GENERAL SECTION
Basic principles of pharmaceutical research. Steps in the development of a drug.
Drug-receptor interactions: forces involved, drug-receptor theories, topographical and stereochemical considerations.
Chemico-physical properties and biological activity: solubility, acidity, logP.
Absorption, distribution and excretion of drugs: routes of administration, factors affecting absorption. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.
Drug geometry and biological activity: conformational and configurational stereoisomers.
Drug metabolism: oxidative reactions, reductions, hydrolysis, enzymatic induction, phase I and phase II reactions. Prodrugs and soft drugs.
Drug classification and nomenclature. ATC classification.

SYSTEMATIC SECTION
Drugs acting on autonomic nervous system:
Adrenergic system. Biosynthesis and catabolism of adrenergic neurotransmitters. Adrenergic agonists and antagonists: structure-activity relationships.
Cholinergic system. Biosynthesis and catabolism of acetylcholine. Direct and indirect cholinergic drugs. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Cholinergic antagonists.

Drugs acting on central nervous system
Neurotransmitters in CNS: GABA and glutamic acid.
General anaesthetics: stages of anaesthesia, pre-medication. Anaesthetics for inhalation and intravenous administration. Mechanism of action and toxicity.
Anxiolytics and hypnotics: characteristic phases of the sleep, mechanism of action, barbiturates, analogues of the barbiturates, benzodiazepines, melatoninergic drugs.
Antiepileptic drugs: main types of epilepsy, mechanism of action, barbiturates, hydantoin derivatives, succinimides, benzodiazepines, other compounds.
Opioid analgesics: endogenous peptides, morphine and its derivatives, analgesic receptors. Phenylpiperidines and diphenylpropylamines. Morphine antagonists. Antitussive and antidiarrheal opioids.
Neuroleptics: mechanism of action, phenothiazines, tioxantenes, butyrophenones, atypical drugs.
Local anaesthetics: mechanism of action, cocaine, ester and amide derivatives.
Analeptics, methylxanthines, nootropic drugs. Psychodysleptics.
Antidepressants: mechanism of action, NA and/or 5HT uptake inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, atypical antidepressants.
Anorexiant drugs: amphetamine and its derivatives.

Antihypertensive drugs: adrenergic drugs, peripheral vasorelaxant compounds. Organic nitrates in the treatment of Angina pectoris.
Histaminergic system: biosynthesis and metabolism of histamine. H1 and H2 antihistaminergic drugs: structure-activity relationships.
Serotoninergic system: biosynthesis and metabolism of serotonine. Serotoninergic drugs: triptans and 5-HT3 antagonists.
Dopaminergic system: biosynthesis and metabolism of dopamine.

Drugs used in Parkinson Disease: dopaminergic and anticholinergic therapy. Enzymatic inhibitors: dopa decarboxylase inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, COMT inhibitors.
Drugs used in Alzheimer Disease: etiology of AD and therapeutic approaches. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists.
ADHD: etiology and therapeutic approach.
Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.