ABOUT THE COURSE:This course “General Pharmacology” offers a well-structured and comprehensive study of pharmacology, helping students build a strong foundation in core concepts such as drug action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions. It helps students through important topics like drug discovery, clinical trials, and therapeutic drug monitoring, enhancing their understanding of how new medicines are developed and evaluated. The course systematically covers the pharmacology of drugs acting on major systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and autonomic nervous system with a focus on their clinical relevance. Students will also gain knowledge of autacoids, NSAIDs, immunopharmacology, vaccines, antiseptics, and vitamins. This course is designed to strengthen both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, this course will benefit those aiming for career in pharmacy, medicine, and biomedical research.INTENDED AUDIENCE: Pharmacy professionals, Pharmacologists, Biologists, BiotechnologistsPREREQUISITES: The participants should have a basic knowledge of biology. A keen interest in the domains of biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology is desirable.INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Pharmaceutical & Biotech industries:Sun Pharma Ltd, Glen Mark Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Laboratories, Bharat Biotech, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Piramal Life Sciences Ltd, Glaxo Smithkiline, Johnson & Johnsson etc

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Pharmacology
1. Basics of Pharmacology: Part A
2. Basics of Pharmacology: Part B
3. Routes of drug administration
4. Drug interactions and its types
5. Adverse drug reactions and its types
Week 2:Pharmacokinetics
1. Basics of Pharmacokinetics
2. Membrane transport
3. Absorption and distribution
4. Metabolism
5. Excretion, Enzyme induction, enzyme inhibition, kinetics of elimination
Week 3:Pharmacodynamics
1. Principles and mechanisms of drug action
2. Receptor Pharmacology
3. Enzymes and ion channels
4. Signal transduction mechanism
5. Dose-response relationship
Week 4:Drug discovery, clinical evaluation, and network pharmacology
1. Drug dosage and factors modifying drug action
2. Approaches to drug discovery and network pharmacology: Concept and applications
3. Clinical trials
4. Informed consent
5. Therapeutic drug monitoring
Week 5:Autocoids and related drugs
1. Introduction to autacoids, Histamine and antihistaminic
2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine, its Antagonists and Drug Therapy of Migraine
3. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes (eicosanoids) and Platelet Activating Factor
4. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Antipyretic-Analgesics
5. Antirheumatic and Antigout Drugs
Week 6:Pharmacology of drugs acting on cardiovascular system
1. Introduction to hemodynamics and electrophysiology of the heart
2. Drugs used in congestive heart failure and Antihypertensive drugs.
3. Anti-anginal, Anti-arrhythmic drugs, and Antihyperlipidemic drugs
4. Hematinics, coagulants, and anticoagulants.
5. Fibrinolytics, anti-platelet drugs and Plasma volume expanders
Week 7:Pharmacology of drugs acting on the Respiratory system
1. Asthma and Anti-asthmatic Drugs
2. Drugs used in the management of COPD
3. Expectorants and antitussives
4. Nasal decongestants
5. Respiratory stimulants
Week 8:Pharmacology of drugs acting on the Gastrointestinal Tract
1. Antiulcer agents
2. Drugs for constipation and diarrhea
3. Appetite stimulants and suppressants
4. Digestants and carminatives
5. Emetics and anti-emetics
Week 9:Pharmacology of drugs acting on the endocrine system
1. Introduction to endocrine pharmacology
2. Anterior Pituitary hormones- analogues and their inhibitors
3. Thyroid hormones and Hormones regulating plasma calcium level
4. Insulin, Oral Hypoglycemic agents and glucagon.
5. ACTH and corticosteroids.
Week 10:Pharmacology of drugs acting on the endocrine system
1. Androgens and Anabolic Steroids
2. Estrogens, Progestins, and Contraceptives
3. Oxytocin and Other Drugs Acting on the Uterus
4. Physiology of Urine Formation
5. Diuretics and Antidiuretics
Week 11:Pharmacology of drugs acting on the Central Nervous System
1. General anesthetics
2. Sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics
3. Antipsychotics and antimanic drugs
4. Antidepressant and Antianxiety drugs
5. CNS stimulants & Cognition enhancers
Week 12:Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System and Therapeutic-Preventive Agents
1. Organization and function of ANS
2. Cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs
3. Adrenergic and antiadrenergic drugs
4. Immunopharmacology
5. Vaccines, antisera, vitamins