Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The main objective of the course will be to provide the pharmacological bases of therapeutics and the pharmacological profiles of the most used drugs. For each topic we will provide a description of the physio pathologic aspects of the disease, mechanisms of drug action, posology and side effects of the main drugs used for the cure of the disease. The course will also discuss novel therapeutic interventions based on the advancement of basic research with respect to pathophysiological knowledge as well as biochemical and molecular alterations of specific disorders. Another key object of the Course will be to discuss the main problems associated with drug-drug interactions, as well as the mechanisms that may be responsible for side effects and tolerability, as well as those that will contribute to the therapeutic response to a given drug.
Expected learning outcomes
The student must demonstrate to possess adequate knowledge of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of the disorders presented during the course, as well as to have the ability to comprehend problems associated with pharmacological treatments. Moreover, the student must be able to apply basic knowledge to deal with pharmacological issues related to treatment. Last, he/she should be able to show abilities in exposing and communicating his/her knowledge.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea AL
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Drugs acting at synaptic and neuroeffector junctional sites
Drugs acting on the central nervous system
Drug addiction and drug abuse
Drugs affecting renal function and electrolyte metabolism
Antihypertensive drugs
Drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes
Drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemias
Drugs for the treatment of diabetes
Drugs affecting gastrointestinal function
Drugs acting on the blood and blood-forming organs
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics
Nutraceuticals for metabolic disorders
Drug use in pregnancy
Drugs acting on the central nervous system
Drug addiction and drug abuse
Drugs affecting renal function and electrolyte metabolism
Antihypertensive drugs
Drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes
Drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemias
Drugs for the treatment of diabetes
Drugs affecting gastrointestinal function
Drugs acting on the blood and blood-forming organs
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics
Nutraceuticals for metabolic disorders
Drug use in pregnancy
Prerequisites for admission
The students must have knowledge in physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and molecular pharmacology (drug interaction with targets).
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Teaching Resources
Provided by the professor: slides presented during the course (available on the teacher's Ariel site).
"The pharmacological basis of therapeutics" Goodman & Gilman Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc: New York. Available on line.
"The pharmacological basis of therapeutics" Goodman & Gilman Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc: New York. Available on line.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation consists in an oral examination, lasting approximately 30-40 minutes. The student must answer to questions on the drugs discussed during the course, being able to comprehend problems associated with pharmacological treatments and using appropriate language.
Linea MZ
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Etiological mechanisms of psychiatric pathologies; Mood disorders and antidepressant drugs; Bipolar disorder - antimanic and mood stabilizing drugs; Schizophrenia and antipsychotic drugs; Anxiolytic drugs; Hypnotic-sedative drugs; Pharmacology of the dopaminergic system and antiparkinsonian drugs; Epilepsy and anticonvulsant drugs; Alzheimer's disease and drug treatment; Substances of abuse and drug addiction; General and local anesthetic drugs; Narcotic and opioid analgesics; Migraine medications; Medication for ADHD.
Drugs of the cardiovascular system and blood components; Pharmacological regulation of blood pressure; Dyslipidemia drugs; Antianginal and antischemic drugs; Diabetes therapy; Obesity therapy; Heart failure drugs; Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents; Pharmacotherapy of inflammation; Treatment of anemia; Therapy of acute coronary syndromes; Heart failure therapy; Erythropoietins.
Other classes of drugs: Drugs of the gastrointestinal system: Antiulcer and Antiemetic; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids; Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: estrogen and progestin; Gout therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs
Specialized lectures: Microbiota and drugs; Nutraceuticals in the prevention of dyslipidemia; Nutraceuticals in the prevention of metabolic syndrome; Drugs in veterinary medicine; Drug use in pregnancy; Variability in response to pharmacological treatment: towards personalized medicine; Pharmacogenetics & pharmacogenomics; Study models for psychiatric pathologies.
Drugs of the cardiovascular system and blood components; Pharmacological regulation of blood pressure; Dyslipidemia drugs; Antianginal and antischemic drugs; Diabetes therapy; Obesity therapy; Heart failure drugs; Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents; Pharmacotherapy of inflammation; Treatment of anemia; Therapy of acute coronary syndromes; Heart failure therapy; Erythropoietins.
Other classes of drugs: Drugs of the gastrointestinal system: Antiulcer and Antiemetic; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids; Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: estrogen and progestin; Gout therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs
Specialized lectures: Microbiota and drugs; Nutraceuticals in the prevention of dyslipidemia; Nutraceuticals in the prevention of metabolic syndrome; Drugs in veterinary medicine; Drug use in pregnancy; Variability in response to pharmacological treatment: towards personalized medicine; Pharmacogenetics & pharmacogenomics; Study models for psychiatric pathologies.
Prerequisites for admission
The student must know the principles that govern the interaction of drugs with their biological targets, integrating concepts from general pharmacology, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry. The student must also possess the fundamental notions of physiology and pathophysiology. The prerequisites are outlined in the Manifesto of the course of study.
Teaching methods
The teaching will be delivered through lectures (in Italian) with the use of slides, and the lecture material will be made available on MY-ARIEL. Attendance at the course is strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
The pharmacological basis of therapeutics" - Goodman & Gilman Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc: New York. English edition. "FARMACOLOGIA Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche" Rossi, Cuomo, Riccardi - Minerva Medica, III Edizione.
"Farmacologia Generale e Clinica" Katzung B.G. - VIII edizione italiana.
On the teacher's MyARIEL site, you can download all the slides used for the class.
"Farmacologia Generale e Clinica" Katzung B.G. - VIII edizione italiana.
On the teacher's MyARIEL site, you can download all the slides used for the class.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy exam consists of an oral test lasting about 30-40 minutes, which aims to verify the following aspects: knowledge of the topic, reasoning skills and communication skills. The student will have to answer at least 4 questions related to the topics covered during the course, demonstrating a good command of the knowledge learned by clearly exposing it as well as reasoning skills in integrating the information received. The vote will be in thirtieths.
Professor(s)
Reception:
appointment request through email
Via Balzaretti 9 - 20133 Milano