Principles of Pharmacology: A Tropical Approach

by D. T. Okpako

Overview

This is a practical and informative introduction to basic pharmacological principles and practice, in general and in the context of tropical medicine and diseases. The author presents a concise treatment of systematic pharmacology, discussing the cultural and environmental factors that affect the use of drugs in the tropics. The book highlights the potential inconsistencies and incompatibilities that arise from the use of traditional and orthodox medicine, which can account for the extensive misuse of modern drugs among populations where the two systems are practiced. While emphasis is primarily given to the treatment of a wide range of tropical diseases including malaria, bilharzia and sickle-cell disease, the underlying principles are also fully explained; these provide a conceptual framework for the academic exploration of cultural, genetic, environmental and nutritional factors affecting drug use in the tropics. This will be a useful text for pharmacologists, specialists in tropical medicine and chemotherapy, as well as students and practioners in tropical environments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521340953
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/22/1991
Pages:	592
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.29(h) x 1.69(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Part I. General Background to Drug Usage in the Tropics: 1. Traditional medicine; 2. The problems of availability and quality of modern drugs in the tropics; Part II. Fundamental Pharmacodynamic Principles: 3. Measurement of drug response; 4. Receptors and drug response; Part III. Fundamental Principles in Drug Disposition: 5. Drug administration and factors affecting drug metabolism; 6. Pharmacokinetic principles; Part IV. Factors Affecting Drug Metabolism: 7. The influence of malnutrition and food-derived intoxicants; 8. Genetic factors affecting drug action; Part V. Selective Toxicity: 9. Antimicrobial drugs; 10. Antiprotozoal drugs; 11. Anthelmintics; 12. Anticancer and antiviral drugs; 13. Drug resistance; 14. Strategies for the development of new drugs; Part VI. Systematic Pharmacology: 15. Drug targets in the nervous system; 16. Noradrenergic mechanisms; 17. Cholinergic mechanisms; 18. Anaesthesia; 19. Pain and inflammation; 20. Drugs acting on the central nervous system; 21. Cardiovascular and renal systems; 22. Haemopoietic system; 23. Endocrine system; 24. Local hormones (autocoids); Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Recommended for students needing an introductory pharmacology text and for those needing additional information on tropical applications." Choice

"This textbook is intended to give the pharmacology curriculum for medical, pharmacy, dentistry, and science students in tropical countries a beter orientation. Students in these regions will probably derive valuable insights." Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

From the Publisher