3 Review(s)

The Textbook of Pharmacology-II is a well-structured and comprehensive guide that delves into the pharmacological aspects of drugs acting on critical physiological systems, serving as an essential resource for pharmacy and medical students. The book begins with an in-depth exploration of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system, divided into three segments. The first section covers the electrophysiology of the heart, drugs for congestive heart failure, and various classes of antihypertensives. The second section discusses anti-anginal, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-hyperlipidemic drugs, as well as medications used in shock therapy and hematinic agents for treating anemia. The third part focuses on hemostatic modulation, including coagulants, anticoagulants, fibrinolytics, antiplatelet agents, and plasma volume expanders, which are essential in the management of bleeding and thrombotic disorders. The book also thoroughly covers the pharmacology of the urinary system, including the actions and applications of diuretics and antidiuretics, which are vital in treating conditions like hypertension, edema, and diabetes insipidus. It then moves into a detailed study of autacoids and related drugs, explaining the roles of substances such as histamine, serotonin (5-HT), prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, angiotensin, bradykinin, and substance P, as well as the pharmacological agents used to modulate these pathways. The subsequent section discusses non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-gout medications, and antirheumatic agents, all of which are commonly used in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Endocrine pharmacology is extensively covered in two chapters, starting with foundational concepts and progressing to the pharmacological actions of pituitary hormones, thyroid hormones, insulin, glucagon, parathyroid hormones, vitamin D, and corticosteroids. The second part explores sex hormones such as androgens, estrogens, progesterone, oral contraceptives, and uterine-active drugs, highlighting their therapeutic and physiological relevance. The final unit focuses on bioassays, explaining their principles, types, and practical applications. It includes detailed procedures for the bioassay of insulin, oxytocin, vasopressin, ACTH, d-tubocurarine, digitalis, histamine, and serotonin, enabling students to understand how drug activity is quantified biologically.