LATEST PHARMACOLOGY
UPDATED NOTES 2025/2026.
1. COURSE PURPOSE
This is course builds on the previous knowledge acquired in your diploma training.It is
expected that you are familiar with basic principles of pharmacology like pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics and drug interactions among others. Therefore, this course is designed to
introduce the learner to the various classes of drugs and therapeutic agents; including their
specific pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug effects and drug interactions. The course
also introduces the learner to the basic principles of toxicology.The application of the nursing
processes in the management of patients on different drug therapies is of critical importance.
2. Course objectives
By the end of the course the student will be able to:
o Discuss the mechanisms of action of various drugs
o Explain the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of
drugs
o Discuss both wanted and unwanted effects of various classes of drugs
o Describe various drug interactions
o Explain various indications,cautions and contraindications of different drugs
o Discuss Pharmacological treatment of toxicity from different substances
3. Learning methods
The learning will be basically self- directed where the student is expected to commit at least
four (4) hours per week to his/her study during the trimester when one is doing the course
.However, the student should find the following learning methods useful in support of the self
-study:
• Face-to-face sessions
1
, • Group discussions with fellow students
• Telephone tutorials with the course lecturer
• Other consultations with the course lecturer e.g through emails
4. Evaluation system
Final trimester examination 70% of the final score
Assignments 30% of the final score
Table of contents
Preliminary section
Introduction
Learning outcomes
1. Chapter one
Anti-infective and chemotherapeutic agents:
• Beta-lactam antibiotics
• Tetracycline
• Macrolides
• Quinolones
• Amino glycosides
• Sulphonamides and Sulphoamide combinations
• Anti TB drugs
• Antifungal agents
• Antiviral agents
• Antiprotozoal
• Antihelminthics
• Others-Chloramphenicol,Clindamycin
2. Chapter two
Drugs used to treat pain:
• Non-Narcotic analgesics
2
, • Narcotic analgesics
• Drugs to treat headache
3. Chapter three
Drugs affecting the gastrointestinal system:
• Ulcer healing drugs
• Laxatives and antidiarrheals
• Anti emetics
• Drugs for gallbladder and pancreatic diseases
4. Chapter four
Drugs affecting respiratory system:
• Drugs to treat asthma.
• Drugs to control bronchial secretions
• Antihistamines
5. Chapter Five
Psychotropic drugs /Drugs for Psyhoneurologic system:
• Anti Psychotics/Neuroleptics
• Antidepressants and antimanics
• Central nervous system stimulants/psychostimulants.
• Sedative-Hypnotic and Anti anxiety agents.
6. Chapter Six
Drugs affecting the cardiovascular and the renal system:
• Antihypertensive
• Diuretics
• Antiaginals and other vasodilators
• Dugs to control cardiac arrhythmias
• Drugs to control congestive heart failure
• Drugs to treat hypotension and shock
• Fluids and electrolytes.
7. Chapter seven
3
, Drugs modifying the blood:
• Agents affecting blood coagulation
• Drugs to lower blood lipid levels
• Drugs to treat Anemia
8. Chapter Eight
Drugs to affecting the immune system:
• Immunizations
• Immunomodulators and care of patients with altered immune function.
• Drugs treatment of selected autoimmune diseases.
9. Chapter nine
Drugs affecting neurological system:
• Drugs acting on the autonomic system.
• Anti Parkinson drugs/Alzheimer’ s disease
• Skeletal muscle relaxants
• Anticonvulsants/Anti-epileptics
10. Chapter Ten
Drugs used to treat cancer:
• Cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer
• Tissue – specific anticancer agents
11. Chapter Eleven
Drugs affecting the endocrine system:
• Drugs affecting calcium metabolism-Vitamin D, Calcitonin, Parathyroid hormone,
Agent for osteoporosis, edetate disodium
• Drugs for treating diabetes mellitus
• Drugs affecting the adrenal glands- Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
• Drugs affecting the pituitary gland-oxytocin, Antidiuretic hormone, growth hormone,
Gonadotropic hormones
• Drugs affecting the thyroid gland
12. Chapter Twelve
4
UPDATED NOTES 2025/2026.
1. COURSE PURPOSE
This is course builds on the previous knowledge acquired in your diploma training.It is
expected that you are familiar with basic principles of pharmacology like pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics and drug interactions among others. Therefore, this course is designed to
introduce the learner to the various classes of drugs and therapeutic agents; including their
specific pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug effects and drug interactions. The course
also introduces the learner to the basic principles of toxicology.The application of the nursing
processes in the management of patients on different drug therapies is of critical importance.
2. Course objectives
By the end of the course the student will be able to:
o Discuss the mechanisms of action of various drugs
o Explain the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of
drugs
o Discuss both wanted and unwanted effects of various classes of drugs
o Describe various drug interactions
o Explain various indications,cautions and contraindications of different drugs
o Discuss Pharmacological treatment of toxicity from different substances
3. Learning methods
The learning will be basically self- directed where the student is expected to commit at least
four (4) hours per week to his/her study during the trimester when one is doing the course
.However, the student should find the following learning methods useful in support of the self
-study:
• Face-to-face sessions
1
, • Group discussions with fellow students
• Telephone tutorials with the course lecturer
• Other consultations with the course lecturer e.g through emails
4. Evaluation system
Final trimester examination 70% of the final score
Assignments 30% of the final score
Table of contents
Preliminary section
Introduction
Learning outcomes
1. Chapter one
Anti-infective and chemotherapeutic agents:
• Beta-lactam antibiotics
• Tetracycline
• Macrolides
• Quinolones
• Amino glycosides
• Sulphonamides and Sulphoamide combinations
• Anti TB drugs
• Antifungal agents
• Antiviral agents
• Antiprotozoal
• Antihelminthics
• Others-Chloramphenicol,Clindamycin
2. Chapter two
Drugs used to treat pain:
• Non-Narcotic analgesics
2
, • Narcotic analgesics
• Drugs to treat headache
3. Chapter three
Drugs affecting the gastrointestinal system:
• Ulcer healing drugs
• Laxatives and antidiarrheals
• Anti emetics
• Drugs for gallbladder and pancreatic diseases
4. Chapter four
Drugs affecting respiratory system:
• Drugs to treat asthma.
• Drugs to control bronchial secretions
• Antihistamines
5. Chapter Five
Psychotropic drugs /Drugs for Psyhoneurologic system:
• Anti Psychotics/Neuroleptics
• Antidepressants and antimanics
• Central nervous system stimulants/psychostimulants.
• Sedative-Hypnotic and Anti anxiety agents.
6. Chapter Six
Drugs affecting the cardiovascular and the renal system:
• Antihypertensive
• Diuretics
• Antiaginals and other vasodilators
• Dugs to control cardiac arrhythmias
• Drugs to control congestive heart failure
• Drugs to treat hypotension and shock
• Fluids and electrolytes.
7. Chapter seven
3
, Drugs modifying the blood:
• Agents affecting blood coagulation
• Drugs to lower blood lipid levels
• Drugs to treat Anemia
8. Chapter Eight
Drugs to affecting the immune system:
• Immunizations
• Immunomodulators and care of patients with altered immune function.
• Drugs treatment of selected autoimmune diseases.
9. Chapter nine
Drugs affecting neurological system:
• Drugs acting on the autonomic system.
• Anti Parkinson drugs/Alzheimer’ s disease
• Skeletal muscle relaxants
• Anticonvulsants/Anti-epileptics
10. Chapter Ten
Drugs used to treat cancer:
• Cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer
• Tissue – specific anticancer agents
11. Chapter Eleven
Drugs affecting the endocrine system:
• Drugs affecting calcium metabolism-Vitamin D, Calcitonin, Parathyroid hormone,
Agent for osteoporosis, edetate disodium
• Drugs for treating diabetes mellitus
• Drugs affecting the adrenal glands- Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
• Drugs affecting the pituitary gland-oxytocin, Antidiuretic hormone, growth hormone,
Gonadotropic hormones
• Drugs affecting the thyroid gland
12. Chapter Twelve
4
