PRX 1203 - Principles of Drug Action II

3 Credit Hours

This course focuses on mastering medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of the selected drug classes. A continuation of Principles of Drug Action I, this course will build on the foundations developed in the first semester. It places special emphasis on: (1) review of the physiology of the autonomic nervous system (ANS); (2) the response of effector organs to activation of subdivisions of the ANS; (3) pharmacodynamic actions and structure/activity relationships of cholinergic agonists and antagonists; (4) pharmacodynamic actions and structure/activity relationships of adrenergic agonists and antagonists; (5) chemical pathways of metabolism of drugs affecting cholinergic and adrenergic systems; (6) application of autonomic pharmacology to drug therapy; (7) chemical properties, pharmacology, and metabolic pathways of drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS); (8) chemical properties, pharmacology, and metabolic pathways of eicosanoids; and (9) pharmacology and medicinal chemistry of adrenocorticosteroids. The primary purpose is to enable students to integrate and apply knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry (drug class, pharmacophore identification, structure-activity relationships, mechanisms of action, appropriate dosing regimens, adverse drug reactions, significant drug interactions, contraindications, and precautions). Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills which can be applied in pharmacy practice.

Prerequisite: PRX 1103
Availability: Spring

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