Vitamins and Nutritional Haemopoietic Agents

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. classify vitamins and discuss health conditions that warrant use of vitamin supplements for patients; 2. list the cellular components of blood; 3. explain the mechanism of action, adverse effects and contraindications of vitamins/dietary supplements used in the treatment of haematological disorders; and 4. explain the pharmacology of anticoagulants, antiplatelet and thrombolytic agents.

Water Soluble Vitamins. Fat soluble Vitamins. Anaemias. Drugs used in the treatment of different types (megaloblastic and Pernicious) of anaemia. Anti-coagulants Antithrombotic and Thrombotic Agents. Management of haemorrhage. Practical: Bleeding and Coagulation times, blood composition (Cell Numbers and plasma volume), the effect of heparin on coagulation time will be assessed, fibrin clot formation and dissolution.