By the time you reach Pharmacology II — also written as Pharmacology 2 — in B Pharma 5th semester, you are no longer just learning what drugs do in abstract. You are learning the pharmacology of the diseases that kill the most Indians every year — heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, diabetes, inflammation, and coagulation disorders. Every drug class in this subject has a direct clinical application you will encounter in hospital pharmacy, clinical research, or the pharmaceutical industry.
These Pharmacology 2 notes are prepared as per the PCI-approved B Pharma 5th semester syllabus 2025–26, structured unit-wise from cardiovascular system drugs through autacoids, NSAIDs, endocrine pharmacology, and bioassay. Each unit download has a clear topic summary. Pharmacology II is one of the highest GPAT-weightage subjects — cardiovascular drug mechanisms, NSAIDs classification, autacoid pharmacology, insulin and oral hypoglycemic drug classes, and bioassay principles are tested in virtually every GPAT paper. These notes serve university exam and GPAT preparation equally.
Download Pharmacology II Notes PDF – Unit Wise
Click below to download free PDFs for each unit:
Course Units
Unit 1: Cardiovascular System Pharmacology (I)
Topics Covered: Cardiac hemodynamics and electrophysiology along with drugs used in heart failure, hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and hyperlipidemia.
Unit 2: Cardiovascular & Urinary System Pharmacology
Topics Covered: Includes pharmacological management of shock, blood disorders, coagulation and fibrinolysis, plasma expanders, and drugs acting on the urinary system such as diuretics and antidiuretics.
Unit 3: Autacoids, NSAIDs & Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Topics Covered: Focuses on the classification and actions of autacoids, histamine and serotonin antagonists, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, NSAIDs, anti-gout, and antirheumatic drugs.
Unit 4: Endocrine System Pharmacology (I)
Topics Covered: The basic principles of endocrine pharmacology and drugs affecting pituitary, thyroid, calcium-regulating hormones, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, glucagon, ACTH, and corticosteroids.
Unit 5: Endocrine Pharmacology (II) & Bioassay
Topics Covered: Includes sex hormones, oral contraceptives, uterine drugs, and the principles, types, and applications of bioassay with emphasis on standard bioassays of important drugs.
What is Pharmacology – II?
Pharmacology – II is an important branch of pharmaceutical science that focuses on how drugs act on major body systems and how they are used to treat various diseases. This subject builds on basic pharmacology concepts and helps students understand the therapeutic applications, mechanisms, and effects of different classes of medicines.
It provides a deeper insight into the relationship between drugs, body functions, and disease management, which is essential for every pharmacy student.
These notes will help you understand topics like:
- Drugs Acting on the Autonomic Nervous System
Study of medicines that influence sympathetic and parasympathetic responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glandular secretion. - Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Drugs used in hypertension, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias, along with their mechanisms of action. - Renal System and Diuretics
Medicines that increase urine output and help manage edema, hypertension, and kidney-related disorders. - Respiratory Pharmacology
Drugs used in asthma, cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergic respiratory conditions. - Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
Medicines used for ulcers, acidity, vomiting, constipation, and other digestive disorders. - Endocrine Pharmacology
Study of hormones and drugs used in diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other endocrine diseases. - Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases
Antibiotics and antimicrobial agents used to treat bacterial and other infections. - Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Uses
Understanding side effects, precautions, contraindications, and clinical applications of important drugs.
This subject helps you develop a clinical understanding of medicines and their uses, preparing you for future studies in therapeutics, patient care, and pharmacy practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the difference between Pharmacology I and Pharmacology II in B Pharma?
Pharmacology I (Sem 4) covers general pharmacology principles, autonomic nervous system drugs, analgesics, sedatives, and anti-inflammatory basics. Pharmacology II (Sem 5) advances to cardiovascular system drugs, endocrine pharmacology, diuretics, anticoagulants, autacoids, NSAIDs, and bioassay — applying pharmacological principles to specific disease management.
Q2. What is bioassay and why is it included in Pharmacology II?
Bioassay is the measurement of the potency or biological activity of a substance by testing it on a living organism or biological tissue. It is included in Pharmacology II because it was historically the primary method for standardising drugs like insulin, heparin, and oxytocin before chemical assay methods existed. Types include graded bioassay and quantal bioassay. Covered in Unit 5 with standard bioassay examples.
Q3. Which Pharmacology II topics appear most in GPAT?
The highest-yield GPAT topics from Pharmacology II are: antihypertensive drug classification and mechanisms, diuretic classification and site of action, NSAIDs and COX inhibition, autacoid pharmacology (histamine, serotonin, prostaglandins), anticoagulant mechanisms (heparin vs warfarin), insulin and oral hypoglycemic drug classes, and bioassay types and examples.
Q4. Is Pharmacology II difficult in B Pharma 5th semester?
Pharmacology II covers a large number of drug classes and mechanisms, which can feel overwhelming at first. The best approach is to group drugs by their mechanism of action and learn one drug class at a time — rather than memorising individual drug names in isolation. The unit structure of these notes is designed to help you do exactly that.