David Miller, University of Glasgow

This little known about book is AWESOME. I am not sure what I expected but it really did exceed my expectation once I got stuck into using it. As its name suggests it focuses on all the clinically related pharmacology and puts it into two page spread chapters with lots of diagrams. It wont delve into so much of the pharmacological science as it is solely aimed for clinical application, giving the relevant mechanism of action and any essential pharmacology science. The two page spread chapters are sorted into conditions and diseases and so the relevant drugs, There is an introductory section with the basic pharmacology theory underlying all the pharmokinetics etc you need to know (Fear not its short). Its quite helpful for refreshing yourself quickly as I tend to find its one of those areas that’s always yip of your tongue but you cant quite remember what relation this had to that. I frequently refer to it, as its so accessible, getting what you need and want is easy. I found it particularly helpful for introducing and summarising the pharmacology that pops up in individual PBL’s. So say we had a psychiatry PBL on Depression, simply flick to the two page spread of Antdepressants and it will give a very authorative overview of SSRI’s, TCA’s and a little on the less used MAOI’s. There is generally a summary diagram which is excellent for the visual learners among us as they really do speak a thousand words. After introducing the subject you might like to delve into a little meatier pharmacology text like big Rang, Dale, Ritter or Integrated Pharmacology if relevant but really it definitely covers the basic need to know material. The one downside is the blue black two tone colour of the pages which makes the book look a little dated. While I still recommend having a reference pharmacology test for those times you really need extreme detail- ie doing coursework, this serves as an excellent summary of all clinical pharmacology and is concisely everything you need to know for exams and for being let loose on the wards. Id say it’s a bargain too at £20.

Posted 22nd Aug 2008