Book excerpt: This new book from The Secrets Series covers not only mechanisms of action, uses, and pharmacokinetics of all major drugs and new arrivals, it also includes a clear explanation of the physiology and biochemistry behind the concepts-and it relates this material to clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. Perfect for the current pharmacology curriculum and practical enough for everyday clinical use. Excellent quick refresher for practitioners and nurses Presents coverage of major drugs as well as new arrivals Geared toward use in pharmacology courses Appendix discusses areas in pharmacology that are difficult for students (e.g., cardiac action potential) Concise answers that include the author's pearls, tips, memory aids, and "secrets" Bulleted lists, algorithms, and illustrations for quick review 50 succinct chapters written by experts their fields All the most important "need-to-know" questions and answers in the proven format of the highly acclaimed Secrets Series(R) Thorough, highly detailed index