Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgements viii

Further reading ix

List of abbreviations x

Core drugs xi

About the companion website xii

1 Introduction: principles of drug action 2

2 Drug–receptor interactions 4

3 Drug absorption, distribution and excretion 6

4 Drug metabolism 8

5 Local anaesthetics 10

6 Drugs acting at the neuromuscular junction 12

7 Autonomic nervous system 14

8 Autonomic drugs acting at cholinergic synapses 16

9 Drugs acting on the sympathetic system 18

10 Ocular pharmacology 20

11 Asthma, hay fever and anaphylaxis 22

12 Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract I: peptic ulcer 24

13 Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract II: motility and secretions 26

14 Drugs acting on the kidney: diuretics 28

15 Drugs used in hypertension 30

16 Drugs used in angina 32

17 Antiarrhythmic drugs 34

18 Drugs used in heart failure 36

19 Drugs used to affect blood coagulation 38

20 Lipid-lowering drugs 40

21 Agents used in anaemias 42

22 Central transmitter substances 44

23 General anaesthetics 46

24 Anxiolytics and hypnotics 48

25 Antiepileptic drugs 50

26 Drugs used in Parkinson’s disease 52

27 Antipsychotic drugs (neuroleptics) 54

28 Drugs used in affective disorders: antidepressants 56

29 Opioid analgesics 58

30 Drugs used in nausea and vertigo (antiemetics) 60

31 Drug misuse and dependence 62

32 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 64

33 Corticosteroids 66

34 Sex hormones and drugs 68

35 Thyroid and antithyroid drugs 70

36 Antidiabetic agents 72

37 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit nucleic acid synthesis: sulphonamides, trimethoprim, quinolones and nitroimidazoles 74

38 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit cell wall synthesis: penicillins, cephalosporins and vancomycin 76

39 Antibacterial drugs that inhibit protein synthesis: aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides and chloramphenicol 78

40 Antifungal drugs 80

41 Antiviral drugs 82

42 Drugs acting on parasites I: helminths (worms) 84

43 Drugs acting on parasites II: protozoa 86

44 Drugs used in cancer 88

45 Immunosuppressants and antirheumatoid drugs 90

46 Poisoning 92

47 Adverse drug reactions 94

Case studies and questions 96

Answers 98

Index 102

About the Author

Michael J. Neal is former Chairman of Pharmacology, United Medical and Dental School of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, and Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, King’s College London, UK.