Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE CPH5300

 
TITLE Introductory Psychopharmacology

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit aims to provide a sound understanding of the principles underlying basic concepts in psychopharmacology


Objectives

This study-unit gives the basis of the therapeutic action of drugs in the various phases of drug action, from the molecular level to general pharmacological activity, consideration of specific drug classes and drugs used in psychiatric treatment.


Outline

Introduction- definitions and general overview, prescription writing and legal requirements; Drug actions and different drug formulations; Clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring ; Hypnotics and anxiolytics ; Drugs used in the treatment of psychosis and related disorders; Anti-depressant drugs – tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, SSRIs ; CNS stimulants – amphetamines, drugs used in ADHD and obesity; Analgesic drugs: NSAIDS, non opioid, opioid, anti migraine, neuropathic pain; Anti-epileptic drugs; Drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson’s and Dementia; Adverse drug reactions ; Drug dependence and abuse including drugs used to treat chemical dependency; Drugs in special populations: elderly, children, pregnancy


Required Text

  -  Rang, Dale and Ritter and Flower. Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone 2007


Bibliography

  -  Laurence and Bennett. Clinical Pharmacology. Churchill Livingston 2006
  -  Dale, Dickenson and Haylett. Companion to Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone. 2006
  -  Neal. Medical Pharmacology at a glance. Blackwell Science. 2005
  -  Harvey Champ. Pharmacology - Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews. Lippincott-Raven. 2006
  -  Reid, JL, Rubin, PC, Whiting B. Lecture notes on Clinical Pharmacology 2006

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (1 Hour) Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Maria A. Cordina
Janet Mifsud
Charles Scerri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


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