Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach

One of the most useful and logical texts on pharmacotherapy available. Explaining the disease process then introducing the drugs gives the reader a structure with which to approach the details of drug therapy and allows extension into structurally-similar drugs that may not be covered.

I didn't have this book during my P3 (3rd year of PharmD school) year; we used the text by Kradjan that had a patient-based format. DePiro's more traditional format makes it easier to find info quickly. The downloadable format of this text (which comes with the book) makes it even faster to find info. A downside would be books like these are out-of-date as soon as they're published, but I've been using the DePiro just fine for my P4 clerkships and plan to use Kradjan's as a doorstop. (I'm not really a kid)

It's difficult to write a review of this book because most of the people who are even thinking of buying it have probably used it already. They have seen it in the library, their professors have shown it to them, or it is required for the course they are taking. So what I am going to do is talk about the differences and updates in this the sixth edition. 1. Icons - Locator Icons are used to allow the reader to quickly locate each important concept within the chapter. 2. Clinical Controversies -- showing that the understansing of drugs isn't perfect, but evolving. 3. Documentation to improve billing and general communications. 4. A chapter on Solid-Organ Transplantation. 5. Expanded coverage of dermatological conditions: Acne Vulgaris, Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis. 6. New chapter on dermatologic drug reactions. Finally the on-line web site devoted to this publication is greatly expanded and enlarged.

The 2005 edition of Pharmacotherapy is one of the best investments I have ever made. It is a valuable tool in mentoring, teaching and precepting pharmacy students. I use the helpful chapter objectives to zero in on key concepts and learning objectives. At the end of each chapter there are short, well-written quiz questions that serve to reinforce important information. The companion website is well structured and easy to navigate. The icing on the cake is the ability to download an e-version of the text on my computer, allowing convenient access to the text at work. (Each textbook has a code and directions good for one down-load). All in all, this is an excellent resource that would be a great reference text for anyone practicing, teaching or studying the profession of pharmacy.

Pharmacotherapy: a pathophysiological approach is a book designed specifically for pharmacists. It covers a wide range of diseases and includes introductory chapters covering different subjects in the pharmacy practice from clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, pharmacoeconomics, evidence-based medicine and much more. Every chapter introduce the pathophysiology of the disease relevant to drug therapy, then the full management plan is evoqued with the clinical use of the different drugs. I recommend to read in parallel `Applied Therapeutics: the clinical use of drug `to see how the management is applied in clinical settings. In second term, one can practice with the cases of the Pharmacotherapy: a patient focused approach before applying to real life cases. I know i will continue to use these books as long as i still phamacist.