Clinical pharmacology 2025
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Preface
Pharmacology finds its most meaningful application in clinical practice. While the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs are discussed in detail in standard pharmacology textbooks, there is a need for a resource that integrates this knowledge with clinical medicine. This realization inspired me to write *Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology*.
This book aims to explain, in a simple and lucid manner, the pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms, investigations, and treatment of common diseases affecting each physiological system. Important and clinically relevant drug information—including dosage, routes of administration, adverse effects requiring monitoring, and significant drug interactions—is clearly highlighted. Relevant diagrams and tables have been included wherever necessary to enhance understanding.
The narration follows a story-like approach that unfolds smoothly, making learning engaging and easy. The text begins with general pharmacology, covering drug dosing in special situations, and subsequently discusses system-wise clinical pharmacology, including cardiovascular, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, endocrine, psychiatric, hematological, and infectious diseases. Special emphasis has also been given to dermatological pharmacology, ophthalmic pharmacology, pediatric pharmacology, drugs used in dentistry, emergency medicine, and the management of dengue and COVID-19 pandemics.
This book attempts to encompass almost all major clinical branches encountered in hospital practice and presents, in a concise format, essential aspects of common medical conditions seen in both IPD and OPD settings. One of the strengths of this book lies in the enriched clinical insights contributed by specialists from various disciplines.
The book is intended to serve second-year and final-year medical students by supporting their learning during clinical postings and case presentations. It will also benefit interns, postgraduate residents, and early-career clinicians by helping them refresh and apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world clinical scenarios. Moreover, it provides a time-efficient reference, reducing the need to consult multiple exhaustive textbooks across different specialties such as medicine, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, dermatology, and dentistry.
I sincerely thank all the contributing authors from pediatrics, ophthalmology, medicine, pulmonology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, neurology, anesthesia, cardiology, plastic surgery, and dentistry for their valuable inputs. I am grateful to Dr. Ashutosh Sayana, our respected Principal, and Dr. Sanjay Gaur, Head of the Department of Pharmacology, for their encouragement and support in completing this work. I also thank Dr. Rizvi, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Doon Medical College, for his guidance, and Dr. Harish Basera, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Government Doon Medical College, for his valuable contributions to the manuscript.
Finally, I deeply appreciate the unwavering support of my loving parents and the encouragement and appreciation of my dear students, which have been a constant source of motivation throughout the writing of this book.
