Drug Toxicology

Knowledge in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacology I and II.

M1. Students should organize the learning process by valuing the skills of learning and work collaboratively. From the
bibliographic support provided, students should integrate the knowledge, working in groups and analyzing practical
cases to report in the classroom. The teacher act as a facilitator of the learning process.
M2. The learning is based in the theoretical study, analysis and discussion of cases. The theoretical component uses
the expository method, in a student-centered learning.
M3. Working groups, with collaborative knowledge dissemination tools, their commitment and relation with these
means, relevant factors in the learning process. The practice components are action-oriented, through teaching by
research, where the student is challenged to solve clinical cases. (Problem Based Learning)
The acquisition of knowledge is proven through a written test (60%) and a bibliographic research work with
presentation and/or through problem-based learning cases discussion (40%).

O1. To develop skills and abilities within the toxicological reasoning process in the context of drug use.
O2. To understand the principles associated with Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics, understanding the mechanisms
of drug toxicity and intervening factors.
O3. To recognize the signs and symptoms of the most frequent poisonings; know how to identify urgent therapeutic
decisions and preventive measures.
O4. To characterize and anticipate possible interactions between drugs, foods and other substances.
O5. To understand the risks associated with the use of medication, in self-medication and polymedication regimens, as
well as characterize the types of medication errors and define prevention strategies.

1. General Principles of Toxicology
1.1. Introduction to Toxicology – basic concepts and history
1.2. Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics
1.3. Examples of substances that cause toxicity: heavy metals, pesticides, drugs of abuse
2. Drug Toxicology
2.1. Epidemiology of acute drug poisoning.
2.2. Drug toxicity – therapeutic groups, adverse effects of drugs on organs and systems.
2.3. Antidotes.
2.4. Prevention of poisoning – general treatment of poisoning
2.5. Dose-response relationship
2.6. In vivo and in vitro toxicity tests.
2.7. Target organ Toxicity – Hepatic, renal, respiratory system, nervous system and digestive system toxic response
and dermal toxicity. Reproductive system; immune System: Immunotoxicity
3. Drug Interactions
3.1. Drug-Drug Interactions;
3.2. Drug-Food Interactions
3.3. Drug-Disease Interactions
3.4. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions.
4. Medication errors, polymedication and self-medication

NAO

Main

• Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 8ª Ed by Curtis Klaassen, 2013
• Afonso Esteves. Intoxicações agudas. In Terapêutica Medicamentosa e suas Bases Farmacológicas, 2001

Secondary

• Ferner, Robin E., and Jeffrey K. Aronson. “EIDOS.” Drug safety33.1 (2010): 15-23.
• Aronson, J. K. (Ed.). (2015). Meyler’s side effects of drugs: the international encyclopedia of adverse drug reactions and interactions. Elsevier.
• Kaeding, M., Schmälter, J., & Klika, C. (2017). Pharmacovigilance in the European Union.
• Flanagan, R. J., Braithwaite, R. A., Brown, S. S., Widdop, B., De Wolff, F. A., & World Health Organization. (1995). Basic analytical toxicology.
• Lodola, A., & Stadler, J. (Eds.). (2011). Pharmaceutical Toxicology in Practice: A Guide to Non-clinical Development. John Wiley & Sons.
• Aronson, J. K. (2009). Medication errors: definitions and classification. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 67(6), 599-604.
• Bower, M., & Waxman, J. (2008). Compêndio de Oncologia. Lisboa: Instituto Piaget