Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-arthritis, and Related Drugs Flashcards
What is an analgesic?
a compound with pain-blocking properties, capable of producing analgesia (the inability to feel pain)
What are anti-inflammatory agents?
drugs that block the effects of the inflammatory response
What is a antipyretic?
blocks fever
often by direct effects on the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus or by blockade of prostaglandin mediators
What is chrysotherapy?
treatment with gold salts
Gold is taken up by macrophages, which then inhibit phagocytosis
Chrysotherapy is reserved for use in patients who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, and can be very toxic
What is the inflammatory response?
the body’s nonspecific response to cell injury, resulting in pain, swelling, heat, and redness in the affected area
What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
drugs that block prostaglandin synthesis and act as anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic agents
What are salicylates?
salicylic acid compounds, used as anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic agents
they block the prostaglandin system
What is salicylism?
a syndrome associated with high levels of salicylates
causes dizziness, ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mental confusion, and lassitude
What is the pathophysiology of the inflammatory response?
Injury leads to
Initially, vasoconstriction to prevent blood loss
Then, vasodilation to bring blood, nutrients, and immune cells to the cite to promote healing
Why is it so easy for patients to overdose on anti-inflammatory agents?
B/c there are many OTC meds with a variety of names and patients do not read the ingredient labels before taking the drugs.
What are the first choice for children taking NSAIDs?
Children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Can we use salicylates with children? Why or why not?
No, b/c of the risk for Reye Syndrome
What should we teach pregnant or lactating women about taking anti-inflammatories and anti-arthritics?
Salicylates, NSAIDs, and Gold cause severe ADEs for the neonate and the mother
What considerations do we need to make for older adults taking anti-inflammatories and anti-arthritics?
Older adults are more susceptible to ADEs
Dose adjustments may be needed b/c of renal-hepatic changes d/t aging
Gold salts are toxic for older adults, so lower the dose and monitor the patient very closely
What are the s/sx of salicylism (overdose of aspirin)?
Dizziness Tinnitus Difficulty hearing N/V/D Mental confusion Lassitude
