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Learning Objectives (updated on March 19, 2008 )
Learning Objectives. Listed below are learning objectives and lists of important drugs for each contact hour in Medical Pharmacology. By the end of each contact hour, students are expected to be able to answer each learning objective. The drug lists summarize the essential drugs covered for each contact hour. Questions on the progress exams will be designed to assess your mastery of the learning objectives. Drugs shown in bold in the drug lists are those included in the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs based upon the number of prescriptions dispensed. Please note that not all important and commonly used drugs are necessarily "commonly prescribed" if, for example, they are used primarily in a hospital setting (e.g. lidocaine, epinephrine, general anesthetics), are sold over the counter (e.g. aspirin), or are highly abused (cocaine).

Spring Semester 2008

CNS Endocrine
Introduction to CNS (Self Study - Handout) Antithyroid drugs
Treatment of Movement Dysfunction Insulin
Opioid Analgesics I & II Oral Hypoglycemic drugs
Alcohol PBL - Diabetes
Spasmolytics (Self Study - handout) Gonadotropins & Estrogens
Local Anesthetics, General Anesthetics & Adjuvants Progestins & Androgens
Clinical Management of Pain Oral Contraceptives (Self Study - handout)
Treatment of Migraine Headaches (Self Study - handout) PBL - Contraceptives
Antiepileptic Drugs (Self Study - handout)  Drug Responses in Women, Children & Elderly
  Stem Cell Therapy 
Human Behavior  
Antipsychotics Toxicology
Anxiolytics/Sedatives/Hypnotics Principles of Toxicology
Antidepressants, MAO Inhibitors & Li Toxicology
Drugs of Abuse  Heavy Metals (Self Study - handout)
Drug Tolerance & Dependence Toxicology / Forensic Medicine
Clinical Roundtable: Drug Dependence Environmental Toxicology
PBL- Mood DIsorders Drug Interactions 
 Drug Laws (Self Study - handout) Lab - Treatment of Poisoning
   
GI / Hepatic Pharmacology  
G.I. Drugs  
Hepatic Drug Clearance  
Herbal Medications  
   

 

GI / Hepatic Pharmacology

Gastrointestinal Drugs Dr. Beckman

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Name strategies for treating peptic ulcer disease and specific drug groups with their mechanisms.
  2. Recall broad classes of laxatives and describe their mechanisms.
  3. List selected drugs for the treatment of diarrheal and motility disorders.
  4. Recall broad classes of drugs used to treat chemotherapy-induced emesis.
 

DRUG LIST: Antimicrobials:bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline, amoxacillin; H2 blockers:cimetidine, ranitidine (Zantac) famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine; Prostaglandins: misoprostol; Proton Pump Inhibitors: omeprazole, esomeprazole (Nexium); Antimuscarinics:pirenzipine; Mucosal Protectives:sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate; Antacids: aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate; Antiemetics: dronabinol, ondansetron, granisetron; Motion Sickness: scopolamine, dimenhydrinate; Prokinetic: metoclopramide; Antidiarrheal: diphenoxylate, loperamide; Absorbants: kaolin/pectin, methylcellulose; Laxatives:hydrophilic colloids, castor oil, bisacodyl, docusate sodium, mineral oil. **The prokinetic drug Cisapride (Propulsid) was recently removed from the US Market.

 

Hepatic Drug Clearance
 Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of drug distribution with regard to efficacy and toxicity of drugs.
  2. Explain how drug distribution may contribute to terminate the actions of some drugs.
  3. Explain the determinants of hepatic drug clearance.
  4. Explain the difference between pre-systemic clearance (first-pass metabolism) and systemic clearance.
  5. Explain the importance of plasma protein binding and hepatic blood flow with regard to hepatic clearance of drugs.
  6. Explain the changes in hepatic drug clearance associated with liver disease.
.

DRUG LIST: lidocaine, morphine, propranolol, phenytoin, warfarin

Herbal Medications (Reading Assignment - Chapter 65 in Katzung) Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:
  1. Identify the most widely used botanical products and describe their purported medical uses, adverse effects, and potential for drug interactions.
  2. Describe the proposed medical uses and adverse effects of dehydroepiandrosterone and melatonin.
  3. Recognize that in many cases the medical value of these substances has not been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials.
  4. Appreciate that these substances are marketed without governmental review of efficacy and safety.

DRUG LIST: melatonin, ma-huang, St. John's wort, ginkgo, ginseng, saw palmetto, dehydroepiandrosterone

CNS Pharmacology

Introduction to the CNS (Self Study - Handout) Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Cite examples of how a drug can affect more than a single receptor subtype due to the homology between receptors (e.g. amongst the G-protein coupled superfamily of receptors).
  2. Describe the differences between neurotransmitters, neurohormones and neuromodulators
  3. Describe different major receptor superfamilies & the major chemical classes of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters

DRUG LIST: glutamate, aspartate, glycine, GABA, substance P, monoamines (histamine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin).

Treatment of Movement Dysfunction (Reading Assignment - Katzung Chapter 28) Dr. Taylor

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain how degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway results in Parkinsonism.
  2. Explain how levodopa works to relieve the symptoms in Parkinsonism.
  3. Discuss the interplay of neurotransmitters in the extrapyramidal control of motion, and how they can be influenced pharmacologically to treat disorders of the system
  4. Explain the relationship of natural and iatrogenic Parkinsonism and chorea (i.e. tardive dyskinesia) and their current and future therapies.

    DRUG LIST:     levodopa (l-dopa), carbidopa, GABA, atropine.
Opioid Analgesics I & II Drs. Taylor & George

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Contrast and compare the clinical indications for the opioids in terms of acute vs. chronic pain and sharp vs. dull pain.
  2. Explain the mechanisms of opioid (morphine) action at opioid receptors of peripheral tissues, spinal cord and brain.
  3. Explain the mechanisms of opioid action at the cellular level (in the dorsal horn).
  4. Describe the pharmacological responses associated with the stimulation of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptor subtypes. Correlate with the characteristics of the endogenous opioid agonists (endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins, endomorphins).
  5. Explain side effects of morphine in terms of kappa receptor stimulation.
  6. Explain the accepted therapeutic uses of morphine. Contrast salient differences in pharmacology with other agonists such as meperidine, fentanyl & methadone.
  7. List the primary contraindications of morphine use and the basis for the contraindications.
  8. Discuss the toxicology and treatment of morphine overdose.
  9. Explain the basis for categorization of opioids as strong or moderate agonists.

DRUG LIST: codeine, dextromethorphan, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, buprenorphine, naloxone, naltrexone

 

Alcohol Dr. George

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the effects of alcohol on the body as a function of dose.
  2. Discuss the rate at which alcohol is typically absorbed following oral administration, and the effects of food on absorption.
  3. Describe the enzymatic metabolism of alcohol with respect to mechanism and rate.
  4. Calculate a blood level of alcohol based upon the patients weight and amount ingested.
  5. Describe the various tests used to determine the amount of alcohol in the body.
  6. Explain the prinicple of zero order elimination of alcohol.
  7. Predict what the blood alcohol level would have been in a patient at an earlier time.
  8. Describe the types of tolerance that occur with alcohol.
  9. Explain how to treat ethyl alcohol overdose.

DRUG LIST: ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol

 

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Self Study handout & Chp 27) Dr. Taylor

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the major indications for the clinical use of skeletal muscle relaxants.
  2. Discuss the pathophysiological basis of rigidity, spasticity and muscle spasm.
  3. List drugs useful for treatment of spasticity and compare and contrast the mechanisms of action and adverse effects of benzodiazepines, baclofen and dantrolne when used for this purpose.
  4. Describe how the therapeutic utility of cyclobenzaprine for treatment of muscle spasm differs from that of baclofen and benzodiazepines.

DRUG LIST:baclofen, diazepam, dantrolene, tubocurarine, cyclobenzaprine,

 

Local Anesthetics
Dr. Clarkson
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
  1. Describe the mechanism by which local anesthetics produce their effects on neuronal tissue
  2. Describe the nomenclature by which local anesthetics are classified & be able to categorize different local anesthetics
  3. Explain how the duration of local anesthesia can be prolonged by coadministration of a local anesthetic with epinephrine.
  4. Describe the CNS and cardiovascular side effects that can be expected when a local anesthetic is inadvertently injected i.v.

    DRUG LIST: Amides: lidocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine; Esters: tetracaine, 2-chloroprocaine, procaine

 
General Anesthetics & Adjunts to Anesthesia Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the main inhalational anesthetic agents & describe their mechanism of action.
  2. Describe the relationship of the blood:gas partition coefficient of an inhalational anesthetic with its speed of onset of anesthesia & its recovery time.
  3. Explain the concept of minimum alveolar concentration.
  4. Describe the major clinical characteristics of nitrous oxide, halothane, desflurane sevoflurane, isoflurane & enflurane.
  5. Describe the major toxicities associated with nitrous oxide & the halogenated anesthetics including halothane & methoxyflurane.
  6. Describe the major indications for use of the i.v. anesthetics: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids, propofol & etomidate.
  7. Describe how the effects of NMJ blockers can be rapidly reversed during the post-op period.
  8. Describe the drug of choice for treatment of malignant hyperthermia.
  9. Explain the drugs used to prevent or treat nausea & vomiting following the delivery of anesthesia (including ondansetron, and ketorolac).
DRUG LIST: Inhaled Anesthetics: halothane, isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane, nitrous oxide. Skeletal muscle relaxants: succinylcholine, tubocurarine, mivacurium, rocuronium (& others not emphasized include atacurium, vencuronium, pancuronium). Reversal of non-depolarizing blockers: neostigmine, glycoprrolate.

Intravenous Anesthetics & Adjuvant Drugs: thiopental sodium (Pentothal ®), methohexital (Brevital ®), etomidate, propofol, midazolam, fentanyl, diazepam, morphine, ondansetron, ketorolac, remifentanil, dantrolene


By the end of this session, you should be able to:
  1. List some of the characteristics that describe the psychological profile of a typical postoperative patient.
  2. Describe some of the limitations involved in administering narcotic analgesics by subcutaneous, transdermal and oral routes.
  3. Describe the 4 primary components involved in patient controlled analgesia (PCA).
  4. Explain why the dosage of narcotics administered during the postoperative period must be individualized for each patient.
  5. Describe the relative incidence of developing a drug addiction to narcotic analgesics when patients are allowed to self-administer narcotic analgesics during postoperative convalescent care.
  6. Describe the most important element that drives the clinical activity of health care professionals in the treatment of postoperative pain.

DRUG LIST: morphine, meperidine (Demerol ®), fentanyl, sufentanil.

 

Treatment of Migraine Headaches (self study - handout) Drs. McNamara & Elliott

Treatment of Migraine
By the end of the session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the etiology of migraine headaches.
  2. Define how migraine headaches are classified.
  3. Define the stages of migraine headaches.
  4. Explain the role of serotonin in the: a) prodromal stage; b) headache stage.
  5. Explain the management of pain in: a) an acute attack of mild or moderate migraine headaches; b) moderate or severe migraine headache.
  6. Explain the therapeutic approach for the prophylactic treatment of severe migraine.
  7. Explain the etiology and treatment of acute nausea associated with migraine headaches.
  8. Explain the site(s) of action, receptor(s), and mechanism(s) of action of each of the following in the treatment of migraine headaches: a) NSAIDS; b) ergotamine; c) caffeine; d) sumatriptan; e) opioids; f) methsergide; g) propranolol; h) tricyclic antidepressants; i) cyproheptadine; j) MAO inhibitors; k) metoclopromide; l) diphenhydramine
Drug List: NSAIDs, ergotamine, caffeine, sumatriptan, opioids, propranolol, tricyclic antidepressants, cyproheptadine, MAO inhibitors, metoclopramide, diphenhydramine, morphine, dilaudid, codeine derivatives, verapamil, valproate, timolol

 

Antiseizure Drugs (Reading Assignment - Chapter 24 Katzung) Dr. Clarkson  

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the different types of seizures and the drug classes that are most effective in their management.
  2. Describe the proposed mechanisms of action of anticonvulsants at the cellular and biochemical levels.
  3. List potential drug interactions with anticonvulsant medications.
  4. Describe the more common side effects and toxicities associated with anticonvulsant therapy.

DRUG LIST: phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, valproate, gabapentin, diazepam, lorazepam, lamotrigine

EXAM - CNS Block

Human Behavior

Antipsychotics (Neuroleptics) Dr. Taylor

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the differences between classical and atypical antipsychotics.
  2. Explain why phenothiazines act as antagonists at multiple metabotropic receptors.
  3. Discuss why the antagonism of dopamine is central to the actions of classical antipsychotics.
  4. Describe the side effects and toxicities of antipsychotic drugs (especially extrapyramidal side effects).
  5. Describe the characteristics of several classes of antipsychotics (i.e. subclasses of classical and atypical antipsychotics).

DRUG LIST:chlorpromazine, haloperidol, clozapine; Also on top 200 drug list: risperidone, olanzapine

Anxiolytics/Sedative Hypnotics Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the stages of CNS depression.
  2. Explain the cellular mechanisms by which benzodiazepines & barbiturates exert their sedative-hypnotic effects.
  3. Describe the differences in the dose-depression relationships for benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
  4. Describe the major clinical indications, side effects & toxicity for the benzodiazepines & barbiturates.
  5. Explain the distinctive properties of buspirone, zolpidem & zaleplon. 

DRUG LIST: Benzodiazepines: chlordiazepoxide (Librium ®), diazepam (Valium ®), alprazolam (Xanax ®), flurazepam (Dalmane ®), lorazepam (Ativan ®), midazolam (Versed ®) oxazepam (Serax ®), triazolam (Halcion ®). BNZ Antagonist: flumazenil. Barbiturates: pentobarbital, secobarbital, phenobarbital. Misc: buspirone (BuSpar ®), zolpidem (Ambien ®), zaleplon (Sonata ®). 

Antidepressants, MAO Inhibitors & Li Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:
    1. Describe the most common therapeutic indication for antidepressant drugs
    2. List the toxic effects that occur during chronic therapy and with an acute overdose of tricyclic antidepressants
    3. Identify the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, list their major characteristics, and explain how they differ from the tricyclics in mechanism of action.
    4. Describe the major drug interactions associated with SSRIs
    5. List two of the commonly prescribed “dual mechanism” designer antidepressants & explain how they differ from SSRIs in terms of side effects & indications
    6. List the primary indication for MAOIs  in treating depression & their predicted drug interactions.
    7. Discuss the speed of onset of antidepressant effect that occurs after initiating drug therapy in relation to the onset of their effects on neurotransmitter levels.
    8. Discuss the indications, primary mechanism of action & side effects / toxicity for lithium in the treatment of mood disorders.

DRUG LIST: amitryptyline, imipramine, fluoxetine (Prozac ®), citalopram (Celexa ®), sertraline (Zoloft ®), paroxetine. (Paxil ®), bupropion (Wellbutrin ®), nefazodone (Serzone ®), venlafaxine (Effexor ®), phenelzine, St. John's wort

Drugs of Abuse Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the major mechanisms of action of caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, methylphenidate and amphetamine(s).
  2. List the stimulants commonly used in treating attention deficit disorders and narcolepsy.
  3. Describe the common signs and symptoms of overdose & withdrawal from cocaine and amphetamines.
  4. Describe the general principles of the management of overdose of cocaine and amphetamine-like drugs.
  5. Describe the potential long term effect of MDMA (“ecstasy”) on the CNS.
  6. Compare / contrast the psychological & physiological effects of LSD, PCP, and THC.
  7. Compare and contrast the hazards of LSD, PCP, ketamine, and cannabis.
  8. Describe the accepted or controversial therapeutic uses of marijuana.
  9. Describe the treatments for hallucinogen intoxication.

DRUG LIST: Stimulants: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin ®, Concerta ®), amphetamine & amphetamine mixtures (Dexedrine and Dextrostat, Adderall, Desoxyn and Gradumet ®), MDMA or ecstasy. Hallucinogens: cannabis or D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), phencyclidine (PCP), d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine

 
Drug Tolerance & Dependence Dr. Taylor

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Discuss the major mechanisms that can produce tolerance.
  2. Describe the major characteristics of drug tolerance (e.g. relative tolerance, how the degree of tolerance varies with dose and duration, cross-tolerance).
  3. Define what is meant by the terms addiction & physical dependence.
  4. Explain the biological bases of drug dependence and why certain drugs are dependence-producing.
  5. Describe the relationships between tolerance, adaptation and physical dependence.
  6. Describe the social parameters involved with drug dependence.

DRUG LIST: cocaine, barbiturates, opioids

 

Clinical Round Table - Drug Dependence Drs. Clarkson & Johnson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Discuss the multifactorial social problem that drug dependence presents to society.

DRUG LIST: heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, cannabis

 
PBL - Mood Disorders Dr. Clarkson/Faculty

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Discuss the importance of the multi-week latency to onset of therapeutic action of different drugs used to treat mood disorders.
  2. Discuss the importance of the washout period when switching from one drug to another in the treatment of mood disorders.
  3. Discuss why an exceptionally long washout period is required after treatment with some antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine).
  4. Discuss the possibility that mania may be precipitated when treating a bipolar depressive with an antidepressant.

DRUG LIST: fluoxetine (Prozac ®), phenelzine, lithium

 
Drug Laws (Self Study / Handout) Dr. Clarkson

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the laws concerning prescribing of drugs.
  2. Describe the difference between Phase 1-4 of clinical trials.
  3. Describe the major characteristics of the five major drug schedules by which controlled substances are categorized.
  4. Be able to place phencyclidine, cocaine, diazepam and codeine elixir into appropriate drug schedules.
 

EXAM - Human Behavior Block

Endocrine

Thyroid & Antithyroid Drugs Dr. Beckman

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the synthesis of thyroid hormone.
  2. Point out the sites of action for inhibitors of thyroid hormone synthesis.
  3. Explain the therapeutic effects of thyroid hormones in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
  4. Explain the therapeutic effects of anti-thyroid drugs in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
 

DRUG LIST: levothyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), iodide, propylthiouracil, methimazole,

 

Insulin
Drs. Fonseca & Beckman

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the effects of insulin on liver, muscle and adipose tissue.
  2. List the types of insulin preparations available, and their pharmacology
  3. Describe the hazards of insulin use.

DRUG LIST: Ultra rapid & short acting: insulin lispro, insulin aspart; Short acting: crystalline zinc (regular) insulin; Intermediate acting: isophane insulin (NPH), lente insulin, neutral protamine lispro (NPL), protamine crystalline (crystal) aspart; Long acting: ultralente insulin (insulin zinc extended), Ultra-long acting: insulin glargine

 

Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs
 Drs. Fonseca & Beckman

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the prototypes and describe the mechanisms of action and toxicities of the major classes of oral antidiabetic agents
  2. Describe the indications & contraindications and advantages & disadvantages of each class of oral hypoglycemic drugs.

DRUG LIST:acarabose, chloroporpamide, tolbutamide, glyburide, glipizide, metformin, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, rapaglinide, nateglinide

PBL - Diabetes Dr. Beckman & Faculty

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes
  2. Recall the incidence of diabetes in the USA
  3. Describe several complications of type 2 diabetes
  4. Recall the first-line agent for controlling hypertension associated with type 2 diabetes
  5. Recall the first-line treatment for treating dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes
  6. Describe the clinical features of the insulin-resistance syndrome
  7. Discuss the drugs used in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes
  8. Identify the pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of insulin resistance
  9. List the goals of therapy for type 2 diabetes

    DRUG LIST: sulfonylureas (glipizide), meglitinides (rapaglinide), phenylalanines (nateglinide), isophane insulin (NPH), biguanides (metformin), alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (acarabose), thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone), simvastatin, captopril

 

Gonadotropins & Estrogens Dr. McLachlan

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the types of estrogens used therapeutically
  2. Explain their therapeutic actions
  3. Describe the adverse effects of estrogens
  4. List the contraindications for estrogen therapy
  5. Recognize the therapeutic uses for antiestrogens
  6. Define what a SERM is.

DRUG LIST: 17-beta estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, estrone, estriol, ethinyl estradiol, mestranol, SERMS: clomiphene, tamoxifen, raloxifene, leuprolide

 

Progestins & Androgens Dr. McLachlan

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. List the reasons for use of progestins in oral contraceptives.
  2. Discuss other uses for progestins and their adverse effects.
  3. Describe the most common progestins used in contraception.
  4. List the clinical and non-clinical uses for androgens.
  5. Recognize the side effects of androgens.
  6. Recognize the clinical uses of antiandrogens.

DRUG LIST: hydroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, levonorgestrel, mifepristone, finasteride, testosterone cypionate, danazol, stanozolol, fluoxymesterone

 

Oral & Implantable Contraceptives (Self Study - Handout) Dr. Beckman

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain how oral contraceptives work.
  2. List the adverse effects of oral contraceptives.
  3. Recite the contraindications for oral contraceptives.

DRUG LIST: ethinyl estradiol, mestranol, norethindrone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, general info on oral contraceptives

PBL - Contraceptives Dr. Beckman & Faculty

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain benefits of oral contraceptives.
  2. List the advantages and disadvantages of progestin-only contraception.
  3. Describe the mechanisms of action of hormonal contraception.
  4. Explain the contraindications of combined oral contraceptives.

DRUG LIST: ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone.

Clinical Correlations - Drug Responses in Children, Females and the Elderly Dr. VanDyke

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the age-related changes in absorption, distribution and clearance of drugs (pharmacokinetics).
  2. Explain the age-related changes in drug responses (pharmacodynamics).
  3. Explain the influence of hormonal changes in females (pre-menopause and post-menopause) with regard to drug responses.
  4. Give examples of special therapeutic problems and potential adverse drug reactions in females, children and the elderly.

DRUG LIST: diazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, warfarin, cimetidine, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, ceftriaxone, tetracyclines, thalidomide, zidovudine, metronidazole

 

Stem Cell Therapy Dr. Bunnell

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the significance and potential of stem cells research.
  2. Explain the source, isolation, differentiation
    and ethical debate surrounding Embryonic Stem Cells.
  3. Explain the source, differentiation potential and applications of Adult Stem Cells.
  4. Discuss the similarities and differences between Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells.
  5. Discuss therapeutic applications in developemnt for stem cells

Toxicology

Principles of Toxicology Dr. George

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the statement "dose differentiates a poison from a remedy".
  2. Distinguish between a pharmacological effect and a toxic effect.
  3. Describe special terms or acronyms which are used to define toxicity or safety.
  4. Describe the basis of selective toxicity.
  5. Recognize the principle that in order for an adverse effect to occur in an individual, that there must be a completed pathway of exposure.
  6. Define the mechanisms by which specific antidotes produce their salutary effect.
  7. Describe the three aims of treatment of a poisoned patient.
  8. Describe the general ways to prevent absorption of ingested drugs or chemicals.
  9. Indicate the appropriate laboratory tests to determine whether a patient has been poisoned.
  10. List the agents or procedures used to detoxify or eliminate poisons from the body after they have been absorbed.

DRUG LIST: Preventions and treatment of poisoning, poisoning first aid

Toxicology Dr. George

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the toxic effects of common household products.
  2. Describe the general treatment of poisoning for specific agents.
  3. Describe the toxicology of prototypical drugs as a guide for explaining the toxicology of other agents in same categories.
  4. Explain the basis for distinguishing acute vs. chronic toxicity.
  5. List at least one good chelating agent for each of the major heavy metals.
  6. List antidotes for specific agents when they exist and their mechanisms.

DRUG LIST: carbon monoxide, amphetamines, marijuana, LSD, caustic agents (acids & bases), morphine, meperidine, atropine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol, methanol, neuroleptics (phenothiazines), kerosene, organophosphates, salicylates, acetaminophen, cocaine, PCP, tricyclic antidepressants, methaqualone, digoxin, phenytoin, theophylline, cyanide, heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, iron, lead, copper, mercury), oxalate

Heavy Metals (Handout) Dr. George

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the acute and chronic effects of exposure to the heavy metals lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, copper and iron.
  2. Describe the cardinal signs of exposure so that diagnosis may be facilitated.
  3. Explain the treatment of choice for each heavy metal including being able to identify the most appropriate chelating agent for each metal.