Pharmacology
Study Course Implementer
Riga, Konsula street 21, 3rd floor; Liga.Henke@rsu.lv; Linda Rugele +371 67409213
About Study Course
Objective
To obtain knowledge about pharmacological groups of drugs and drugs, their action, pharmacological effects, indications and possible side effects, possible drug interactions. To develop an understanding of the effectiveness and safety of drugs and to develop the skills to educate the patient about the correct and safe use of medicines
Preliminary Knowledge
Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of the study course, students will be able to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, classify drugs according to their pharmacological groups, explain their mechanisms of action and pharmacological effects, as well as justify the indications, contraindications, interactions and possible side effects of drugs. Students will be able to evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs and apply the acquired knowledge in patient care
Skills
1.Students are familiar with the most commonly used drugs, their use and administration methods, administration features and safe use principles, and are able to assess the risks associated with drug use and take the necessary precautions
Competences
1.1. Educate and advise: Provide the patient with understandable, substantiated information about the purpose of the medication, its mechanism of action, expected effects, common side effects, safety measures (e.g., interactions), and promote adherence. 2. Observe and evaluate: Systematically monitor the patient's condition, critically assess the therapeutic effect of the medication, and identify potential adverse reactions. 3. Report and document: Accurately document observations and promptly inform the medical practitioner about changes in the patient's condition, lack of effectiveness, or side effects. 4. Ensure safety: Verify the accuracy of the medication order (correct dose, route, time of administration), assess compatibility, and consistently follow safe medication administration principles to prevent errors.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
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Tulkojuma rezultātsIndependent and purposeful preparation for classes by studying the assigned teaching material and literature, active participation in classes and discussions, and independent and successful completion of weekly tests |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Weekly mini tests |
-
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Test
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|
Written test during class consists of two parts:
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||
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2.
Colloquium |
50.00% from total grade
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10 points
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The colloquium consists of 28 test questions (max 1 point each), 3 ABC descriptions of drugs (max 3 points each) + 1 calculation task (max 3 points) – a total of max 40 points. Interim examinations are graded and are passed if the result is at least 55%. Format – computerized examination in person in a computer room with a sequential navigation method. The cumulative assessment can be awarded to the student if all interim examinations are passed at the first attempt and the average interim examination score is at least 8 (eight) points (decimals are not taken into account when calculating the average score) + Weekly class tests – there are 13 tests in the course, of which the student must successfully complete at least 10 tests (that is, at least 75% of all class tests) |
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3.
Exam |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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A computerized end-of-semester test on all the material covered. The examination shall comprise:30 test questions(1 point per each, max 1 point)4 ABC of medicines descriptions(3 points maximum per item) and1 Calculation task(max 3 points) – max 45 points in total. The exam is graded and passes with a minimum of 55%. Format – computer-based or written paper-based test in a test centresequential navigation method. Time limit: 80 minutes. Course Overview In case of cumulative assessment, the final grade (course total) is determined as the average grade after rounding from both mid-semester examinations of the course, provided that the weekly class tests are also passed with 75% (10 weekly class tests must be passed). If a student has not passed at least 10 of the 13 weekly test (75%) and has not met the requirements for interim examinations, he or not obtaincumulative assessment and an examination at the end of the course. In this case, the final assessment of the course is made up of 50 % of the arithmetic mean of the two successfully passed interim examinations and 50 % of the arithmetic mean of the exam. When calculating both arithmetic means, the resulting average grade is rounded to a whole number. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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Video
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2
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Topics
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Introduction to general pharmacology
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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Video
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2
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Topics
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Pharmacology of the efferent nervous system I - Cholinergic agents
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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Video
|
2
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Topics
|
Pharmacology of the central nervous system I
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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Video
|
2
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Topics
|
Pharmacology of metabolism I- antiosteoporosis agents. Hypolipidaemic and antigout agents.
Calcium, vitamin D3 and A. Iron preparations
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Antibiotics. Synthetic antibacterial agents
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to general pharmacology
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to general pharmacology
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pharmacology of the efferent nervous system I - Cholinergic agents
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pharmacology of the efferent nervous system II - Adrenergic agents
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
|
Pharmacology of the central nervous system I
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pharmacology of the central nervous system II
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pharmacology of the central nervous system III
|
-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Computer room
|
2
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Topics
|
Colloquium No. 1
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Antihistamines and other antiallergics
|
-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pharmacology of metabolism I- antiosteoporosis agents. Hypolipidaemic and antigout agents.
Calcium, vitamin D3 and A. Iron preparations
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Pharmacology of agents affecting metabolism II - Anti-aggregants and anticoagulants.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
|
Pharmacology of metabolism-affecting agents III - Hormonal therapeutic agents
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Antibiotics. Synthetic antibacterial agents
|
-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
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Antiseptics. Antiparasitic, antifungal, antiprotozoal and antiviral agents
|
-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
|
Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Computer room
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2
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Topics
|
Colloquium No. 2
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Bibliography
Required Reading
Lekciju materiāls RSU E-studijas
Bibliotēkas E-grāmatu datubāzes: Access Medicine un ClinicalKey
Katzung. “Basic & Clinical Pharmacology”. 16th Ed., 2023Suitable for English stream
Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 14th ed., 2022.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
Santa Purviņa, Indulis Purviņš “Praktiskā farmakoloǵija” ceturtais izdevums ( akceptējams izdevums- latviešu valodā)
Willihnganz MJ, Gurevitz SL, Clayton BD. Basic Pharmacology for Nurses. 20th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2026. ISBN: 978-0-323-79630-9
Other Information Sources
DynaMed Plus datubāze
UpToDate datubāze