Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacology

It is recommended that students have a solid background in Physiology, Biochemistry, and Cell Biology, acquired in the first-year courses. Mastery of this content is essential for an integrated understanding of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles, as well as for the rational clinical application of drug therapy.

The course unit favors an active and integrative pedagogical approach. The promotion of independent study complements the training, with the aim of consolidating the practical application of pharmacotherapeutic knowledge.

Specific objectives include:

• Understanding the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of action, pharmacological response).
• Identifying and characterizing the main drugs used in the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and hemostatic systems.
• Analyzing adverse effects, drug interactions, and therapeutic monitoring strategies.
• Developing critical thinking about the importance of pharmacovigilance in the clinical context.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Apply the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to the interpretation of therapeutic response and dose adjustment.
• Classify and describe the main drugs, highlighting their mechanisms of action, periodicity, contraindications, and adverse effects.
• Relate the pharmacological characteristics of drugs to their clinical applications in real situations.
• Identify and assess risks associated with the use of drugs, including interactions and adverse events.
• Understand the role of pharmacovigilance in promoting patient safety and improving therapeutic practice.
• Demonstrate critical analysis and evidence-based decision-making in the prescription and administration of drugs.

• General considerations in pharmacology. Introduction to the study of drugs. Basic definitions.
• Concepts of pharmacokinetics (PK): Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.
• Notions of Pharmacodynamics (PD): Mechanisms of drug action, receptor binding, agonists, antagonists, sensitivity, tolerance, and dependence.
• General mechanisms of drug action: Interference with cellular processes, enzymes, ion channels, and active transport.
• Central nervous system modifiers: Anxiolytics, hypnotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and cognitive stimulants.
• Cardiovascular system modifiers: Antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, anti-ischemics, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, digitalis.
• Hemostasis-modifying drugs: Parenteral and oral anticoagulants and fibrinolytics; antiplatelet agents.
• Respiratory system modifiers: Bronchoconstrictors, bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and bronchial secretion modulators.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and nonopioid analgesics: Mechanism of action, indications, adverse effects, and precautions.
• Pharmacovigilance: Concepts, reporting systems, serious adverse events, postmarketing surveillance, and drug safety.

Continuous Assessment: takes place in two assessment moments (tests), in the form of individual written tests, weighted 50%/50%.
The minimum grade required in each test is 9.5/20, with a pass mark for the course unit being an arithmetic average equal to or greater than 9.5.
In the event of failure or non-attendance at the continuous assessment stages, students will have the periods for approval recommended in the academic regulations in force and within the deadlines set out in the academic calendar also in force.

Assessment by Examination: takes place in the ‘Normal Period’ and/or the ‘Resit Period’. The examination will focus on the syllabus content and defined skills, ensuring an integrated assessment consistent with the learning objectives of this Unit.

Students who meet the above criteria, both for continuous assessment and for assessment during the examination period, and whose attendance is equal to or greater than 80% of the classes in the Course Unit, will receive a bonus of 0.5 points (not exceeding the maximum mark of 20 points).

NAO