Foundations of Pharmacology and Drug Action

Catalog description

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles of pharmacology, emphasizing the relationship between pathophysiology and the molecular targets of drug action. The course examines disease states and the rationale for selecting specific drug targets to achieve therapeutic effects. Core concepts include drug biotransformation, drug receptor interactions, and mechanisms of signal transduction, with attention to major receptor subtypes. Building on these foundational principles, the course applies pharmacologic concepts to major drug classes, including mechanisms of action, routes of administration, and an introduction to toxicology and the mechanisms underlying adverse drug reactions.