EXPLANATORY REMARKS OF SYLLABUS
of the course in Pharmacology for medical students,
Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Sofia
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Course of studies – 3rd year
Semesters (Terms) – 5th and 6th
Examination – the end of the 6th semester
Full course of lectures and seminars – 165 hours
Timetable of the lectures and seminars
Semesters (Terms)
V (15 weeks)
VI (15 weeks)
Altogether: 165 hrs
Lectures
45 hrs (3 hr weekly)
30 hrs (2 hr weekly)
75 hrs
Seminars
45 hrs (3 hrs weekly)
45 hrs (3 hrs weekly)
90 hrs
According to the plan of education of medical students in the University of Sofia, for the
pharmacology are allocated 165 hours, during the 5th and 6th semesters (75 hr lectures and 90 hr
seminars). The examination is at the end of the 6th semester. During the 5th semester the students
have 3 hours both lectures and seminars each week, whereas during the 6th semester the
lectures are 2 hours and seminars 3 hours weekly.
The lectures precede the seminars as a rule and they begin with the subjects of General
pharmacology like pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the factors that modify the drug
kinetics and actions.
The lectures are given by highly experienced and internationally educated teachers. For the
first time in Medical University of Sofia as early as 1996 in the Department of Pharmacology
started the process of computer demonstration of the lectures and some of the seminars, using
the program PowerPoint in a Slide Show regime.
The subject of the lectures in Special pharmacology was selected in a way to promote both
vertical and horizontal integration of the matter, studied in the other basic and clinical disciplines,
and to facilitate its understanding by the students.
In the lectures and seminars is given special attention to the drugs used in the treatment of
socially important disease, like atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, thromboembolic diseases,
infections (including AIDS), neoplastic diseases, psychoses, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus,
anaemias, gout, erectile dysfunction etc.
As a rule we name the drugs according to their International nonproprietary (generic) names,
which facilitate the use of the acquired knowledge in any country of the world. During the course
of pharmacology basically we stress on the pharmacodynamics of the drugs, their
pharmacokinetics (bioavailability, binding to the blood proteins, plasma half-live, elimination out of
body; therapeutic indications, mode of administration and interaction with other medicaments and
food ingredients. Special attention is given to the expected undwanted reactions (including during
pregnancy and lactation) and contraindications.
The last lectures include the basic drug interactions, the unwanted drug reactions and the
acute poisonings and principles of antidotal therapy.
The lectures incorporate the full theoretical course of pharmacology, whereas the seminars –
95% of it.
During the weekly practical work and seminars the students study the drug forms, the
principles of drug prescription, the basic problems of general pharmacology and almost all groups
of drugs.
The experimental work consists of the next basic elements: a.) introductory test (up to 20 min)
with marks /; b.) seminar (up to 60 min), evaluated in the range from 2 to 6 (where 2 is faile,
and 6 is exellent); c.) demonstrations of drug preparations, video films, slides, etc. in a specially
prepared room (up to 30 min); d.) resolve of prescription tasks (up to 30 min) with actually doing
prescription. Most of the training practical work is with pharmacotherapeutic direction.
Each student is ask to prepare at the end of the both semesters a short report in written form
(5 min), which is to be presented in seminar, discussed and evaluated by his colleagues and
the assistant professor.
During the practical exercises the students prepare a protocol, in which they write the unit
discussed, the classification of the drugs and the prescriptions that are done. As a part of the
colloquium the assistant professor evaluates and signs the protocols written during the
corresponding cycle.
If the student is absent from a given practical exercise or seminar, he is obliged to accomplish
it in an extra time, after a written permission form the office of the Dean of the Medical Faculty. In
such case the student have to prepare written report on the corresponding unit that was missed,
with every part of the exercise (tables, literature etc.) and the prescription problems solved.
The conspectus for both theoretical and practical examinations incorporates basic units from
prescription of the drugs and all problems of general and special pharmacology.
Every semester the students have two colloquia. They include: a.) prescription of all drug
forms and problems of general pharmacology; b.) neurotropic drugs (without anaesthetics and
analgesics); c.) cardiovascular drugs and drugs affecting blood; d.) antibacterial and antiparasitic
drugs. The last three colloquia consist of solving tests, answering two theoretical questions and
doing 810 prescriptions.
The examination in pharmacology includes solving of written test during 20 min, practical
examination and theoretical examination. The students have 60 min for prepearing of both
practical and theoretical examination. They are not allowed to leave the room during the each part
of the examination.
The test includes problems from prescription, general and special pharmacology. Each
question is marked with “X” (sign of positive answer). The test is evaluated according to 6 step
system. If 60% of answers are correct, the mark is satisfactory (3).
The practical examination includes writing prescription tasks and short written argumentation
for the selection of the drugs that were prescribed.
The theoretical examination is combined – both written and oral. It has three questions, one of
which must be answer in written form, and the other two as short written plan that includes the
classification of the drugs and writing the representative in Latin and/or in English language.
The final assessment of the examination consist of the average mark during the whole year
(the marks of the colloquia are multiplied by two), the mark of the test, the mark of the practical
examination, and the mark of the theoretical examination (multiplied by three). If the student failed
on the test and the practical examination he is not entitled to continue on theoretical examination.
The individual choice of each student of the test, practical and theoretical questions as well as
the examining commission is based on lottery principle. The commission consists of assistant
professor and full or associate professor.
The examination starts at exactly 8 AM on the day determined by the Dean of the Medical
Faculty. Five min prior the beginning of the examination the students are obliged to take their
seats in the corresponding room.
Marked prescription order for the practical examination and paper for the theoretical
examination are given to each student by the Department of Pharmacology.
The program of pharmacology, used in the Department of pharmacology in Medical University
Sofia, is harmonized with the programs of the leading European universities.
2
EDUCATIONAL PLAN
of the lectures in pharmacology for medical students, 5th term  3rd year
Week
Lectures
I.
1. Object and division of pharmacology. Relationships with other sciences.
Historical review. Definition of drug. Stages in development and regulations
of new drugs. (1 h)
2. Transport of the drugs through biological membranes. General
pharmacokinetics.
3. General pharmacodynamics.
4. Factors affecting the kinetics and action of drugs. Particular events after
multiple drug application.
5. Cholinergic neurotransmission and mechanisms of its pharmacological
modulation. Cholinomimetics (cholinergic agonists).
6. Muscarinic cholinolytics (anticholinergic agents). Neuromuscular
blocking agents.
7. Adrenergic neurotransmission and mechanisms of its pharmacological
modulation. Adrenomimetics (adrenergic agonists).
8. Adrenolytics (adrenergic blocking agents).
9. Autacoids (monoamines, eicosanoids, peptides, purines, nitric oxide)
and their pharmacological modulation.
10. General and local anaesthetics.
11. Mechanisms of the neurotransmission in the central nervous system
and its pharmacological modulation. Sedatives and Hypnotics.
12. Anticonvulsants. Antiparkinsonic agents.
13. Neuroleptics. Anxiolytics.
14. Antimanic agents. Antidepressants. Psychostimulants. Nootropic drugs.
15. Narcotic (opioid) analgetics. Drug abuse.
16. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretic analgesics.
17. Drugs for treatment of heart failure.
18. Diuretics. Calcium channel antagonists.
19. Antiarrythmic (antidysrrhythmic) drugs. Antianginal drugs.
20. Peripheral vasodilators. Angioprotectors (capillarotonic, venotonic and
antihemorrhoidal drugs). Antidyslipidemic drugs.
21. Antihypertensive drugs.
22. Antihemorrhagics. Antithrombotics.
23. Drugs affecting haemopoiesis. Solutions for infusion.
I.
II.
III.
III.
IV.
V.
V.
VI.
VII.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
IX.
X.
XI.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XV.
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EDUCATIONAL PLAN
of the SEMINARS in pharmacology for medical students, 5th term  3rd year
Week
Seminars
I.
1. The object of pharmacology. Drogues. Drug – definition and names.
Drug preparations. Pharmacopoeia. Prescription – construction and
principles of order writing. Drug information.
2. Solid dosage forms. Prescription Writing.
3. Liquid dosage forms. Prescription Writing.
4. Semisolid dosage forms. Aerosols. Seminar on Dosage forms.
Prescription Writing.
5. Seminar and test on general pharmacokinetics and general
pharmacodynamics.
6. Colloquium on drug prescription and general pharmacology.
7. Cholinergic neurotransmission. Cholinomimetics (cholinergic agonists).
Muscarinic cholinolytics. Neuromuscular blockers.
8. Adrenergic neurotransmission. Adrenomimetics (adrenergic agonists).
Adrenolytics.
9. Hypnotics. Sedative drugs. Antiepileptics. Antiparkinsonic agents.
10. Neuroleptics. Anxiolytics.
11. Antimanic agents. Antidepressants. Psychostimulants. Nootropic drugs.
12. Narcotic (opioid) analgesics. Antihistaminic drugs.
13. Colloquium on neurotropic drugs (without anestethics and
narcotic analgetics).
14. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretic analgesics. Local
anti-inflamatory and revulsive agents.
15. Local anaesthetics. General anaesthetics.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
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EDUCATIONAL PLAN
ofr the lectures in pharmacology for medical students, 6th term  3rd year
Week
Lectures
XVI.
XVII.
24. Antibiotics – classification. Beta-lactams.
25. Aminoglycosides. Tetracyclines. Amphenicols. Macrolides.
Lincosamines. Glycopeptides. Polymyxins.
26. Sulfonamides. Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim. Antimycobacterial
drugs (drugs for treatment of tuberculosis or leprosy). The general
principles of the rational antibiotic therapy.
27. Quinolones. Oxiquinolones. Nitrofurans. Antiviral drugs.
28. Antisyphilitic drugs.Antiprotozoal drugs. Antifungal agents. Anthelmintic
drugs.
29. Drugs affecting respiratory function. Drugs affecting uterine motility.
30. Drugs affecting gastroinstestinal function.
31. Hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. Glucocorticoids.
Mineralcorticoids.
32. Thyroid & Antihyperthyroid drugs. Antidiabetic drugs. Antihypoglycemic
drugs. Drugs against obesity.
33. Central gonadoactive drugs. Estrogens and antiestrogens. Progestins
(progestogenes). Hormonal contraceptives. Androgenes and
antiandrogenes. Drugs affecting erectile dysfunction. Steroidal anabolics.
34. Vitamins. Multivitamin preparations. Drugs affecting mineral turnover.
Drugs for treatment of gout.
35. Antineoplastic agents. Immunomodulators.
36. Drug interactions.
37. Unwanted (adverse) drug reactions.
38. Antidotes. Principles of antidotal therapy.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX.
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EDUCATIONAL PLAN
of the SEMINARS in pharmacology for medical students, 6th term  3rd year
Week
Practical Seminars
XVI.
16. Drugs for treatment of heart failure. Diuretics.
XVII.
17. Antiarrythmics. Antianginal drugs. Drugs for treatment of migraine.
XVIII.
18. Peripheral vasodilators. Antihypertensive drugs.
XIX.
19. Drugs acting on haemopoiesis and blood coagulation.
XX.
20. Colloquium on drugs affecting cardiovascular function, haemopoiesis and blood
coagulation.
XXI.
21. Beta-lactam antibiotics.
XXII.
22. Aminoglycosides. Tetracyclines. Amphenicols. Macrolides. Lincosamines.
Glycopeptides. Polymyxins etc.
XXIII.
23. Sulfonamides. Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim. Antimycobacterial drugs. Antiviral
drugs. Immunomodulators.
XXIV.
24. Quinolones. Oxiquinolones. Nitrofurans. Antifungal agents. Antiprotozoal drugs.
XXV.
25. Colloquium on antimicrobial drugs.
XXVI.
26. Drugs affecting respiratory function. Drugs affecting uterine motility.
XXVII.
27. Drugs affecting gastroinstestinal function.
XXVIII.
28. Thyroid & Antithyroid drugs. Antidiabetic drugs.
XXIX.
29. Glucocorticoids. Estrogens and antiestrogens. Progestins (progestogenes). Hormonal
contraceptives. Androgenes and antiandrogenes.
XXX.
30. Drug interactions. Unwanted drug reactions.
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BASIC LITERATURE
1. Boyadjieva, N. (Editor). Basic and Clinical Pharmacology with Toxicology. ARSO, Sofia,
2012.
2. Katzung, B.G. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 12th еdition. McGraw Hill, New
York, 2012.
3. Rang, H.P., Dale, M.M., Ritter, J.M., Moore, P.K. Pharmacology. 7th еdition.
Chirchill Livingstone, London, 2011.
4. Harvey, R.A., Champe, P.C. Pharmacology Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2009.
5. Kalant, H., W. H. E. Roschlau. Principales of Medical Pharmacology. 7th Edition.
New York – Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2007.
6. Sharma HL, Sharma KK. Principles of Pharmacology. 1st Edition. Paras Medical Publisher.
New Delhi, 2007.
7. Tripathi, K. D. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 6st Edition. Jaypee Brothers,
New Delhi, 2008.
8. Page, C., M. Curtis, M. Walker, B. Hoffman. Integrated Phamacology. 3th ed.
Mosby – Elsevier, London, 2006.
9. Lüllmann, H., Mohr, K., HeIn, L., D. Bieger. Color Atlas of Pharmacology. 4nd
Edition. Tieme. Stuttgart – New York, 2008.
10. Benett, P.N., Brown, M.L. Clinical Pharmacology. 11th еdition. Chirchill
Livingstone. London, 2011.
11. Aktories, K., U. Förstermann, F. Hoffmann, K. Starke. Allegmeine und spezielle
pharmakologie und toxicologie. 9 Auflage. Herausger Urban & Fisher Verlag.
München – Jena, 2005.
12. Ламбев, Ив. и съавт. Принципи на медицинската фармакология (с обща рецептура
и тестове) – II допълнено издание. Под ред. на Ив. Ламбев. Медицина и физкултура,
София, 2010.
Pharma-CAL-ogy Software
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WEB site: http://www.medpharm-sofia.eu/
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