Pharmacokinetics

This course provides students with the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as they relate to the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. The course covers different steps of drug pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and application of principles of pharmacokinetics to drug therapy. The students are expected to learn that characterization of drug pharmacokinetics is an important prerequisite for determination of dosing regiments or modification of dosing regimen for patients. The relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is also explored. Pharmacokinetics as a multidisciplinary approach to drug therapy explores the application of pharmacokinetic methods to individually optimized dosing strategies based on the patient’s disease state and patient-specific considerations. In class lectures focus on basic principles with the latest information available on the topics covered. The lectures are designed to progress through guided class discussions, questions generated by instructor and students, and jointly evaluate their answers to ensure that the information is taught in the same context in which it is being used. Problem solving sessions help to develop and strengthen the student’s problem-solving ability using case studies. Through this process, students are expected to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.