St.

Johns University
New York

College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions

UNDERGRADUATE DIVISION
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

TOXICOLOGY/DRUG ABUSE
TOX-5301

Fall, 2016

Dr. Lin L. Mantell

Office Hours:
Mondays: 9:30-11:00 AM
Wednesdays: 1:45-3:15 PM
Office: St. Albert Hall, 128
Email: mantelll@stjohns.edu

Course Description:
This course is designed to give students an introduction to clinical toxicology for the 5 th
year pharmacy students. This course examines the principles of clinical toxicology and drug
abuse, and provides a study of the clinical toxicology of commonly encountered intoxications
involving medical and household agents and agents that demonstrate abuse potential. A variety
of important non-therapeutic agents are discussed, including alcohols, gases, metals and
pesticides. Special emphasis is also placed on therapeutic drugs of abuse including:
sympathomimetics, sedative-hypnotics, and opioids. Topics covered include sources,
toxicodynamics, toxicokinetics, and clinical management. Toxins with bioterrorist potential are
introduced, especially compounds that affect the autonomic and central nervous systems.
Prerequisite:
5th year status (all required courses in the first four years).
Credit:
2
Course Schedule:
1h 55 min
Objectives of the course:
Upon completion of this course, the students should:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles of toxicology as they
relate to human poisoning;
2. know the mechanism of toxicity and treatment for selective agents;
3. understand the methods for the emergency management of poisoning with regard
to treatment and prevention;
4. demonstrate an ability to interpret and apply toxicology laboratory data;
5. understand the danger and treatment of household poisons and medications;
6. demonstrate an understanding of the toxicological basis of drug abuse and its
treatment;
7. understand how to access toxicology literature and poison databases.
Course Schedule:
90 hr total:
23 h lecture
>52 hr supplemental hours
Minimum time: 78 hours
Reference Textbook:
Clinical Toxicology: Principles and Mechanisms, 2nd Edition
by Dr. Frank A. Barile, CRC Press, 2010
2

ISBN: 9781420092257 - CRC Press CAT# H9225

Format of Teaching-and-Leaning Instructions:

My St Johns/blackboard
Evaluation:
1) Midterm exam:

30%

2) Final exam:

40%

3) Term paper:

20%

4) Homework/Unannounced Quizzes: 10%

5) Grades are computed according to the averages of the exams noted above and letter
grades are assigned based on those averages and standards set by the Instructor and the
University. Cheating in any formats in academic institutions cannot be tolerated!
6) Make-up exams will be given only with the professors prior approval and only with a
documented, justifiable reason for his/her absence. The reason must be of a significant
nature to justify absence from a scheduled exam and must be accompanied by
documented proof. No make-up will be allowed for an unexcused absence from the
scheduled exams.
7) The professor reserves the right to increase the difficulty of the make-up exam to
compensate for that extra study time. Students who must take make-up tests are not
eligible for any bonus points.
Grade Scale:
93-100..A
90-92A minus
87-89B plus
83-86B
80-82B minus
77-79C plus
73-76C
70-72C minus
67-69D plus
60-66D
59FAIL

TENTATIVE Lecture Topics & Outline:

Week and Topic
Section A: Introduction to Basic Toxicological Principles
1.

Introduction/Dose response

2.

Exposure/Effects

3.

Toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)

Classification of Toxins in Human

Section B: Management of overdose and acute toxicity

Toxicity of nontherapeutic Agents
4.

Pharmacotoxicology of Alcohols and Aldehydes

5.

Pharmacotoxicology of Gases

6.

Metals

7.

Pesticides
Toxicity of Therapeutic Agents

8.

Sedative-Hypnotics

9.

Opioids/ Sympathomimetics

10.

Hallucinogenic agents/Anticholinergic and Neuroleptic / Cardiovascular drugs

11.

Clinical Management of Poisoning

12.

Chemical & Biological Terrorism

13.

Term paper presentation

Out of respect for your colleagues and to the class, please turn off/silence all cell phones
during class.