Derek G. Waller BSc DM MBBS FRCP - Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 4e

2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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First edition 2001

Second edition 2005

Third edition 2010

Fourth edition 2014

ISBN 9780702051807

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

With respect to any drug or pharmaceutical products identified, readers are advised to check the most current information provided (i) on procedures featured or (ii) by the manufacturer of each product to be administered, to verify the recommended dose or formula, the method and duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the responsibility of practitioners, relying on their own experience and knowledge of their patients, to make diagnoses, to determine dosages and the best treatment for each individual patient, and to take all appropriate safety precautions.

To the fullest extent of the law, neither the publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

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Preface

The fourth edition of Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics has been extensively revised and updated while preserving the popular approach of the third edition. The text is structured to reflect the ways that drugs are used in clinical practice. It provides information suitable for all healthcare professionals who require a sound knowledge of the basic science and clinical applications of drugs.

As before, a disease-based approach has been taken wherever possible with the aim of explaining clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and the principles of drug use for the management of common diseases. Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics provides sound basic pharmacology background material sufficient to underpin the clinical context. New sections on headache and drug treatment in palliative care have been added and many of the diagrams are new or have been modified to further clarify complex areas of pharmacology.

Each chapter in this fourth edition has the following features.

An updated and succinct explanation of the major pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and consequent clinical symptoms and signs, helping the reader to put into context the actions of drugs and the consequences of their therapeutic use.

An updated comprehensive review of major drug classes relevant to the disease in question. Example drugs are used to illustrate pharmacological principles and to introduce the reader to drugs currently in widespread clinical use.

Basic pharmacology and mechanisms of drug action, key pharmacokinetic properties and important unwanted effects associated with individual drugs and drug classes.

A structured approach to the principles of disease management, outlining core principles of drug choice and planning a therapeutic regimen for many common diseases.

An updated drug compendium giving details of most drugs in the classes discussed in the chapter that are available in the UK. For easy reference these tables set out key similarities and differences among drugs in each class and complement the information provided in the chapter.

Fully revised self-assessment questions and case-based exercises to enable the reader to test their understanding of the principles covered in each chapter.

Chapters covering generic concepts of pharmacology and therapeutics have been extensively updated and include: how drugs work at a cellular level, drug development, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, drug toxicity and drug prescribing and genetic variations in drug handling and drug responses.

It is our intention that the fourth edition of this book will encourage readers to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of drug usage that will help them to become safe and effective prescribers and to carry out basic and clinical research and to teach. As medical science advances these principles should underpin the life-long learning essential for the maintenance of these skills.