Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- is able to describe the general principles of pharmacokinetics and dynamics
- knows the medications which are used to treat the most common diseases, their action mechanisms, indications and most common side and adverse effects
- is able to monitor the effectiveness of the medicine

Content (course unit)

- the effects of drugs on the body and the effects of the body on pharmaceutical substances
- simple and combined adverse reactions to medication
- antimicrobials and medications for cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, medications for metabolism and endocrine disorders, and medications for tumors
- specific issues for the care of children and elderly
- basic concepts of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, adverse drug reactions and adverse interactions
- medicines for the cardiovascular system: high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, medicines that affect blood clotting, hyperlipidaemias.
- medication for diabetes: medicines for type I and type II diabetes
- allergy medicines, cortisone as a drug, medication for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
- medicines for respiratory diseases: medicines for asthma and COPD
- medicines for diseases of the digestive system: hyperacidity, diarrhea, constipation
- antimicrobials: antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents
- drug treatment of tumors

Prerequisites (course unit)

Participation in the course on Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student
- masters the basics of pharmacology
- knows the indication for use of the medications and knows some of the mechanisms of action of medication groups

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student
- masters the basics of pharmacology
- knows the indication for use of the medications and knows some of the mechanisms of action of medication groups
- knows the typical action mechanisms of the medication groups, some adverse effects and interactions between medication groups and resulting adverse effects

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student
- masters the basics of pharmacology
- knows the typical action mechanisms of the medication groups, some adverse effects and interactions between medication groups and resulting adverse effects
- in addition to the requirements for Good (3-4), also knows the mechanisms and interactions of medication groups, and is able to apply the knowledge he/she masters

Exam schedules

The examination will comprise 50 -60 multiple-choice questions. There shall be NO NEGATIVE marks. The minimum point required for the completion of the course is 50%. The date of the first and second resit shall be announced during the course. Students who fail to attain the pass marks in the first exam shall be eligible to write the resit examinations.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Implementation will be updated before the course orientation

Learning materials

Lecture material (assignments and slides) available via tuni-moodle.
Pharmacology: Brenner, G. M., Stevens, C. W. & Brenner, G. M. (2018). Pharmacology (Fifth edition.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. (https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/qhe4al/alma9910396394205973)
Requires registration for the clinicalkey-site

Other material given or stated by the teacher.

Student workload

54 hours (including contact classes and independent studies.)

Content scheduling

All of the subjects can be studied from the self-learning material.
1) General Pharmacology: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Interactions and harmful side-effects of medication.
2) Drug treatments of heart and cardiovascular disease: Hypertension, Heart failure, Coronary heart diseases, Pulmonary Embolism, Hyperlipidemia, Anticoagulants
3) Drug treatment of respiratory diseases: asthma, COPD
4) Drug treatment of diabetes
5) Drug treatment of gastrointestinal diseases: peptic ulcer diseases, Diarrhoea, constipation
6) Antimicrobial drugs: antibiotics, antifungals, and antiviral drugs.
7) Hormones, contraceptive preparations and menopause medications
8)Medications for neurological diseases
9)Cancer chemotherapy
10) Drug treatment of Psychiatry diseases
11) Drug used in medical emergencies

Further information

Mandatory orientation

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student shows a lack of understanding of basic principles of pharmacology, drug indications and typical side effects of the drugs taught.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student understands basic principles of pharmacology, drug indication and typical side effects of these drugs.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

In addition to the understanding of basic principles of pharmacology, drug indication and side effects, the student also understands the different classes of drugs in treatments of various common diseases and is aware of special precautions when taking some drugs.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

In addition to 3-4 above, the student can make clinical decisions on the right choice of drugs for certain diseases and can make informed decisions on the contraindications of certain drugs. The student can also demonstrate a basic knowledge of drug interaction for the assessment of drug effectiveness.