The internationally best-selling Medical Pharmacology at a Glance is the ideal companion for all medical and healthcare students, providing a visual overview of pharmacology, and describing the basic principles of drug action, interaction, absorption, and excretion. Clear and accessible chapters organised around common diseases and conditions facilitate efficient clinical learning, and include references to drug classes and side effects, disease pathophysiology, prescribing guidelines, and more.
Now in its ninth edition, this leading guide has been thoroughly updated to reflect current guidelines and drug information. This edition features new and revised illustrations, additional pedagogical tools, and enhanced online content. Widely recognised as both the best introduction to medical pharmacology and the perfect revision tool for USMLE and pharmacology exams, this invaluable guide:
Covers a wide range of drugs used to treat conditions such as hypertension, anaemias, cancer, and affective disorders Explains drug mechanisms and the principles of drug action Discusses practical topics including drug misuse, drug indications, and side effects Includes a companion website featuring online cases, flashcards, and a list of core drugs
Preface vii Acknowledgements viii Further reading ix List of abbreviations x Core drugs xi About the companion website xii 1 Introduction: principles of drug action 2 2 Drug–receptor interactions 4 3 Drug absorption, distribution and excretion 6 4 Drug metabolism 8 5 Local anaesthetics 10 6 Drugs acting at the neuromuscular junction 12 7 Autonomic nervous system 14 8 Autonomic drugs acting at cholinergic synapses 16 9 Drugs acting on the sympathetic system 18 10 Ocular pharmacology 20 11 Asthma, hay fever and anaphylaxis 22 12 Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract I: peptic ulcer 24 13 Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract II: motility and secretions 26 14 Drugs acting on the kidney: diuretics 28 15 Drugs used in hypertension 30 16 Drugs used in angina 32 17 Antiarrhythmic drugs 34 18 Drugs used in heart failure 36 19 Drugs used to affect blood coagulation 38 20 Lipid-lowering drugs 40 21 Agents used in anaemias 42 22 Central transmitter substances 44 23 General anaesthetics 46 24 Anxiolytics and hypnotics 48 25 Antiepileptic drugs 50 26 Drugs used in Parkinson’s disease 52 27 Antipsychotic drugs (neuroleptics) 54 28 Drugs used in affective disorders: antidepressants 56 29 Opioid analgesics 58 30 Drugs used in nausea and vertigo (antiemetics) 60 31 Drug misuse and dependence 62 32 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 64 33 Corticosteroids 66 34 Sex hormones and drugs 68 35 Thyroid and antithyroid drugs 70 36 Antidiabetic agents 72 37 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit nucleic acid synthesis: sulphonamides, trimethoprim, quinolones and nitroimidazoles 74 38 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit cell wall synthesis: penicillins, cephalosporins and vancomycin 76 39 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit protein synthesis: aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides and chloramphenicol 78 40 Antifungal drugs 80 41 Antiviral drugs 82 42 Drugs acting on parasites I: helminths (worms) 84 43 Drugs acting on parasites II: protozoa 86 44 Drugs used in cancer 88 45 Immunosuppressants and antirheumatoid drugs 90 46 Poisoning 92 47 Adverse drug reactions 94 Case studies and questions 96 Answers 98 Index 102
Michael J. Neal is former Chairman of Pharmacology, United Medical and Dental School of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, and Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, King’s College London, UK.
