Absorption and distribution -- Metabolism and elimination -- Drug interactions -- Drug receptors -- Dose-response relationship -- Drug toxicity -- Treating drug toxicity -- Hormones -- Chemotherapeutic agents: antibiotics and anticancer drugs -- Drug treatment of symptoms: neuropharmacology and substance abuse -- Cardiovascular drugs -- Pulmonary pharmacology -- Gastrointestinal pharmacology -- Drug discovery by the pharmaceutical industry -- Pharmaceutical development of drugs and the FDA -- Animals in research -- Alternative medicine.

Advances in pharmacogenomics and proteomics, along with the introduction of recombinant DNA technology, have expanded the applications of pharmacology to encompass a range of disciplines. Biomedical researchers, protein specialists, and molecular biologists are all involved in the development and delivery of novel drugs. Therefore, students in a variety of life sciences now require grounding in pharmacology. Adding much new material, Introduction to Pharmacology, Third Edition familiarizes students with the curative action of specific drugs, along with current research and the multifaceted role of pharmacology in society. New to the third edition ÂÃ,· Chapters on smooth muscle pharmacology covering gastrointestinal and pulmonary pharmacology ÂÃ,· Pharmacology advances at the molecular level ÂÃ,· The historical background of the Watson Crick model of DNA ÂÃ,· Cutting edge topics such as RNA interference and dopamine signaling The text begins with a discussion on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. Much emphasis is placed on pharmacokinetic aspects: how drugs produce an effect and the quantification of these effects for comparative purposes. Also the text describes substance abuse pharmacology and the evolution of drug laws. Several chapters deal with the development of drugs and challenges faced in drug discovery. Identifying both the therapeutic and toxicological aspects of drug use, Introduction to Pharmacology employs contemporary examples to help students become familiar with drug development and treatment, as well as possible adverse affects, and the impact of drug research and use on society today and into the future.