Introducing Pharmacology

<p>This fourth edition of <i>Introducing Pharmacology</i> provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the subject of pharmacology for nursing and healthcare students – in fact any healthcare professional needing to refresh their knowledge of this important area. </p><p></p><p>The fourth edition has been fully updated to include recently introduced drugs and a completely new chapter that takes the reader through the process of drug development and the clinical trials that are required before a drug is licensed for prescribing to patients. Acknowledging the COVID pandemic of 2020/21, a review of the vaccines and drugs used against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is included in this edition. </p><p></p><p>This popular text includes: </p><ul><li>Clear explanations of how drugs work in the human body </li><li>The underlying physiology and pathophysiology necessary for an understanding of the action of drugs </li><li>Coverage of the common drug groups that nurses and other healthcare professionals are likely to encounter in practice </li><li>Case-studies relating pharmacological theory to clinical practice </li><li>‘Beyond the basics’. A feature providing an in-depth explanation of the mechanism of action of key drugs. Useful for students studying at a more advanced level </li></ul><p><br>New to this edition: </p><p></p><ul><li>A new chapter explaining how drugs are developed and undergo testing in clinical trials. This chapter also includes a section on the critical analysis of clinical trials and a brief explanation of the statistics used to present trial data</li><li>An expanded chapter on pharmacokinetics, including the effect of renal and hepatic insufficiency on drug metabolism, and the new science of pharmacogenomics – the matching of drugs to patients, based on their individual genetics</li><li>A new section on common skin complaints, psoriasis, eczema and the drugs used to treat them</li><li>An expanded section on post-menopausal problems and the drugs used to alleviate symptoms</li><li>Updated content that reflects the latest guidelines and recently licensed drugs</li></ul><p></p><p>This textbook is an essential companion for nursing, midwifery students and other healthcare professions, as well as those on post-registration courses, studying to become independent prescribers.</p>