The following content will be covered during this course:
Module 1 - Opioids
- Explain the mechanism of pain
- Detail the following concepts about opioid drugs:
- Classification of opioid drugs; structure of opioid drugs
- Target receptors and mechanism of action
- Pharmacologic effects/unwanted effects; tolerance and dependence
- Pharmacokinetics
- Therapeutic uses
- Agonist-antagonists and partial agonists
- Opioid antagonists.
Module 2 - Neuromuscular blockers
- Compare and contrast depolarising and non-depolarising blockers
- Representative drugs
- Mechanism of action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Order of relaxation
- Side effects
- Identify the possible drug interactions
- Identify the clinical uses of neuromuscular blocking drugs.
Module 3 – Benzodiazepines
- Describe the function of GABAA receptor chloride channels in neuronal excitability
- Indicate the effects of BZDs, alcohol and barbiturates on these channels
- Relate the duration of effect of BZDs to the presence of active metabolites
- Outline the therapeutic uses of BZDs and flumazenil.
Module 4 - Anaesthetics
General Anaesthetics
- Describe the global pharmacological effects of general anaesthetics (GAs) including theories of anaesthesia
- Describe the mechanism of action and side-effects of intravenous and inhalational anaesthetics
- Outline the pharmacokinetic properties of general anaesthetics.
Local Anaesthetics
- Understand the structure-activity relationships of local anaesthetics and how they relate to duration of action and side-effects
- Describe the mechanism of action of local anaesthetics on voltage- gated sodium channels
- Outline the unwanted side-effects of local anaesthetics
- Describe the clinical uses of local anaesthetics including routes of administration.
Module 5 - Antiepileptic Drugs
- Describe the etiology of seizures and epilepsy
- Differentiate the different epilepsy types
- Define the older and newer subgroups of AEDs and their mechanism of action to control epilepsy
- Provide drugs of choice for the major categories of epilepsy
- Outline major drug interactions and teratogenic risks of AEDs.
Module 6 - Drugs for Diabetes Treatment
- Understand the use of insulin in different types of diabetes
- Know the administration and side-effects of the insulin
- Know the classification and working mechanisms of hypoglycemic drugs, their major side-effects and complications in type 2 diabetes
- Be inspired by the new development of antidiabetic drugs.
Module 7 - Drugs in Asthma
- Explain the pathophysiology of asthma
- Explain the importance of bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory therapies
- Differentiate “controllers/relievers” from “preventers”
- Explain the mechanisms of action of asthma drugs
- Limitations to current therapy.
Course delivery
Learning will be facilitated through online material presented on the UTS Canvas learning management system (access will be provided). Participants will use the knowledge for active discussion with their peers via monitored discussion boards and Zoom tutorial sessions.
During the Zoom tutorial you will be introduced to the blog assignment, wherein each participant will be assigned a topic to research and write a blog-style article about. The blog assignment will be worth 50% of your final mark.
Content will be further assessed through an end-of-session quiz that will be delivered on Canvas. All topics delivered on Canvas and during the Zoom tutorial are assessable in this quiz. It will be worth 50% of your final mark.
Supplementary assessment items and examinations for this course are not available.
It is recommended that any questions regarding the above are posted to the monitored message board prior to emailing the course coordinator.
