19. Pharmacology - Drug Types Flashcards
Antacids: brand names
Gaviscon
Mucogel
Antacids: indications
Dyspepsia
Antacids: mechanism
Neutralise stomach acid (alkaline)
Antacids: adverse effects
Overuse of antacids - acid rebound indigestion
Reduced absorption of nutrients from food
Bloating - carbonate produces CO2
Reduced GIT immune defence
Antacids: alternatives
Diet and lifestyle changes, water, potato
juice, aloe vera, liquorice, slippery elm,
bicarbonate soda and water (short-term), avoid caffeine, manage stress, herbs, non-acidic forms of supplements; e.g. vitamin C.
H2-Receptor Antagonists: brand name
H for histamine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
H2-Receptor Antagonists: indications
Ulcer healing
GORD
H2-Receptor Antagonists: mechanism
Used to block the action of histamine on parietal cells in the stomach, decreasing the production of acid by these cells
H2-Receptor Antagonists: adverse effects
Liver and/or kidney-impaired patients - drugs can compromise detoxification pathways Headaches Diarrhoea Rashes Fatigue
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): brand names
Proton = hydrogen
Omeprazole
Lansoprazole
(-zole)
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): indications
GORD
Peptic ulcers
Preventing NSAID-associated ulceration
Eradicate helicobacter with antibiotics
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): mechanism
Blocks the proton pumps (hydrogen pumps) in the gastric lining thus reducing stomach acidity
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): contraindications
Liver disease
Pregnancy
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): adverse effects
Gastric cancer (masking symptoms) Constipation Abdominal pain Headaches Dizziness Anaemia (HCI converts iron to soluble form)
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): alternatives
Water, slippery elm, aloe vera, less stress, diet changes (i.e. less caffeine), herbs.
Cabbage juice (Substance U, glutamine)
Antispasmodics: brand name
Buscopan (Hyoscine)
Antispasmodics: mechanism
Inhibit intestinal smooth muscle depolarisation by blocking acetylcholine receptors (anti-cholinergic)
Reduces peristalsis
Antispasmodics: adverse effects
Constipation
Palpitations
Reduced bronchial secretions
Urinary retention
Antispasmodics: alternatives
Magnesium, herbs — antispasmodics, homeopathy, acupuncture, tissue salts, ginger root, peppermint oil; e.g. BioCare’s Peppermint Complex.
Anti-Motility Drugs: brand names
Codeine phosphate
Loperamide (Imodium)
Anti-Motility Drugs: indications
Uncomplicated, acute diarrhoea in adults
Anti-Motility Drugs: mechanism
Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the intestinal muscles, which reduces peristalsis
Anti-Motility Drugs: contraindications
Do not use if diarrhoea cause is infectious e.g. dysentery
Anti-Motility Drugs: adverse effects
Nausea
Constipation
Drowsiness
Anti-Motility Drugs: cautions
In dehydration, fluid/electrolyte replacement is the primary concern
Reduced peristalsis = more time for electrolytes and fluid to be re-absorbed
Anti-Motility Drugs: alternatives
Probiotics, tannin, charcoal, clay, apple pectin to bind the stool.
Pysllium husk, flaxseed
Corticosteroids: brand names
Prednisolone
Hydrocortisone
Corticosteroids: indications
Inflammatory condition e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases (RA, lupus, MS)
Topically for eczema
Corticosteroids: mechanism
Switches off multiple inflammatory genes - cytokines, inflammatory mediators etc
Corticosteroids: adverse effects
Suppress immunity Oral thrush Indigestion Insomnia Mood changes (aggressive, irritable) Thinning of skin Osteoporosis* Cataracts Glaucoma Diabetes mellitus
*suppression of osteoblasts
Corticosteroids: cautions
If stopped suddenly = adrenal cortical insufficiency
In excess = Cushing’s
Laxative - Bulk-Forming: brand names
Fybogel
Normacol
Laxative - Bulk-Forming: mechanism
Increase faecal mass to stimulate peristalsis
Laxative - Bulk-Forming: administration
Must be taken with water
Laxative - Stimulant: brand names
Senna
Senokot
Laxative - Stimulant: mechanism
Irritate intestinal lining and promote histamine release, increasing intestinal motility
Laxative - Stimulant: adverse effects
May cause diarrhoea
Flatulence
Hypokalaemia
Laxative - Stimulant: cautions
Short term use only
Address cause
Senna can irritate the colon and long-term use has been linked to colon cancer
Laxative - Osmotic: brand names
Lactulose
Magnesium salts
Laxative - Osmotic: mechanism
Contains sodium ions which attract water into colon by drawing fluid from the body or retaining fluid
Laxative - Osmotic: adverse effects
Colic
Lazy bowel
Laxative - Osmotic: cautions
Magnesium salts are often abused and may cause dehydration
Cardiac Glycosides: brand names
Digoxin
Lanoxin
Cardiac Glycosides: indications
Atrial fibrillation
Heart failure
Also increases GFR
Cardiac Glycosides: mechanism
Increase myocardium force of contraction by increasing Ca influx into the heart muscle (reduces heart rate, increases force)
Cardiac Glycosides: interactions
Ca - agonistic - increases effect
Cardiac Glycosides: adverse effects
NVD
Anorexia
Abdominal pain
Visual disturbances
Cardiac Glycosides: cautions
Low Mg, Ca, K increases toxicity
Cardiac Glycosides: alternatives
Hawthorne
EFAs
Mg, K, Ca (heart foods)
Calcium Channel Blockers: brand name
Amlodipine
Calcium Channel Blockers: indications
Angina
Hypertension
Calcium Channel Blockers: mechanism
Blocks influx of calcium to heart and vascular smooth muscle
Dual effect - heart contraction force is reduced and coronary artery/peripheral arterioles dilate (lowers BP)
Calcium Channel Blockers: adverse effects
NVD Dizziness Headaches Fatigue Oedema
Diuretics: brand names
Furosemide
Bendroflumethiazide
Diuretics: indications
Hypertension Pulmonary oedema Chronic heart failure General oedema Kidney/liver diseases
Diuretics: mechanism
Reduces reuptake of primary filtrate from different regions of the nephron = decreases blood volume and pressure
Diuretics: adverse effects
Mineral loss - hypokalaemia (weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, palpitations, hallucinations)
Diuretics: alternatives
Celery, asparagus, dandelion
Beta Blockers: brand name
Atenolol
-ol
Beta Blockers: indications
Hypertension
Angina
Arrhythmia
Atrial fibrillation
Beta Blockers: mechanism
Cardio-selective - targets beta-1 receptors only
Blocks the action of beta receptors mostly in the myocardium - antagonise sympathetic nervous system
Lowers HR/BP
Causes vasodilation
Beta Blockers: adverse effects
Fatigue Sexual dysfunction Cold extremities Hypotension Sleep disturbance Psoriasis exacerbation
Beta Blockers: caution
May weaken heart in long term
ACE Inhibitors: brand name
Ramipril
Angiotensin II Antagonists: brand names
Losartan
Irbesartan
ACE Inhibitors: mechanism
Stops the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II - a vasoconstrictor
Angiotensin II Antagonists: mechanism
Blocks receptors stopping the action of angiotensin II