Leader: A/Professor T Norman

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

A revision of basic pharmacological principles of pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics covering the relevance of age, gender, ethnicity, common drug interactions, environmental influences, and route of administration. The unit covers major drug types commonly used in psychiatric practice including the underlying neurochemical basis for use in specific disorders and specified primary target syndromes & symptoms. Students are taught identification and measurement of psychotropic-induced common side effects, use of specific antidotes for common conditions, and use of instruments used to rate side effects. Prescribing patterns in Australia and prescribing guidelines/pitfalls are also discussed.

Objectives

During this selective students will:

1. Develop knowledge of the basic pharmacological principles and their relevance to clinical prescribing.
2. Gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the common psychiatric disorders such as depression and psychoses, and the underlying basis for the use of specific psychotropic medications.
3. Learn to critically analyse the literature on drug trials.
4. Learn a rational and practical approach to prescribing psychotropics including the management of side effects, the drug-resistant patient, use in the medically unwell and elderly patient.

Assessment

100% attendance is required, 1500 word essay

Contact hours

3 hour lecture weekly and 3 hours studying prepared course material.

Prerequisites

MPM Year 1 units