Pharmacology

Blood pressure, heart failure, rhythm — the drugs that keep the pump running.

The blood and marrow: anaemias and haematinics, bleeding and clotting, growth factors, haemoglobinopathies, and blood cancers.

How cancer is treated: chemotherapy, targeted and immune therapy, hormone therapy, supportive care — and the drugs behind the major solid tumours.

The two halves of pharmacology: what the body does to the drug (pharmacokinetics — ADME) and what the drug does to the body (pharmacodynamics — receptors, dose–response, safety).

Antibiotics, resistance, and the microscopic arms race inside us.

Fight-or-flight vs rest-and-digest — the nerves you never think about, and the drugs that command them.

The brain's own pharmacology — sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, anaesthetics and more.

The body's chemical messengers — diabetes, thyroid, steroids, hormones, and the drugs that tune them.

Asthma, COPD, allergy and the airways — inhalers, bronchodilators, steroids and the drugs that help you breathe.

Acid, ulcers, nausea, bowels, and the liver — the drugs that keep digestion running from mouth to gut.

Pain, inflammation and arthritis — NSAIDs, DMARDs, immunosuppressants, and the drugs that ease aching joints.

The skin as a drug target: topical vehicles and steroids, acne and psoriasis, eczema, infections, hair and pigment, and the severe skin reactions.

The poisoned patient: toxidromes and decontamination, paracetamol and salicylate, drug overdoses and their antidotes, toxic alcohols and gases, metals and pesticides, envenomation, and drugs of abuse.

The eye as a drug target: eyedrop pharmacology, glaucoma, the pupil and anaesthesia, ocular infections, inflammation and allergy, retinal and anti-VEGF therapy, and drug toxicity to the eye.

The urinary tract, bladder and prostate, male and female sexual health, contraception, menstrual and gynaecological disorders, obstetric pharmacology, fertility, and genitourinary cancers.

IV fluids and acid–base, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate disorders, the fat- and water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and clinical nutrition.