Pharmacology for Physical Therapists

Catalog description

The fundamentals of medical pharmacology, with implications for the practice of occupational and physical therapy, are reviewed through lectures and readings. Presentations include the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Specifically stressed are drugs affecting the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, renal, nervous, respiratory, endocrine and gastrointestinal systems. Medical reasons for drug treatment, specifications, therapeutic, side effects, and adverse reactions are reviewed in the context of clinical practice. Problems related to polypharmacy, especially in the geriatric and psychiatric populations, will be emphasized. Particular attention will be given to those prescription drugs affecting motor control, movement function, cardiovascular function, psychopharmacotherapeutics, and neurological impairments.