Pharmacology is a difficult subject by all means. In second year, the main aim is to get a good grasp of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the key drugs in question. By the end of the year, you will have learnt drugs for:

• Heart Failure

• Hypertension

• Peptic Ulcers

• Renal Failure

• COPD

• Asthma

• Thrombosis

• Cholesterol and Hyperlipidemia

• Cardiac Arrthymias

• Septic and other types of Shock (i.e.: Cardiogenic, Hypovolemic, Circulatory etc)

• Pregnancy, Contraception

• Hyper/Hypothyroidism 

• And many more conditions

This means, consistent work throughout the year is required for Pharmacology. Many of our year students did not fully figure out how to study for this subject as most of the material is tutorial based. The best way is to have a clear understanding of the lecture notes and the tutorial notes.  Look at the lecture notes provided below, and you should be fine.

Pharmacology

Semester One - Cardiovascular & Respiratory System Drugs

[Cardiovascular System Drugs - Summary 83KB]    

The above link features all the drugs that are examinable for the cardiovascular system drugs. It also  includes cardiac arrhythmias drugs. The above file features drugs for: angina, heart failure, thrombolytic (i.e.: aspirin), hypertension,  cardiac arrthymias. I find this a very good summary that correlates to the tutorials and the lecture notes. 

[Pharmacological treatment for Anterior Myocardial Infarction - Summary 22KB]

The above link features a great summary for the treatment of an anterior myocardial infarction. This was one of our exam cases. Importantly, it consists of management principles. 

[Septic Shock - Summary 31KB]

Septic shock was in last year's semester examination. It is a favourite question. Knowing this document will get a good mark. This is the level you are expected to know for the semester and end of year examination. If it is not here, then don't bother learning it as it is a direct implementation of the lecturer's case summary. 

[Chronic Bronchitis / COPD - Summary 44KB]

Chronic Bronchitis is one of the COPD's. Generally speaking, all COPD's can be treated a similar way, of course allowing for patient compatibility to the pharmacological treatment. Our exam featured a chronic bronchitis and emphysema case. Both pharmacology questions were taken from this summary. 

[Sample Pharmacology Case Report, Cardiac Arrthymias - 24KB]

Our year presented a formative pharmacology case report on one of the cases we studied over the first semester. This was not for marks, was completely formative and was not compulsory. This is one of my friend's work. It will give you an idea of what to learn for the exam. Cardiac Arrythmia's is a favourite question in the exam so be aware. It featured in semester 1 and final papers last year. 

[Sample Pharmacology Case Report, Septic Shock - 37KB]

This is my pharmacology case report. I chose Septic Shock and it came out in the exam. Be aware of septic shock or other forms of shock. This is a favourite exam question. 

Semester Two - Renal & Digestive System Pharmacology

Below are all the lecture summaries. They offer "to the point", exam relevant material.  

Tutorials (<= 28KB each)

[Tutorial 1]     [Tutorial 2]     [Tutorial 3]     [Tutorial 4]     [Tutorial 5]     [Tutorial 6]     [Tutorial 7] 

[Tutorial 8]     [Tutorial 9]     [Tutorial 10]     [Tutorial 11]     [Tutorial 12]     [Tutorial 13]     [Tutorial 14] 

Hints / Tips

Pharmacology is a tough subject regardless of the way you look at it. Here are some simple steps you can take to make this supposedly 'very hard' subject a little easier. 

• Make sure you focus on the drug's pharmacodynamics & pharmacokinetics. 

• Drug dosages are rarely asked, and usually in practicals

• Management principles are a must, and drug regimens are also very important. Exam questions are often 'general' so knowing your main principles and drug regimens will make it easier to answer such questions.

• Knowing pharmacological therapy, sequence therapy for particular conditions is also helpful. For example: A person has chronic hypertension - which drugs can be used, which drugs are best used, which drugs would you recommend and why. 

• Knowing major side effects is particularly important

• Knowing drug interactions is particularly important. The lecturer will often advise which ones to learn. For example: warfarin drug interactions with antibiotics, NSAIDs, amiodarone & histamine H₂ receptor antagonists is one of great importance. 

• The above points are the key to 'success' in pharmacology. All of this is covered in my notes, tutorial sessions, lectures and 'widened reading'. I would not worry about anything, apart from the things mentioned above. (e.g.: tutorial sessions ask you to define MI according to WHO > clearly not an 'exam' question).