Jitendar P Vij

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© 2011, Padmaja Udaykumar

All rights reserved. No part of this publication should be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author and the publisher.

First Edition : 2004

Second Edition : 2011

Typeset at JPBMP typesetting unit

Textbook is the most important companion, tool and light of a learning student to lead him, to shape him, enlighten him to perfect himself in the chosen subject of his studies. So it should be reader friendly, descriptive and analytical, to reach those goals, to fit into the mind of the learner. It should also be tailored to the needs of the student to pass his examination, which also is one of the primary goals of a student.

The expansion of pharmacology in the last few years has been phenomenal. Basic knowledge of commonly used drugs is essential for all those who are involved in patient care. The depth of pharmacology knowledge required for physiotherapists has now been better understood. This has prompted changes in syllabus in several universities for physiotherapy. To keep pace with these changes, this edition has been published. In this edition, several new topics relating to muscle nerve pathophysiology and geriatric pharmacology have been added as required by the syllabus of some universities and unnecessary information has been pruned. The book has been tailored to the needs of physiotherapy students.

Pharmacology is a science that is rapidly growing. Basic knowledge of pharmacology is required for all those who deal with patients. Since there is no standard textbook meant exclusively for physiotherapy students, they are faced with the hardship of having to refer medical pharmacology books. Such volume and depth of pharmacology is unnecessary for physiotherapists and also difficult to comprehend. Hence this book is written to make pharmacology simple for physiotherapy students. The presentation has been simple so that the students easily understand the subject. Guidelines of the University syllabus has been followed. More importance has been given for topics like analgesics, skeletal muscle relaxants and other musculoskeletal disorders which are emphasized for physiotherapy students. Syllabuses of some universities have recommended topics like ‘drugs and exercise’, ‘vasoconstrictors and vasodilators’ for physiotherapy students. They have also been discussed briefly.

I am extremely grateful to Dr M Shantharam Shetty, Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Orthopedics, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte University, Mangalore, for writing Foreword to this book.