Human beings vary in their responses to the drugs prescribed to them. These variations can be due to differences in their age, gender, weight, health status, diet, concurrent therapy and genetic make-up. Recently, it has been estimated that 85% of a patient's response to drugs is due to the genetic make-up of the individual (Snedden, 1999).…

A lecture given in courses in applied pharmacokinetics at Wayne State University, Michigan, is presented. The definition of bioavailability is reviewed along with methods of calculation, bioequivalence, criteria for establishing bioequivalence of a new product, essentials of a bioequivalence study, and the relationship between bioequivalence and…

Although school counselors are increasingly involved in administering medications to students with emotional, conduct, and behavioral problems, few counselors have training in psychopharmacology. Gives a brief history of psychopharmacological interventions, and describes usage and side effects of drugs for psychosis, depression, anxiety, and…

The development and use of a restricted list of drugs in the medical pharmacology course at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine are described. The list contained 60 percent fewer drugs than had been taught in the course in prior years. (Author/MLW)

An examination to evaluate prescription writing was administered to a group of pediatric house officers and faculty at the University of Arizona. The data indicate that prescription writing should be taught to house officers, and that the therapeutic knowledge of beginning pediatric interns cannot be assumed to be adequate. (Author/MLW)

A calculator program for a Texas Instruments Model 59 to predict serum theophylline concentrations is described. The program accommodates the input of multiple dose times at irregular intervals, clearance changes due to concurrent patient diseases and age less than 17 years. The calculations for five hypothetical patients are given. (Author/MLW)

The importance of targeting certain stages in the life cycle of the virus for antiviral therapy is discussed with reference to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1. Research conducted on a core antigen, p24, is described. (MSE)

The molecular properties of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase are summarized and several strategies developed to inhibit its activity are described. (MSE)

Anticipated shifts in the demographics of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic are examined, current state-of-the-art AIDS patient management is summarized, and some unique facets of drug therapy in the AIDS patient are discussed, including adverse reactions, complex drug interactions, use of investigational drugs, and…

Patient management questions were used to assess ability to convert from one narcotic regimen to an approximately equal analgesic dose of a second regimen. Only eight percent of the answers were within the correct range. (Author/MLW)

Recent advances in the development of radionuclide labeled monoclonal antibodies as radiopharmaceuticals should result in commercially available products in the near future. This presentation describes mechanisms by which radiation can destroy cells, factors influencing the potential for successful treatment, concepts to understanding the use of…

An applied course designed to allow students to formulate pharmacokinetic recommendations individually for actual patient data and compare their recommendations to those of a pharmacokinetic consulting service is described and evaluated, and an objective student evaluation method is outlined. (MSE)

The Prescription Management Program, a software program using Apple's HyperCard on a MacIntosh, was developed to simplify the creation, storage, modification, and general management of prescription-based problems. Pharmacy instructors may customize the program to serve their individual teaching needs. (Author/DB)

Pharmacology embraces the physical and chemical properties of drugs; the preparation of pharmaceutical agents; the absorption, fate, and excretion of drugs; and the effects of drugs on living systems. These guidelines represent a consensus on what would constitute a minimally acceptable pharmacology course for predoctoral dental students. (MLW)

A discussion of the testing of new drugs in campus medical facilities reviews the process of federal approval of investigational new drugs, analyzes the implications of the federally mandated institutional review board, and the issues of informed consent and the ethics of human-subject research on campus. (MSE)