Unit information: Opioids: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology in 2012/13

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Unit name Opioids: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Unit code MEDIM8060
Credit points 15
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Professor. Hanks
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
School/department Health Sciences Faculty Office
Faculty Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of current knowledge of the basic pharmacology of opioids and its clinical relevance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students completing this module will be able to discuss:

  • the history and development of current opioid usage
  • current concepts of the basic pharmacology of opioid drugs
  • the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of opioids and their clinical relevance
  • the safe and unsafe use of opioids
  • the desirable and undesirable effects of opioids and methods of minimising undesirable effects
  • the choice of opioid relevant to specific situations

Teaching Information

Two day block We run this module as an open meeting ‘the Bristol Opioid Conference’ which attracts between 160 – 200 external delegates.

Lectures Seminars

Assessment Information

Essay - student generated title (2500 words)

Reading and References

Hanks GW (ed). Palliative Medicine. Problem areas in pain and symptom management. Cancer Surveys Vol 21. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1994.

Benedetti C, Chapman CR, Giron G (eds) Advances in pain research and therapy Vol 14. Opioid Analgesia. New York: Raven Press, 1990

Fallon M, Cherny NI, Hanks GW. Opioid Analgesic Therapy in Hanks GW, Cherny NI, Christakis NA, Fallon M, Kaasa S, Portenoy RK. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010: 661-697.

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