BLOCK 15

Question 1

what type of drug is allopurinol?

Answer 1

a xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Question 2

what are the indications of allopurinol?

Answer 2

prevention of gout and renal calculi

treats uric acid nephorpathy, hyperuricaemia and some solid tumours

Question 3

whats the moa of allopurinol?

Answer 3

inhibits xanthine oxidase which prevents conversion of oxypurines hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid

Question 4

what type of drug is diphenoxylate?

Answer 4

an antidiarrhoeal

Question 5

what is diphenoxylates indication?

Answer 5

diarrhoea

Question 6

what is diphenoxylates moa?

Answer 6

its rapidly metabolised to diphenoxylic acid which is an opiate receptor agonist that stimulates mu receptors in the GI tract
This decreases peristalsis, constructs sphincters, enhances segmentation and prolonged GI transit time

Question 7

what type of drug is loperamide?

Answer 7

an antidiarrhoeal

Question 8

what are the indications of loperamide?

Answer 8

controlling and symptomatic relief od acute nonspecific diarrhoea and of chronic diarrhoea associated with inflammatory bowel disease

Question 9

what is loperamide moa?

Answer 9

its a non-selective calcium channel blocker which also binds to opioid mu receptor in the myenteric plexus.

Question 10

what type of drug is kaolin?

Answer 10

an antidiarrhoeal

Question 11

what is kaolins moa?

Answer 11

its a form of aluminium silicate that is effective at absorbing water, toxins and bacteria
this increases the firmness of the stool

Question 12

what type of drug is isphagula husk?

Answer 12

a bulk forming laxative

Question 13

what is isphagula husks moa?

Answer 13

it cannot be broken down in the gut so acts to add bulk to the stool. it can also absorb excess water which increases peristalsis and alleviates constipation

Question 14

what type of drug is lactulose?

Answer 14

an osmotic laxative

Question 15

what is the moa of lactulose?

Answer 15

its a synthetic sugar which is brown down to lactic acid by colonic bacteria
this results in an increase in osmotic pressure and slight acidification of the colonic contents causing an increase in stool water content, softening the stool

Question 16

what type of drug is octreotide?

Answer 16

an anti diarrhoeal

Question 17

what is octreotides moa?

Answer 17

it binds to somatostatin receptors and can lead to adenyl cyclase inhibition.

Question 18

what has octreotide been used to treat?

Answer 18

diarrhoea associated with metastatic carcinoid tumours and vasoactive intestinal peptide secreting adenomas

Question 19

what type of drug is bisacodyl?

Answer 19

a stimulant laxative

Question 20

what is bisacodyl used for?

Answer 20

to clean the colon for example prior to a colonoscopy

Question 21

what is bisocodyles moa?

Answer 21

its hydrolysed by intestinal brush border enzymes and colonic bacteria
this forms an active metabolite that acts directly on the colonic mucosa to produce colonic peristalsis

Question 22

what type of drug is docusate sodium?

Answer 22

a stimulant/detergent laxative

Question 23

what is docusate sodium used for?

Answer 23

the first method to help relieve occasional constipation

can also be used to help prevent straining to have a bowel movement in patients who have had an MI or surgery

Question 24

what is docusate sodiums proposed action?

Answer 24

to lower the surface tension of the stool to permit water and lipids to enter more rapidly and soften the faeces

Question 25

what are some examples of glucocorticoids nuclear hormone receptor agonists?

Answer 25

hydrocortisone
betamethasone
beclomethasone

Question 26

what is an example of a mineralocorticoids nuclear hormone receptor agonist?

Answer 26

fludrocortisone

Question 27

what is fludrocortisones indications?

Answer 27

partial replacement therapy for primary and secondary adrenocortical insufficiency in Addisons disease
treatment of salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome

Question 28

what are some indications of hydrocortisone?

Answer 28

thyrotoxic crisis
adrenocortical insfufiency
acute hypersensitivity reactions
corticosteroid replacement
adrenal crisis
severe IBD
mild inflammatory skin disorders e.g. eczema, nappy rash
severe acute asthma

Question 29

what are some indications for betamethasone?

Answer 29

short term treatment of inflamamtion
severe ifnalmamtory skin disorders
given to mothers suspected to have preterm babies to help foetal lung development

Question 30

what are some indications for beclometasone?

Answer 30

prophylaxis of asthma
allergic rhinitis
severe inflammatory skin disorders