The fourth edition of this market-leading anaesthetic book has been fully updated to include novel oral anticoagulants and neuromuscular reversal agents. Numerous other sections have been expanded or updated to reflect new research and current best practice, and the antibiotics chapter now includes information about commonly encountered pathogens and the drugs used to target them. Basic pharmacological principles, vital to understanding the effects of individual drugs, are dealt with methodically, and the essential physiology is described alongside the relevant pharmacology. This has become the core pharmacology book for the FRCA, covering all the relevant kinetics and dynamics in a compact and easy to navigate format, including clear diagrams and tables. This is an ideal aid to study and practice for junior and trainee anaesthetists. Theatre practitioners, ICU nurses and physicians working in areas that demand a solid foundation of pharmacological knowledge will also find this an invaluable resource.

Practical quick reference with concise descriptions and clear illustrations, giving readers all the information they need in one compact resource
Fully updated, with the addition and removal of various drugs, to reflect current best practice and the latest research
All drugs relevant to anaesthetic practice are covered - anaesthetic and analgesic agents, cardiovascular drugs, CNS agents and many others

Table of Contents

Preface
Foreword Zeev Goldik
Part I. Basic Principles:
1. Drug passage across the cell membrane
2. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
3. Drug action
4. Drug interaction
5. Isomerism
6. Pharmacokinetic modelling
7. Applied pharmacokinetic models
8. Medicinal chemistry
Part II. Core Drugs in Anaesthetic Practice:
9. General anaesthetic agents
10. Analgesics
11. Local anaesthetics
12. Muscle relaxants and reversal agents
Part III. Cardiovascular Drugs:
13. Sympathomimetics
14. Adrenoceptor antagonists
15. Anti-arrhythmics
16. Vasodilators
17. Antihypertensives
Part IV. Other Important Drugs:
18. Central nervous system
19. Antiemetics and related drugs
20. Drugs acting on the gut
21. Intravenous fluids and minerals
22. Diuretics
23. Antimicrobials
24. Drugs affecting coagulation
25. Drugs used in diabetes
26. Corticosteroids and other hormone preparations
Index.