PHAR 520 - Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

(3 semester hours)
Prerequisites: A Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science
Description: This course introduces the student to the principal factors that can impact absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs in the body. Specifically, mathematical approaches to characterizing pharmacokinetics (PK), the study of factors influencing drug concentrations in the body, and pharmacodynamics (PD), the study of the physiologic action of drugs in the body, are discussed with an emphasis on small molecule and protein therapeutics. The clinical and non-clinical applications of PK and PD will be discussed. The student will participate in simulations of real-world pharmacokinetic monitoring of various drugs used clinically to treat infections, control seizures, and suppress arrythmias.