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NCS Prep > 15 Pharmacology > Flashcards

15 Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

Drug agonist vs antagonist

A

Agonist- mimics naturally occurring substance to stimulate a specific receptor
Antagonist- binds to a receptor without activating it to block other potential substances from activating it

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2
Q

Therapeutic index

A

Toxic dose in 50% of subjects divided by effective dose in 50% of subjects
Higher numbers is safer

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3
Q

Enteral route of administration

A

Oral
Sublingual
Buccal
Rectal

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4
Q

Parenteral route of administration

A 
Intravenous
Intramuscular
Transdermal
Intrathecal
Epidural
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5
Q

Topical route of administration

A

Creams
Ear/eye drops
Nasal sprays
Inhalers

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6
Q

Drug clearance

A

Volume of plasma from which a drug is eliminated per unit time

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7
Q

Half life

A

Time required to reduce plasma drug concentration by 50%

Usually takes 5 to be eliminated

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8
Q

Patients with decreased metabolism will have…

A

Decreased clearance
Increased half life
Increased plasma concentration

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9
Q

Most CNS medications…

A

Modify synaptic transmission

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10
Q

Anti-psychotics action

A

Inhibit dopamine transmission

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11
Q

First generation anti-psychotics

A

Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Perphenazine
Fluphenazine

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12
Q

Second generation anti-psychotics treat…

A

Both depressive and manic states

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13
Q

Adverse effects of anti-psychotics

A 
Rigidity, tremors, muscle spasms
Long-term use = tardive dyskinesia
Orthostatic hypotension
Change in weight, glucose levels, lipid levels (second generation)
Dizziness
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14
Q

Types of sedatives/hypnotics

A

Benzodiazepines
Non-benzodiazepines
Dexmedetomidine (Precedex)

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15
Q

Benzodiazepines

A

Treat anxiety, seizures, spasticity, anesthesia
Binds to GABA receptors- inhibit neuronal firing
End in -am
Estazolam
Flurazepam
Quazepam
Clonazepam

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16
Q

Barbituates

A 
Non-benzodiazepines
Promote sleep, general anesthetic
Bind to GABA receptors
Highly addictive, small TI
End in -al
Amobarbital
Phenobarbital
Pentobarbital
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17
Q

Non-benzodiazepine meds

A 
Bind to GABA to decrease arousal and increase sleepiness
Shorter duration and half-life
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
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18
Q

Dexmedetomidine (Precedex)

A

Sedative in ICU to control anxiety, agitation
Binds to alpha-2 receptor to decrease sympathetic response
May cause bradycardia or hypotension

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19
Q

Most common causes of epilepsy

A

Teens and adults- head trauma

Over 65 y/o- CVD

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20
Q

Partial seizure, simple

A

Focal areas of brain

Motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychological symptoms without obvious change in consciousness

21
Q

Partial seizure, complex

A

Focal seizure activity with impaired consciousness

22
Q

Generalized seizure, simple

A

Both hemispheres

Brief LOC without any other clinical signs

23
Q

Generalized seizure, complex

A

LOC with notable clinical signs

24
Q

Generalized seizure, absence

A

Brief lapses without loss of postural control

25
Generalized seizure, tonic-clonic
LOC with violent muscle contractions
26
Unclassified seizures
Usually in immature brains
27
First-line meds for partial seizures
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Phenytoin (Dilantin) Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) Valproic acid (Valproate)
28
First-line meds for generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Valproic acid (Valproate) Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Topiramate (Topamax)
29
Seizure meds action and side effects
``` Blockage of voltage-gated sodium channels Nausea Dizziness Poor coordination Drowsiness/sleepiness Diplopia ```
30
Other meds for seizures
Calcium channel blockade | Increases GABA concentrations in brain
31
Neurostimulant actions
Increase synaptic concentration of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in various areas of brain Increases neuronal sprouting and synpatogenesis Increase synaptic efficiency by facilitating long-term potentiation
32
Neurostimulant meds
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Amphetamines Dopamine agonists
33
Spasticity pros
Prevent muscle atrophy Decrease edema Prevents DVT Decreases osteoporosis
34
Spasticity cons
Interferes with functional mobility Painful spasms Impairs sleep Causes fractures or pressure injuries
35
Tizanidine
Centrally acting alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, decreases polysnaptic reflex activity Used in marked muscle weakness Side effects- hypotension, elevated liver enzymes, sedation, hallucinations
36
Baclofen
Acts centrally, binds to GABA receptors and inhibits spinal reflexes Used when muscle weakness not severe Side effects- sedation, muscle weakness, confusion, dyskinesia, hallucinations
37
Diazepam
Centrally acting, inhibits GABA receptors and pre/post-synaptic reflexes Is a benzodiazepine Used with painful night spasms Side effects- sedation, habituation
38
Dantroline sodium
Acts on skeletal muscle, prevents release of calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum Severe spasms and spinal cord lesions Side effects- weakness, diarrhea, hepatotoxicity
39
Clonidine
Decreases polysynaptic reflex activity Used with spasticity associated with uncontrolled HTN Side effects- orthostatic hypotension
40
Gabapentin
Similar structure to GABA, mechanism unknown Used in MS and SCI Side effects- sedation, confusion, fatigue, weight gain
41
Intrathecal baclofen
Lower doses with decreased side effects | Side effects- orthostatic hypotension, CSF leakage, sedation, loss of penile erection, local infection, pump malfunction
42
Botox injection
Acts on neuromuscular junction by inhibiting release of acetylcholine at pre-synaptic terminal Results for 2-6 months
43
Meds for vestibular impairment
Sedatives- meclizine (Antivert) Anti-emetics- ondansetron (Zofran) Benzodiazepine- Diazepam (Valium)
44
MS relapse/exacerbation meds
Corticosteroids (IV or oral) to decrease inflammatory response
45
MS disease-modifying meds
Down-regulates immune response Mimics myelin proteins to attract immune system and suppress response Inhibits inflammatory cells Alters lymphocytes in lymph nodes
46
Parkinson's disease meds
``` Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)- gold standard Dopamine agonists COMT inhibitors MAO type-B inhibitors Anticholinergics Amantadine ```
47
Huntington's disease meds
Tetrabenazine- suppresses chorea | Other meds that treat PD, epilepsy, panic/psychotic disorders to assist with managing abnormal movements
48
ALS meds
Riluzole- only approved med
49
Risks of long-term corticosteroid use
``` Increased infection risk Muscle weakness Eye problems Falls risk Osteoporosis ```

NCS Prep (19 decks)

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