Introducing Pharmacology provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to pharmacology for nursing and healthcare students – and anyone needing to refresh their knowledge of this important area. Fully updated, the fourth edition is clearly written and includes features throughout to help readers understand and absorb the knowledge they need. It includes: • Clear explanations of how drugs work (and sometimes cause side-effects) • The physiology and pathophysiology needed to understand how drugs work • Extensive coverage of the drug groups that nurses and other healthcare professionals are likely to encounter in clinical practice • ‘Test Yourself’ feature to help with understanding and learning • ‘Beyond the Basics’ sections for those studying at a higher level • Case-studies, relating pharmacological theory to clinical practice • An extensive glossary of key terms and definitions New to this edition: • A new chapter on drug development and clinical trials • New sections on pharmacogenomics and skin complaints • Expanded coverage of pharmacokinetics and the effect of renal and hepatic disease on drug metabolism • Extended sections on viruses and vaccinations, heart failure, anticancer drugs and the management of post-menopausal symptoms • Updated content that reflects latest guidelines and recently licensed drugs. This textbook is an essential companion for nursing, midwifery students and other healthcare professions, as well as those on post-registration courses, studying to become independent prescribers.