General Pharmacology Course

Lesson 1 • Drug Nomenclature and Classification

Explains chemical, generic, and brand naming systems. Enables accurate drug identification across clinical and research contexts.

Lesson 2 • Basic Cellular and Molecular Biology Review

Reviews cell structure, membrane function, and signaling relevant to drug action. Bridges biology prerequisites to pharmacological concepts.

Lesson 3 • History and Scope of Pharmacology

Traces pharmacology from ancient remedies to modern drug science. Contextualizes the discipline's breadth and its role in healthcare.

Lesson 1 • Drug Distribution in the Body

Explains how drugs partition into tissues after absorption. Connects volume of distribution to clinical dosing decisions.

Lesson 2 • Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Parameters

Introduces one- and two-compartment models and key PK parameters. Enables interpretation of drug concentration-time curves.

Lesson 3 • Drug Absorption Mechanisms

Covers passive diffusion, active transport, and route-specific absorption. Links membrane properties to bioavailability outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Drug Excretion and Elimination

Describes renal, biliary, and other elimination routes. Connects clearance and half-life to dosing interval calculations.

Lesson 1 • Tolerance, Sensitization, and Receptor Regulation

Explains adaptive changes in receptor number and sensitivity with repeated drug exposure. Prepares students to manage tolerance in clinical practice.

Lesson 2 • Receptor Theory and Drug-Receptor Interactions

Defines receptor types and binding kinetics underlying drug action. Establishes the molecular basis for selectivity and efficacy.

Lesson 3 • Dose-Response Relationships

Analyzes graded and quantal dose-response curves. Connects ED50, LD50, and therapeutic index to clinical safety margins.

Lesson 4 • Signal Transduction Pathways

Maps intracellular cascades activated by drug-receptor binding. Links second-messenger systems to downstream pharmacological effects.

Lesson 1 • Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions

Covers synergism, additivity, and antagonism between co-administered drugs. Enables prediction of combined drug effects at the receptor level.

Lesson 2 • Drug Allergy and Immunological Reactions

Distinguishes immune-mediated hypersensitivity from non-immune ADRs. Prepares students to recognize and manage allergic drug responses.

Lesson 3 • Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions

Examines interactions at absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion stages. Connects enzyme induction and inhibition to clinical toxicity risk.

Lesson 4 • Drug-Food and Drug-Disease Interactions

Identifies how diet and comorbidities alter drug pharmacokinetics and effects. Integrates patient-specific factors into interaction risk assessment.

Lesson 1 • Adrenergic Antagonists and Blockers

Covers alpha- and beta-blocker mechanisms and therapeutic applications. Connects receptor blockade to antihypertensive and cardiac effects.

Lesson 2 • Cholinergic Agonists and Anticholinesterases

Examines direct cholinomimetics and indirect acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Applies muscarinic and nicotinic receptor pharmacology to clinical scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Adrenergic Agonists and Their Uses

Classifies direct and indirect adrenergic agonists by receptor selectivity. Links receptor activation to cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic effects.

Lesson 4 • Anticholinergic Drugs and Ganglionic Agents

Details muscarinic antagonists and ganglionic blocking agents. Connects their effects to clinical uses in GI, respiratory, and urological conditions.

Lesson 1 • Antiepileptics and CNS Stimulants

Covers mechanisms of antiepileptic drugs and therapeutic stimulants. Connects ion channel and neurotransmitter targets to seizure control and ADHD treatment.

Lesson 2 • Opioid Analgesics and Pain Pharmacology

Details opioid receptor pharmacology and analgesic drug classes. Addresses tolerance, dependence, overdose management, and non-opioid pain strategies.

Lesson 3 • Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Classifies antidepressants by mechanism and compares mood stabilizer options. Links monoamine and receptor theories to therapeutic and adverse outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Sedative-Hypnotics and Anxiolytics

Covers benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and non-benzodiazepine agents. Connects GABA-A receptor modulation to sedation, anxiolysis, and dependence risk.

Lesson 5 • Antipsychotics and Drugs for Psychosis

Compares first- and second-generation antipsychotics by receptor profiles. Addresses extrapyramidal effects, metabolic risks, and clozapine monitoring.

Lesson 1 • Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy

Covers neurohormonal blockade, positive inotropes, and diuretics in heart failure. Connects pathophysiology to drug selection for systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Lesson 2 • Antihypertensive Drug Classes

Compares diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers. Links each mechanism to blood pressure reduction and organ protection.

Lesson 3 • Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, and Thrombolytics

Covers coagulation cascade targets and antiplatelet mechanisms. Prepares students to manage bleeding risk and reversal strategies.

Lesson 4 • Diuretics and Renal Pharmacology

Details diuretic classes by nephron site of action and clinical use. Connects renal physiology to electrolyte disturbances caused by diuretic therapy.

Lesson 1 • Antifungal, Antiviral, and Antiparasitic Agents

Covers azoles, polyenes, antivirals, and antiparasitic drug classes. Connects pathogen-specific biology to selective drug targets and toxicity profiles.

Lesson 2 • Antibacterial Drug Classes

Surveys beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and other antibacterials. Links mechanism to spectrum, resistance patterns, and adverse effects.

Lesson 3 • Cancer Chemotherapy Principles

Classifies anticancer agents by mechanism and cell-cycle specificity. Addresses combination regimen rationale, resistance, and major toxicity management.

Lesson 4 • Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms

Explains enzymatic inactivation, efflux pumps, and target modification as resistance strategies. Prepares students to anticipate and counter resistance in clinical settings.