Posted: August 10th, 2015

Topic: COMPARE and CONTRAST Pharmacology

Topic: COMPARE and CONTRAST Pharmacology

This assignment is in essay format with the word count limited to 1500 words. The word count does not include the essay title and reference list.
The assignment requires you COMPARE and CONTRAST the similarities and differences between the drugs with respect to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for ibuprofen/paracetamol (oral).
Use the non-proprietary (non-commercial) names for the drug pair throughout the essay. The drug delivery route is shown in brackets. Apply resources such as journal articles, medical and scientific text books, and scientific web based resources (e.g. NIH website, American Heart Association website) to support your essay content. DO NOT use commercial non-government websites.
The essay assignment will comprise;

1. A brief descriptive single short sentence title of approximately 10 words (see marking rubric for criteria);
2. Introduce both drugs and specify their actions and indications in a single paragraph;
3. The pharmacokinetics of each drug by comparing and contrasting the following;
a. Brief administration route of the drugs and then detail how the drugs are absorbed
b. Bioavailability and half-life of the drugs
c. Distribution of the drugs in the body
d. Metabolism of the drugs
e. Excretion of the drugs
4. Detail and compare the pharmocodynamics of the drugs. Include the following information:
a. Compare/Contrast the mechanism of action of the drugs. If this is currently unknown, what is it thought to be?
b. Explain how the mechanism of action of the drug is related to the side effects & potential adverse events.
This assignment is designed to develop your ability to identify and communicate scientific details in a concise written format, using appropriate citation and reference page. The word limit is a maximum and markers are not required to read beyond the set word limit. This is in essay format and subheadings, dot points, figures and tables are NOT to be used. Remember that you are required to compare and contrast the characteristics of the drugs not just list the characteristics of each. The assignment should be written in a fluent and economical sentence structure in paragraph format and include correctly formatted citation and reference page according to APA referencing style. A copy of the APA Referencing guide is available in the Interact site and the citation and reference list formatting must rigidly adhere to this style (Marks will be deducted for incorrect formatting). The reference list page (in APA format) should follow the main section and would not be expected to contain more than 6 references including at least one recent journal article relevant to the topic.
The purpose of this assessment item is to allow students to explore in greater detail important subject content areas.
This assessment item assesses the following learning outcomes provided in this subject outline (p.3):
* define common pharmacological terms;
* describe the four pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination);

Marking criteria
Marking criteria (total /20)
Professional Knowledge: 16 marks given for the descriptive title, the introduction, comparison of the drug pairs with respect to their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics & side effects.

Academic Writing Conventions: This assignment is in the format of an essay style. 4 marks given for correct grammar/spelling, use of appropriate citation and references in APA format, use of appropriate scientific language and writing style. Please note that this is a bioscience assignment and extensive discussion of clinical care is not appropriate.
Presentation
All written assignments in this subject must show the following presentation standards:
• 1½ line spacing and left-justified only
• Times New Roman 12-point font
• Paragraph format of approximately 4-8 sentences
• Pages must be numbered and your name &/or student number appear in the footer of each page
• Pages should be set to A4
• Minimum of 2 cm margins around the text
• Proof-read your work before submission – your work should be free of grammatical, spelling and typographical errors
• Reference list must be in APA format
Students have access to TURNITIN in order to self-check their work for similarity to other authors. It is highly recommended to all students make use of this facility.
Requirements
Include a word count below the reference list. The word count is from start of first paragraph to end of final paragraph.
——————-Marking guide———————–
Title is concise and detailed. A simple short sentence that includes the drugs, drug classes. Clearly informs the reader of the content of the assignment.
Information flows in a proficient and logical format.
Succinct and detailed comparison of the chosen drugs that shows depth of knowledge in how the drugs are used to treat disease. Substantial integration of the drug class(es) and basic drug mechanisms.

Succinct introduction to the drugs. Detailed description of the pharmacokinetics including how factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination are linked to the choice of delivery method(s), the bioavailability and half-life.
Substantial integration of pharmacokinetic factors evident with strong links made between these factors.

Detailed and concise comparison of how the drugs manifest effects on the body.
Clearly describes and links how the drug mechanism may manifest side effects or adverse events.