21 Best Books on Pharmacology

“Bradykinin, Kallidin and Kallikrein: Supplement (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Plasma Kallikrein-Kinin System and its role in various physiological processes. Over the last decade, the existence of kinins and kallikreins have been established, their structure characterized, and peptides synthesized. Kinins can modulate the actions of prostaglandins, histamine, and catecholamines. Inhibitors of kallikrein or kininase II are used in extracorporeal circulation or cardiovascular disease. The book is divided into 17 chapters covering topics such as Enzymology of Glandular Kallikreins, Kinins and the Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems, and Kallikrein in Exocrine Glands. The book highlights the increasing evidence of kinins’ metabolic operation and their role in the fertilization process.

“Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive survey of the anabolic-androgenic steroids role within the economy, excluding their sexual functions. It is valuable for both basic and clinical researchers, as well as beginners in the field. The book aims to present all the information in an organized manner and highlight areas that require further exploration. Although the anabolic action of steroid hormones has been extensively studied, their manifold effects and clinical applications are still being elucidated. Additionally, the book provides information for the careful use of steroids in certain metabolic diseases, as their clinical application has shown variable results, which warrant further exploration.

“Clinical Applications of Cardiovascular Drugs (Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine)” Book Review: The book discusses significant progress made in the development of new cardiovascular medications and the improved understanding of clinical pharmacology and pharmacology of existing drugs. It also explores new therapeutic applications of old drugs, such as using vasodilators like glyceryl trinitrate to treat acute heart failure and antihypertensive drugs like bretylium to manage ventricular arrhythmias. Chapters in the book focus on the clinical pharmacology and applications of individual drugs, taking into account factors like serum concentrations, pathophysiology, and drug interactions where relevant.

“Antiviral Agents: Advances and Problems (Progress in Drug Research)” Book Review: This book is an informative book edited by S Ren and E J Lien that discusses the latest advancements and challenges in the development of antiviral agents. The book covers six review articles on the latest studies on HIV, viral hepatitis, influenza, herpesvirus, and picornavirus infections. The articles focus on the development of HIV protease inhibitors, anti-influenza drugs, and neuraminidase inhibitors, as well as potential therapies for the treatment of herpesvirus and picornavirus infections. The book is an essential reference for researchers and practitioners in the field of antiviral agents.

“Drugs and Human Lactation: A comprehensive guide to the content and consequences of drugs, micronutrients, radiopharmaceuticals and environmental and occupational chemicals in human milk” Book Review: The second edition of “Medicine and Human Lactation” is a comprehensive guide on the impact of xenobiotics and micronutrients on human milk. It is the most comprehensive work on this subject, covering the processes of substances entering milk during formation, the effects of medication on milk production, determinants of drug excretion into milk, and their disposition in the child. The book analyzes 234 individual drugs and assesses the risk to the suckling child. It also reviews vitamins, essential trace components, radiopharmaceuticals, and factors influencing the passage of environmental and occupational chemicals into milk. The book contains nine chapters, including the use of monographs on drugs.

“The Pharmacology of Alcohol Abuse (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)” Book Review: The book focuses on the medical specialty of alcohol, bringing together the work of basic and clinical investigators in the field of alcohol and alcoholism abuse. It emphasizes the integration of findings from different levels of research, including recent insights from biology, to understand ethanol’s effects and the implications for the development of medicines. The book contains 28 chapters that cover a range of topics such as the pharmacological effects of alcohol and drugs, addiction on the brain and behavior, the behavioral concepts of abuse and addiction in diagnosis, neurochemistry of tolerance, dependence and addiction, genetics of alcoholism, pharmacology of alcohol and drugs, and sexual responsivity.

“Opioids I (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)” Book Review: This book presents a comprehensive survey of opioid research, covering the literature accumulated since the identification of opioid receptors and their ligands. With over sixty chapters written by experts in the field, the book covers topics ranging from basic science to clinical applications. Part I focuses on the diversity of opioid receptors, the chemistry of opiates and opioid peptides, and the neuroscience of opioids. Part II reviews the physiological and behavioral functions, as well as pharmacological actions of opioids, including neuroendocrinology, tolerance, dependence, and pathophysiology. This book provides a thorough and up-to-date overview of the field of opioid research.

“Negative Versus Positive Schizophrenia” Book Review: This book provides an insightful analysis of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenic disorders, and the progress that has been made in understanding them. Researchers from North America and Europe explore the relationship between contemporary ideas of positive and negative symptomatology and the early models of Reynolds and Jackson. They discuss various factors, such as phenomenology, genetics, biology, pharmacologic and nonpharmacological treatments, and psychosocial and longitudinal research. The authors also delve into current strategies for assessing positive and negative symptomatology and the stability of symptoms over time, with a focus on their implications for the positive/negative construct. Finally, they debate the relevance of the positive/negative categorization to child and adolescent schizophrenic disorder. The book aims to address important controversies in the field and promote constructive dialogue and compromise.

“Toxicology of Metals: Biochemical Aspects (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology)” Book Review: This book provides an overview of recent developments in metal pharmacology, focusing on the mechanisms that are important for assessing the risks to human health. It includes chapters on emerging topics such as resistance to metal toxicity, effects on biological systems, drug-chelation principles, and the use of porphyrins as indicators of metal exposure and toxicity. The information in this volume serves as a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare professionals, as well as a reference for students of pharmacology. While the field of metal pharmacology has traditionally been concerned with clinical signs and symptoms, advances in analytical techniques have allowed for greater understanding of the molecular-level effects of metals at even low levels of exposure.

“Pharmacology Handbook for Physiotherapists” Book Review: This guide is a concise and practical resource for student and professional physiotherapists seeking quick-reference information on commonly used medications in their daily practice. It is designed to provide accessible evidence-based information to maximize the benefit of pharmacology and physiotherapy treatments. The guide includes 11 chapters, covering fundamental pharmacology principles, legal and ethical considerations, body systems, women’s and men’s health, and medication issues for the young and elderly. It offers a clear explanation of how drugs may impact treatment and provides valuable information on medication actions and their interaction with physiotherapy treatments.

“Basic and Clinical Pharmacology” Book Review: This comprehensive volume covers all major aspects of pharmacology, from its scientific foundations to its practical applications in clinical settings. It includes sections that focus on the selection and administration of drugs in patients and the monitoring of their effects. The book features numerous case studies that illustrate clinical scenarios in various chapters. With over 300 examples and summary tables, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology presents important information in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, the book contains figures that provide valuable insights and enhance understanding of the subject matter.

“Autonomic Pharmacology” Book Review: The book provides a comprehensive overview of the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system. It covers the diverse range of drugs that act on this system, including their mechanisms of action, clinical applications, side effects, and interactions. The content is organized logically and includes the latest findings on topics not typically covered. This resource is intended for those working in pharmaceuticals, pharmacology, pharmacy, medical sciences, physiology, neurosciences, biochemistry, and molecular biology, both in industry and academic settings.

“Pharmacology of Ocular Therapeutics” Book Review: This book is a comprehensive guide to ocular therapeutics that covers all relevant fields. It provides a detailed explanation of ocular drug therapy by incorporating key aspects of pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical science, ocular biochemistry, and cell biology of these agents. The text includes chapters on drug transfer across barriers, systemic toxicity of topically applied drugs, autonomic drugs for diagnostics, and extemporaneously prepared formulations for day-to-day clinical practice. It also explores the use of mucoadhesive polymers in tear substitutes, ocular drug delivery systems, stem cell therapy, pharmacogenomics, antiangiogenic ocular chemotherapy, and drugs of herbal origin. This book is an essential resource for ophthalmologists, optometrists, pharmacists, nursing professionals, researchers in ocular drug development, and students.

“Principles of General and Autonomic Pharmacology” Book Review: The content of this book is designed for introductory courses in professional Pharmacology programs. Two fundamental drugs, prazosin and simvastatin, are used as examples to teach the basics of drug metabolism and disposition, drug potency, and the impact of drugs on the autonomic nervous system. Each chapter has a section that explains how the information fits into the broader field of pharmacology and therapeutics. The book contains text, tables, and figures that guide students on how to logically predict therapeutic and adverse drug effects. The language of this book is accessible for students and can be covered in a single semester. It provides essential knowledge for further studies in professional curriculum and advanced courses in drug metabolism.

“Textbook of Pharmacology” Book Review: This book provides comprehensive information on pharmacology, including drugs affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system, hematopoietic system, and genitourinary system. It also covers the effects of vitamins, systemic and local anti-infective agents, autacoids, gastrointestinal drugs, respiratory drugs, heavy metals, chelating agents, vaccines and antisera, diagnostic agents, hyperbaric oxygen, and enzymes.