OFP 5608 - OFP PHARMACOLOGY

[2 Credits]

This introductory pharmacology course is designed for first-year residents in the advanced education program in orofacial pain. The course provides a foundational understanding of pharmacological principles and their clinical applications in pain management. Topics include pharmacodynamics, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, as well as the pharmacology of key drug classes such as anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, anticonvulsants, and CNS depressants. Residents will explore the mechanisms of action of glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and biologics, along with medications used to treat movement disorders, psychiatric conditions, and sleep disorders. The course also covers autonomic pharmacology, including drugs for the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and addresses important concepts in drug laws and prescribing practices. Additionally, the course introduces essential neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, focusing on the brain, spinal cord, and somatosensory pathways. With a focus on pain management and pharmacological interventions, residents will gain the knowledge needed to effectively manage orofacial pain in a clinical setting.