PHTX 2700 (Common Medicines)

 

Fall, 2008

 

Department Offering Course: Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy

 

Pre- or Co-requisites: none

Credit Hours: 3

Meeting Time(s) and Location:  8:05 - 9:25 (M, W), WEB 101

Faculty Names and Ranks, Office Numbers, Locations, and Phone Numbers*

G.R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S. (GH), Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; 105 L.S. Skaggs Hall**; 581-3174

A.E. Fleckenstein, Ph.D (AF), Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; 116 L.S. Skaggs Hall**; 585-7474

T.J. Volz, Ph.D. (TV), Research Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; 115 L.S. Skaggs Hall**; 587-9203

*Note that the faculty teaching in this course do not use e-mail for course communications.  Please contact them in person immediately before or after class, or by telephone during business hours using the numbers listed above.

**Note that there are two "Skaggs" Halls on Campus.  The instructors' offices are located in L.S. Skaggs Hall, College of Pharmacy (i.e., on the Health Sciences Campus, two buildings south of the University Hospital)

Office Hours: By appointment.

Course Description:  Introduction for all students to basic principles governing the proper use of common, over-the-counter medicines (e.g., aspirin, cold remedies, diet aids, etc.), familiar prescription drugs (e.g., antibiotics, stimulants, depressants, etc.), herbal products, and potential benefits and risks of these medicines. 

Course Objective: Understand the therapeutic use and misuse of drugs, with special emphasis on over-the-counter preparations, commonly used prescription medicines, herbal preparations and drugs of abuse.

Content Overview: See topics listed in Weekly Schedule below.

Teaching and Learning Methods: Lecture, discussion, readings, extra credit papers.

Evaluation Methods, Points Scale:  All regularly scheduled exams will be comprised of multiple-choice questions.  Grades will be determined from points earned on examinations, and extra credit can be earned only as described below.  Students earning less than or equal to 90% will earn no less than an A-, less than or equal to 80% will earn no less than a B-, less than or equal to 70% will earn no less than a C-, and less than or equal to 60% will earn no less than a D-.  There will be 2 midterm exams worth 30 points each. In addition, there will be a final exam worth a total of 60 points (e.g., approximately 30 points covering the material from the last third of the course, and approximately 30 points covering material from the first 2/3 of the course).   Accordingly, there will be a total of 120 points available in the class.

Examples of questions from previous exams are available on the class website.  Exams #1 and #2 will be returned and will serve as very useful study guides for the final exam.  

In case of unavoidable absence, makeup exams may be administered at the discretion of Dr. Hanson.  Note that these makeup exams will not be multiple choice in format but instead written (i.e., short answer and essay format).  Makeup exams will generally not be administered during or after the last week of the regular semester.  Make certain to notify Dr. Hanson as soon as possible after any missed exam.  Make-up exams will be administered in Skaggs Hall at a time selected by Dr. Hanson.

Extra Credit Papers and Discussions: It is possible to earn extra credit for preparing 2 papers (possible 5 points for each) which deal with the topics to be addressed during the discussion sessions scheduled during 2 regularly scheduled class periods during the semester.  Each paper must be 2 full pages in length (no longer!), double-spaced, and typewritten (12-point font). A maximum of 5 points can be earned for each paper if the presentation is thoughtful and the entire discussion session attended.  A maximum of 2 points can be earned for each paper if the paper is turned in prior to the due date (see schedule below), but the entire discussion period is not attended.  Papers will only be accepted prior to or during the discussion class period.    Late papers will not be accepted.

Texts:  An Introduction to Common Medicines (ICM); readings available online on class website (http://www.pharmacy.utah.edu/pharmtox/common_meds/homepage.htm).  Drugs and Society, 9th edition (D&S) is also recommended (but not required), and copies are available on reserve at the Marriott Library.   If you wish to purchase a copy from the bookstore, please notify Dr. Hanson.

Review sessions will be conducted prior to each exam. Study guides will be available on the class website.

Weekly Schedule of topics and due dates

Date

Topic

Recommended Reading

Instructor

8/25

Introduction /Scientific Methods

ICM - Introduction / & Scientific Method

GH

8/27

Drugs and Medicine/Drug Responses

ICM #2 / ICM #3

GH

9/1

Labor Day (No Class)

" "

 

9/3

Drug Responses continued….

" "

GH

9/8

Testing and Marketing

ICM#1

AF

9/10

Testing and Marketing

 

AF

9/15

Drugs and the Nervous System

ICM #4

AF

9/17

Psychiatric Drugs

ICM #8

GH

9/22

Introduction to Drug Abuse / Narcotics

ICM #12 / D&S #9

GH

9/24

Narcotics/Marijuana

D&S #9/ D&S #13

GH

9/29

Marijuana/Hallucinogens/Club Drugs

D&S #12/D&S #13

GH

10/1

Alcohol

ICM #7

AF

10/6

Review for Exam #1 (This exam will cover lectures beginning with Introduction through Narcotics---it will not include the Alcohol lecture)

 

GH

10/8

Exam #1

 

 

10/13 - 15

Fall Break

 

 

10/20

Stimulants/Weight Management

D&S 10/ ICM #16

AF

10/22

Antihistamines and Cold Medicines

ICM #10 & 11

AF

10/27

Discussion Session #1 - First Extra Credit Paper Due / Oral Care

ICM #14

GH

10/29

Diabetes

ICM #27

GH

 

11/3

 

Drugs and the Cardiovascular System continued…. / Drugs and Cholesterol

ICM #25/ICM #26

AF

11/5

Drugs and Cholesterol continued….

 

AF

11/10

Drugs and the Gastrointestinal System

ICM #15

GH

11/12

Review #2 (This exam will cover lectures beginning with Stimulants/weight management through Drugs and Cholesterol.)

 

AF

11/17

Exam #2

 

 

11/19

Steroids/Accidental Poisonings

ICM #20

TV

11/24

Antibacterials

ICM #13

AF

11/26

Drugs and Skin

ICM #18

GH

12/1

Discussion Session #2 - Second Extra Credit Paper Due/Herbal Medicines

 

GH/AF

12/3

Analgesics

ICM #9 

AF

12/8

Review for final exam (This exam will include lectures beginning with Accidental Poisoning through Analgesics. See above for a description of comprehensive portion of the exam). This will be preceded by a video on Prescription Drug Abuse

 

GH

12/10

To be announced

 

GH

12/15

Final Exam: 8 - 10 a.m. (Note that this is not the regularly scheduled class time!!!!!!!)

 

 

 

Statements required According to the Undergraduate Council Sub-Committee Report, Standardization of Syllabi:

“All students are expected to maintain professional behavior in the classroom setting, according to the Student Code, spelled out in the Student Handbook.  Students have specific rights in the classroom as detailed in Article III of the Code.  The Code also specifies proscribed conduct (Article XI) that involves cheating on tests, plagiarism, and/or collusion, as well as fraud, theft, etc.  Students should read the Code carefully and know they are responsible for the content.  According to Faculty Rules and Regulations, it is the faculty responsibility to enforce responsible classroom behaviors, and I will do so, beginning with verbal warnings and progressing to dismissal from and class and a failing grade.  Students have the right to appeal such action to the Student Behavior Committee.”

 

“The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.”