Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Course Overview

This Ausmed Course reviews pharmacodynamic concepts related to how medicines act on the human body and conversely, pharmacokinetic concepts that explore how the human body acts on medicines.

Topics

• An overview of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD).
• Pharmacogenomics (personalised medicine) and genetic variability in response to medicines.
• Pharmacokinetic medicine-medicine interactions and more ...

Need

Pharmacological therapy and medication administration is fundamental in many healthcare professionals’ practice. It involves a strong patient and ethical focus, as well as ongoing education in order to have a positive impact on patient outcomes. Pharmacists, as providers of medicines and advisors to medicine use, must fully understand the concepts and practical applications of these topics.

However, many of the principles underlying how medicines work are often difficult to comprehend. As safe administration of medicines is a priority, it is essential that healthcare professionals continue to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and methods of medicine absorption, distribution and elimination in their patient care.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to review the basic concepts relating to how medicines work on the human body, and the importance of bioavailability, half-life, medicine-medicine interactions, and peak and trough levels in therapy.

Learning Outcomes

• Use your understanding of the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to prevent adverse medication events that may impact on patient outcomes.
• Identify the processes through which the human body absorbs, distributes, metabolises and eliminates medicines in order to educate patients on effective medication management.
• Link the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics with best clinical practice in order to enhance delivery of care.

Target Audience

All pharmacists, registered nurses and other healthcare professionals would benefit from undertaking this Ausmed Course.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Louis Roller View profile

Dr Louis Roller has been an academic at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University for over 55 years. He served on the Pharmacy Board of Victoria for 22 years and is the author of hundreds of scientific and professional articles. Louis was made a life member of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Sciences Association in 2012 and was awarded the life-long achievement award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia in 2014. He is a prolific provider of education for Ausmed and for the University of the Third Age. He was awarded an AM in 2023.