Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce 3rd year pharmacy students to the key concepts associated with clinical pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and disposition, and therapeutic drug monitoring and how these may impact on patient therapeutic dosage regimens in various disease states, conditions and with concomitant medication. Additionally, students will build upon their knowledge on surface properties and formulation of heterogenous systems, including dispersions, semi-solids, suppositories, pessaries, aerosols and modified release products.

This will involve the study of:

• Effect of metabolism, drug transporters and disease on pharmacokinetics
• Drug interactions
• Management of poisons
• Therapeutic drug monitoring
• Solid in liquid dispersions
• Aerosols and Foams
• Semi-solids, suppositories and pessaries
• Modified release formulations

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Define steady state plasma concentration, describe factors affecting steady state plasma concentration and calculate steady state concentrations after a particular dose and dosing interval.
2. Describe common routes of drug metabolism and drug transport and predict the changes in pharmacokinetics associated with inter-individual variability.
3. Describe how drug transporters present in the small intestine, liver, kidney and blood-brain barrier may impact on disposition of drugs and potential drug-drug interactions.
4. Predict how pharmacokinetics may alter in various disease states and patient groups (pregnancy, obesity, geriatrics, paediatrics).
5. Discuss particular examples where drug-drug interactions impact on pharmacokinetics and patient therapy.
6. Calculate a drug regimen based on therapeutic drug monitoring principles
7. Discuss physicochemical and formulation principles of pharmaceutical dosage forams and drug delivery systems such as solid in liquid dispersions, aerosol systems and foams, creams, ointments, gels, suppositories, pessaries and modified release drug delivery systems.

Assessment

Final exam (3 hour): 75%; 2 in-semester exams: 20%; oral presentations: 5%.

Chief examiner(s)

Suzanne Caliph

Contact hours

30 x 1hour lectures, 4 x 3hour tutorials.

Prerequisites

PAC1222 Drug Delivery I
PAC2232 Drug Delivery & Disposition

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/