Clinical Pharmacokinetics in Theory and Practice – Introductory Course

About the course

The course is front-loaded with pharmacokinetic concepts and theories illustrated by hands-on labs. Later in the course, clinical applications will be highlighted by lectures and seminars on pharmacogenetics, drug-drug interactions, pediatric and geriatric pharmacokinetics, bioequivalence and introduction to pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relations and model-informed precision dosing.

Objectives

The course aims to help the participants develop an understanding of clinical pharmacokinetics to be able to guide clinicians in choosing the right drug and the right dose based on the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug and the individual patient’s characteristics and comorbidities.
After the course, the participant will be able to:
• Explain pharmacokinetic concepts from a clinical perspective
• Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics and concentration-effect relationships for guiding the choice of drug and dosing for the treatment of individual patients.
• Predict how pharmacokinetic properties influence the monitoring of drug treatment.
• Describe how pharmacokinetics (and to some extent - dynamics) change throughout life and how it is affected by dysfunction of the kidneys, liver and heart.

Target Group

Physicians (residents or specialists), doctoral students and researchers and other professionals (pharmacists, biomedical scientists, biochemists etc.) active in Clinical Pharmacology and with an urge to acquire or update their knowledge and skills in Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
Physicians, doctoral students and other professionals active in pharmaceutics-intensive specialities e.g. neurology, psychiatry, anesthesia and intensive care, internal medicine, haematology, gastroenterology, emergency medicine, geriatrics, infectious diseases, nephrology and those involved in the care of
transplanted patients.

Course content

Pharmacokinetic concepts and their physiological correlates: distribution, clearance, absorption after single and repeated dosing; protein binding, non-linear kinetics, flaws and errors, dose-response relationships, drug-drug interactions, bioequivalence, pharmacogenetics, geriatric pharmacokinetics, introduction to population pharmacokinetics, computer exercises, seminars and a home exam to consolidate the knowledge and skills.

Course set up

Lectures, seminars and computer exercises individually and in small groups.
The first day starts at 9.30, other days start at 8.15. Day 2-5 starts with a reflection and a quiz to recapitulate the contents of the previous day.
The venue will be Karolinska Institutet, Campus Flemingsberg, room 4I ”Takterrassen”, Alfred Nobels Allé 8.
A course evaluation and home assignment is sent to the participants on the last day of the course. Submission of the home assignment within two weeks is required for the issue of a course certificate.

Quotes from previous participants

“I am really impressed how you made such a big and difficult area understandable! I have learnt a lot!”
“Very knowledgeable lecturers which gives rise to very interesting discussions during the course.”
“I think all lectures were great, I especially like that the more hard-core PK was the focus the first few days and then a bit of PD and also PK in special populations towards the end. Good schedule!”

Course management

Olof Breuer, course leader, Senior Consultant, MD, PhD
Staffan Rosenborg, course leader, Senior Consultant, MD, PhD, Associate professor, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology
Quote from course leaders
“It’s fun to teach at this course with such engaged participants and lively discussions! The course dinner on Tuesday evening contributes to positive group dynamics.”

More information

Questions regarding course content:
Staffan Rosenborg, course leader
Email: staffan.rosenborg@ki.se

Questions regarding application:
Erik Pettersson, project coordinator Karolinska Institutet Executive Education
Email: erik.pettersson.2@ki.se