Pharmacology Resources

Examination Resources:

• Pharmacology Viva by SUBJECT
• Pharmacology Viva by YEAR
• Pharmacology MCQ

LITFL Recommended External Resources

• The ICU Drug Manual: Dr Paul Young

ACEM recommended Textbooks:

• Pharmacology for Health Professionals (Bryant, Knight & Salerno) 2nd, 2006
• Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics Brunton Lazo Parker (McGraw Hill) 11th, 2006 [additional reference]
• Further reading:
  • Murray, Daly: Toxicology Handbook
  • Therapeutic Guidelines
  • Australian Prescriber Journal
  • Selected Proprietary Product Information

College Resource Information

A detailed knowledge of pharmacology is an essential part of emergency medicine. The principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutics and toxicology must be understood as well as their application to emergency medicine.

• The pharmacology of agents acting on the central nervous system, drugs acting on the cardiovascular system and drugs used in the treatment of infectious diseases should be known in some detail.
• Candidates should also have an adequate knowledge of antacids, analgesic agents, anti-inflammatory agents and drugs acting on the pulmonary and gastrointestinal systems.
• The pharmacology of drugs acting on the endocrine system and haematologic agents will not be stressed. However, candidates will be required to know the general principles of agents in this group and to demonstrate a working knowledge of those relevant to emergency medicine.

Candidates will be expected to be familiar with recent developments or reviews of drugs published in such journals as

• Medical Journal of Australia
• British Medical Journal
• New England Journal of Medicine
• Current Therapeutics
• Emergency Medicine Australasia

In approaching their study, candidates should use the prototypical drug of a class (where relevant) to identify the key pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic principles which can then be applied to other drugs in the same group as their knowledge is expanded.

LOA 1

• Candidates should demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as they pertain to the topic.

LOA 2

• Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of key concepts including detailed knowledge of pharmacodynamics and general principles of pharmacokinetics.

LOA 3

• Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the general principles involved in the topic. Where relevant, candidates may base their learning on the prototypical drug of the class