use and their effect at tissue, organon or
apparatus level (autonomic, peripheral and central nervous system; renal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system; inflammation; endocrine system; chemotherapy) Preclinical development of drugs Special Pharmacology Contact: Prof. Mario Furlanut, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Universitą di Udine, P.za S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy. Tel. +39 0432 559833; fax: +39 0432
559833; email: mario.furlanut@med.uniud.it The course extends for 1 semesters during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 90. Hours of teaching: Lectures 57 h; Practical
(computer): 28 h; Tutorials 12 h for each group of approx 15 students. Evaluation is by oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms; 3 pharmacology softwares are available. Curriculum of the course
General aims :::To give the student the necessary knowledge to the rational use of drugs, i.e. maximum efficacy, minimum toxicity, lowest cost. Specific aims :::At the end of the course the student must be able to choose the
proper drug or its association on the basis of their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicity, indications and dose regimen relating to the main diseases.
Necessary knowledge to deal with the course: pathology, internal medicine and medical specialties. Development of the course: - Theoretic approach (lectures and seminars).
- Practical approach (therapeutic drug monitoring, toxicology, clinical pharmacokinetics and kinetic-dynamic modeling). Program Hypnotics and sedatives (benzodiazepines, chloral hydrate, paraldehyde, alcohol)
Antiepileptics (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate, ethosuximide, vigabatrin, lamotrigine, felbamate, topiramate) Antiparkinsonian drugs ( anticholinergic drugs, levo-dopa and dopadecarboxylase inhibitors,
dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors) Anxiolitics (benzodiazepines, buspirone) Antipsycotics (phenotiazines, butyrophenones) Antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, SRI)
Drugs used in myastenia and Alzheimer's disease (anticholinesterase agents) Lithium Opioid analgesics (codeine, morphine, methadone, fenthanyl, alfentanil, sufentanil, pentazocine, buprenorfine) and antagonists (naloxone,
naltrexone) Hystamine antagonists (astemizol, terfenadine, cetirizine, cimetidine, ranitidine) Prostaglandins (misoprostol) Serotonin antagonists (sumatriptan, ondansetron)
Local anesthetics (lidocaine, mepivacaine, etidocaine) General anaesthetics (nitrousoxide, halotane, enfuorane, isofluorane, thiopental, metehexital; propofol) Psychostimulants (amphetamines)
Neuromuscolar blocking agents (tubocurarine, pancuronium, atracurium, mivacurium, succinylcholine) Antiinflammatory drugs (aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin, sulindac, mephenamic acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen,
piroxicam) Antirheumatic drugs (gold, hydroxychloroquine, d-penicillamine) Antigout agents Antimigraine drugs Cardiovascular agents (diuretics and antihypertensive drugs, inotropic, antiangina and antiarrhytmic agents,
antitrombotic drugs, drugs used in hyperlipoproteinemias) Drugs used in respiratory system diseases [stimulants (xantines, doxapram), antitussive agents]
Drugs used for gastrointenstinal diseases (antiacids, antiemetics, laxatives and antidiarrheal agents) Hormonal and antihormonal agents Antimicrobial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antihelmintic agents
Antiviral and antineoplastic drugs Immunosuppressive and immunostimulant agents Growth factors Toxicological agents and their antidotes Drug abuse Clinical investigations on drugs
University of Messina, School of Medicine, Pharmacology courses: General Pharmacology, Special Pharmacology General Pharmacology
Contact: The course extends for 1 semester during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 120. Hours of teaching: Lectures 60 h, Evaluation is by oral
exam Content of the course Introduction and general principles of Pharmacology. Pharmacokinetics: Passage of drugs through cell membranes. Drugs absorption, distribution, metabolism and
excretion. Definition of principal pharmacokinetic parameters. Pharmacodinamics: Mechanism of drug action. Molecular and cellular targets of drugs. Quantification of drug action. Drugs and chemical transmitters:
cholinergic, cathecolaminergic, serotoninergic, gabaergic, glutamatergic, peptidergic, purinergic and histaminergic transmission. Nitric oxide. Arachidonic acid patway. Toxicology: Drug dependence and drugs
abuse. Treating drug dependence. Mechanisms and evaluation of toxicity. Chemotherapy: Mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs. Antibiotic resistance. Selecting antibiotic therapy. Major antibiotics in
bacterial infections. Special Pharmacology Contact: The course extends for 1
semester during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 120. Hours of teaching: Lectures 60 h. Evaluation is by oral exam. Content of the course Clinical pharmacology
: General principles and therapeutic decision-making. Adverse drug reactions. Drug interactions. Drugs in hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia. Drugs in congestive heart failure and shock. Diuretics. Anticoagulant,
antiplatelet and fibrinolytic drugs Drugs in bronchial asthma. Drugs in gastrointestinal disorders. Antiinflammatory and antireumatic drugs. Chemotherapy: Antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic
drugs. Antineoplastic and immunomodulating drugs. Neuropsychopharmacology:
Anxyolitics and hypnotic drugs. Antidepressant and mood stabilizers. Antipsychotics. Antiepileptics. Antiparkinson drugs. Drugs in headache. Analgesic opioids. General and local anesthetics. Agents affecting neuromuscolar transmission.
Drugs and the endocrine and metabolic systems: Drugs in hyperlipidemias and diabetes.Adrenocortical hormones. Thyroid and antithyroid drugs. Estrogens and Progestins. Drugs used in osteoporosis. Toxicology: Pesticides. Industrial poisons. Organ toxicity.. University of Napoli "Federico II",
School of Medicine, Pharmacology Courses: General Pharmacology, Special Pharmacology General Pharmacology Contact: Universitą di Napoli "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy. Tel. +39 081-7463318; +39 081-7462102; Fax +39 081-7463323; email
amoroso@unina.it The course extends for 1 semesters during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is >120. Hours of teaching: Lectures 100 h. Evaluation is by written and oral exam.The students
have access to computer rooms and pharmacology softwares are available Objectives of the course: At the end of the course, the student should
1. Know the chemical composition of drugs. By this we specifically mean the knowledge of the general chemical characteristics of the different families of pharmacological agents that can affect the mechanism
of action, elimination, and toxicity of drugs. 2. Know the mechanism by which these agents exert their action at the cellular and molecular level, and the biochemical mechanisms responsible for this action. 3. Know and describe the functional modifications induced by drugs on organisms and systems. 4. Correlate the mechanisms mentioned in point n.2 with the functional modifications induced by drugs on
cells, organs, and systems. 5. know the most important pharmacokinetic features of drugs (absorption rate, plasma protein binding, effective plasma concentrations, half-life, metabolism, main means of elimination,
and the importance of the possible functional failure of the metabolizing organs and of excretory pathways on the total elimination of the different drugs from the organism).
6. Correlate the pharmacological effects with therapeutic use. 7. Know the routes of administration and dosing (doses, frequency of administration, mode of administration as it refers to meals, pharmaceutical forms
used) of pharmacological agents. 8. Know the undesired toxic side effects, and the most common drug interactions so as to prevent the occurrence of adverse interactions. 9. Identify within the
different pharmacological groups those whose use is rational in different diseases based on the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetics, and side effects, so as to create the basis for the formulation of a therapeutic
strategy that integrates with clinical pathophysiological notions.
Special Pharmacology Contact:
Prof. Nicola Pisanti; Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, ITALY. Tel (+39) 081-7463318 081-7462102, FAX (+39)081-746-3323, e-mail:
The course extends for 1 semesters during the 5th year, The number of students attending the course is >120. Hours of teaching: Lectures 50 h, Evaluation is by written and oral exam, The students have access to computer rooms
where pharmacology softwares are available. Objectives of the course: At the end of the course, the student should
1. Know the chemical composition of drugs. By this we specifically mean the knowledge of the general chemical characteristics of the different families of pharmacological agents that can affect the mechanism
of action, elimination, and toxicity of drugs. 2. Know the mechanism by which these agents exert their action at the cellular and molecular level, and the biochemical mechanisms responsible for this action. 3. Know and describe the functional modifications induced by drugs on organisms and systems. 4. Correlate the mechanisms mentioned in point n.2 with the functional modifications induced by drugs on
cells, organs, and systems. 5. know the most important pharmacokinetic features of drugs (absorption rate, plasma protein binding, effective plasma concentrations, half-life, metabolism, main means of elimination,
and the importance of the possible functional failure of the metabolizing organs and of excretory pathways on the total elimination of the different drugs from the organism).
6. Correlate the pharmacological effects with therapeutic use. 7. Know the routes of administration and dosing (doses, frequency of administration, mode of administration as it refers to meals, pharmaceutical forms
used) of pharmacological agents. 8. Know the undesired toxic side effects, and the most common drug interactions so as to prevent the occurrence of adverse interactions. 9. Identify within the
different pharmacological groups those whose use is rational in different diseases based on the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetics, and side effects, so as to create the basis for the formulation of a therapeutic
strategy that integrates with clinical pathophysiological notions. University of Messina, School of Dentistry, Pharmacology courses: Pharmacology Contact: The course extends for 1 semester during the 5th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 20. Hours of teaching: Lectures 35 h; Evaluation is by oral exam
Content of the course Introduction and general principles of Pharmacology. Pharmacokinetics: Passage of drugs through cell membranes. Drugs absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Definition of
principal pharmacokinetic parameters. Pharmacodinamics: Mechanism of drug action. Molecular and cellular targets of drugs. Quantification of drug action. Drugs and chemical transmitters: cholinergic,
cathecolaminergic, serotoninergic, gabaergic, glutamatergic, peptidergic, purinergic and histaminergic transmission. Nitric oxide. Arachidonic acid patway. Toxicology: Drug dependence and drugs abuse. Treating
drug dependence. Mechanisms and evaluation of toxicity. Chemotherapy: Mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs. Antibiotic resistance. Selecting antibiotic therapy. Major antibiotics in bacterial
infections. University of Napoli "Federico II", School of Dentistry, Pharmacology Courses: Pharmacology Contact: University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5,
80131 Napoli, ITALY. Tel (+39) 081-7463318 081-7463325, FAX (+39)081-746-3323, e-mail: The course extends for 1 semesters during the 2nd year. The number of students attending the course is approx. 30. Hours of
teaching: Lectures 50 h. Evaluation is by written and oral exam. The students have access to computer rooms and pharmacology softwares are available Objectives of the course
At the end of the course, the student should
1. Know the chemical composition of drugs. By this we specifically mean the knowledge of the general chemical characteristics of the different families of pharmacological agents that can affect the mechanism
of action, elimination, and toxicity of drugs. 2. Know the mechanism by which these agents exert their action at the cellular and molecular level, and the biochemical mechanisms responsible for this action. 3. Know and describe the functional modifications induced by drugs on organisms and systems. 4. Correlate the mechanisms mentioned in point n.2 with the functional modifications induced by drugs on
cells, organs, and systems. 5. know the most important pharmacokinetic features of drugs (absorption rate, plasma protein binding, effective plasma concentrations, half-life, metabolism, main means of elimination,
and the importance of the possible functional failure of the metabolizing organs and of excretory pathways on the total elimination of the different drugs from the organism).
6. Correlate the pharmacological effects with therapeutic use. 7. Know the routes of administration and dosing (doses, frequency of administration, mode of administration as it refers to meals, pharmaceutical forms
used) of pharmacological agents. 8. Know the undesired toxic side effects, and the most common drug interactions so as to prevent the occurrence of adverse interactions. 9. Identify within the
different pharmacological groups those whose use is rational in different diseases based on the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetics, and side effects, so as to create the basis for the formulation of a therapeutic
strategy that integrates with clinical pathophysiological notions. University of Pisa, School of Dentistry; Pharmacology courses: Pharmacology Contact: The course extends for 1 semesters during the 3rd
year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 60. Hours of teaching: Lectures 50 h. Evaluation is by oral exam Organization of the course Educational and formative aims of the course of Pharmacology
The course of Pharmacology for Dentistry has been designed in order to pursue the following purposes: 1) to indroduce the students to the knowledge of drugs as well as to the basic concepts of pharmacodynamics; 2) to describe
the mechanisms related to drug pharmacokinetics; 3) to provide information on drug interactions, both at pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic levels; 4) to guide the students to the knowledge of mechanisms underlying the toxicity of
drugs and iatrogenic diseases induced by pharmacological treatments; 5) to describe the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, toxicological properties as well as the main therapeutic indications of the most relevant drug classes; 6) to
point out the therapeutic use of drugs in dentistry; 7) to introduce the students to knowledge of antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral and antitumor drugs as well as to describe the toxicity and therapeutic use of these drugs. List of lectures for students attending the degree course in Dentistry - Introduction to pharmacology - Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics - Pharmacokinetics: routes of drug administration,
absorption and bioavailability, drug distribution, biotransformation, enzyme induction and inhibition, routes of drug excretion - Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions
- Cellular targets of drug activity: proteins, lipids, nucleic acids - Receptors: background, structure and classification - Drug-receptor interaction: agonists, partial agonists, competitive and non-competitive
antagonists, dose-response curves, affinity, selectivity - Signal transduction: receptors coupled to ion channels, G proteins, protein phosphatases and kinases, nuclear receptors
- Tolerance and dependence to drugs - Adverse drug reactions: toxicity, therapeutic index of drugs, allergy, idiosyncrasy, iatrogenic diseases
- Modulation of receptor responses: desensitization, tachyphylaxis, hypersensitization - Mediators and receptors of autonomic nervous system
- Pharmacology of cholinergic transmission: receptors, muscarinic agonists and antagonists - Nicotinic agonists and antagonists, indirect cholinomimetics, clinical use, adverse effects - Pharmacology
of noradrenergic transmission: background, classification and tissue distribution of receptors - Agonists and antagonists of a and b adrenergic receptors: classification, clinical use, adverse effects
- Pharmacology of histaminergic transmission: background, classification and tissue distribution of receptors - Antagonists of H1 and H2 receptors: classification, clinical use, adverse effects -
Pharmacology of GABAergic transmission: background, classification and tissue distribution of receptors, agonists and antagonists, drugs for the treatment of sleep disorders and anxiety (benzodiazepines, barbituriates), clinical
use, adverse effects, potential for drug addiction - Pharmacology of opioid system: µ, k, „ and „ receptors, endorphines, enkephalines, opioid analgesics, clinical use, adverse effects, drug addiction, tolerance - Pharmacology of dopaminergic transmission: classification and tissue distribution of receptors, agonists and antagonists, antipsychotic drugs, clinical use, adverse effects - Pharmacology of serotoninergic and
adrenergic transmission in the CNS: drugs for the treatment of mood disorders (antidepressants) - Drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and Parkinson disease
- General anesthetics: injectable and inhalatory, mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse effects - Local anesthetics: mechanisms of action, classification, structure-activity relationship, association with adrenergic
agonists (vasoconstrictors), clinical use, adverse effects - Pharmacology of leukotrienes and prostaglandins: background, classification, metabolism of prostanoids, tissue distribution of receptors, pathophysiologic
role - Antińinflammatory non-steroidal drugs: mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse effects - Anti-inflammatory steroidal drugs (corticosteroids): mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse
effects - Drugs affecting blood coagulation and platelet function: antifibrinolytic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents, thrombolytics, drugs for the treatment of hemorrhagic disorders. Mechanisms of action,
clinical use, adverse effects - Drugs affecting the cardiovascular apparatus: digitalis, drugs for the treatment of arrhythmias, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse
effects - Drugs affecting metabolism: insulin, drugs for the treatment of hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia, mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse effects - Disinfectants: alcohols,
aldehydes, phenols, halogens, biguanides, oxidative compounds, mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse effects - Antimicrobial chemotherapy: classification of antibacterial drugs, mechanisms of action,
antimicrobial spectrum of drugs acting on cell wall, protein and DNA synthesis, antimicrobial drug resistance, clinical use, adverse effects - Antifungal chemotherapy: classification of antifungal drugs, mechanisms
of action, antifungal spectrum of polyenes and azoles, clinical use, adverse effects - Antiviral chemotherapy: classification of antiviral drugs, mechanisms of action, drugs acting against DNA and RNA viruses,
clinical use, adverse effects - Anticancer chemotherapy: classification, mechanisms of action, clinical use and adverse effects of major antineoplastic drugs - Fluorides for topic and systemic use
- Alterations of tissues of the oral cavity by systemically-administered drugs. University of Insubria at Varese, School of Biological Sciences; Pharmacology courses: Laboratory of Pharmacological Methods
Contact:Prof. Elena Monti, Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Sezione di Farmacologia, Universitą dell'Insubria Varese,
Facoltą di Scienze MM.FF.NN. Via J.H. Dunant, 3 , 21100 Varese, Italy. Tel. +39 02-70100131; Fax +39 02-70002270; e-mail: elena.monti@unimi.it The course extends for 1 semester during the 5th year. The
number of students attending the course is approximately 20. Hours of teaching: Lectures 10 h; Practical : 8 h + 5 h with computer; Tutorials: 17 h; Evaluation is by written and oral exam Content of the course The course consists in practical sessions involving direct participation by the students. The aim of this course is to acquaint the students with standard laboratory techniques used in pharmacological research. Methods
based on cell cultures, isolated organs and in vivo
models are described, and tests are performed to assess the equilibrium and kinetic properties of drug-receptor interactions; the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs; the behavioral and neurovegetative effects of drugs acting on the central and /or autonomic nervous systems; the analgesic properties of centrally acting and anti-inflammatory drugs; and the
in vitro effects of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system. For each practical session, experimental results are analyzed according to the appropriate statistical procedures. SYLLABUS
November 22-23, 1999 November 29, 1999: receptor binding studies; analysis and interpretation of experimental data. 13-14 December 1999: maintenance and handling of experimental animals;
routes for drug administration 20-21 December 1999: behavioral
test according to Irwin; analysis and interpretation of experimental data. January 10-11, 2000: assays for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory and centrally acting analgesic drugs; analysis and interpretation of experimental data. January 17-18, 2000: use of isolated organs in pharmacology; in vivo and in vitro
test for the evaluation of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system
Foe each of the practical sessions described above, the choice of the appropriate experimental model and mathematic/statistical methods for
data analysis will be discussed. N.B. To appreciate the implications of the various experimental procedures and results, students should be
familiar with basic concepts in pharmacology. Therefore, students who have not yet attended the Pharmacology course are strongly discouraged from attending this course. Pharmacology Contact:
Prof. Elena Monti, Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Sezione di Farmacologia, Universitą dell'Insubria Varese, Facoltą di Scienze MM.FF.NN. Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.. Tel. +39 02-70100131; Fax +39 02-70002270; e-mail: elena.monti@unimi.it
The course extends for 1 semester during the 4th year. The number of students attending the course is approximately 20. Hours of teaching: Lectures 80 h. Evaluation is by oral exam Content of the course
The second part of the course focuses on quantitative aspects of drug/organism interactions
(pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and on their relevance both for therapy and toxicology. The molecular basis of drug effects on different tissues and organs (central and autonomic nervous systems; cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, excretory, respiratory, endocrine and immune systems; liver; blood), as well as microbial pathogens (viruses, bacteria and protozoa) and tumor cells is discussed; a special emphasis is placed on the use of drugs
as experimental tools. PART I: MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHARMACOLOGY
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Principles of toxicology; Delivery to
the target; Reaction of ultimate toxicant with the target; Free radicals and lipoperoxidation; Impairment of energy production; Mitochondrial toxicity; Ion homeostasis; Calcium and toxicity; Cytoskeleton; Dysregulation
of signal transduction; Transcription factors; Peroxisomes; Receptor-mediated toxicity; Role of cytokines; Cell death: necrosis and apoptosis; Nuclear toxicity; Dysregulation of electrically excitable cells; Repair and
dysrepair (glutathione, antioxidants, heat shock proteins, DNA repair, metabolism, etc..)
Pharmacology courses: Pharmacology I, Pharmacology II, Pharmacology III
Contact: Prof. Diana Conte Camerino, Dipartimento
Farmacobiologico, Facoltą di Farmacia Universitą di Bari, Via Orabona, 4, , 70125 BARI, ITALY. Tel. +39 080 544 2801; Fax +39 080 544 2801; e-mail: conte@farmabiol.uniba.it
This course is divided into two parts, the former of which focuses on the molecular basis of drug action. Quantitative aspects of drug-receptor interactions are examined, elucidating the molecular basis of pharmacological
selectivity. Various classes of receptors and their coupled transduction and second messenger systems are reviewed, along with the mechanisms underlying modulation of their function (sensitization/desensitization). The
involvement of the different classes of receptors in the major neurotransmitter and humoral systems is discussed.