Drug Monographs

Question 1

What is the MOA for Acetylsalicylic acid?

Answer 1

ASA inhibits the formation of thromboxane A2 which is a potent platelet aggregator and vasoconstrictor.

This effects platelets for their life (7-10 days)

Question 2

What is the MOA for acetaminophen?

Answer 2

Tylenol inhibits prostaglandin synthetase in the CNS reducing pain and pyrexia.

Question 3

What is the MOA for Adenosine?

Answer 3

Adenosine slows the conduction of electrical impulses via AV nodal blockade.

Question 4

What is the MOA and class of Amioderone?

Answer 4

Amioderone is a class 3 anti-arrhythmic. However it has characteristics of all four VW classes.

Amio blocks sodium channels in the heart, and blocks beta adrenoreceptors to decrease sympathetic activity. It also produces negative chronotropic effects in nodal tissues and lengthens cardiac action potential. In addition it also blocks potassium channels which slows conduction and prolongs refractory stage.

Question 5

What is the MOA for atropine?

Answer 5

Atropine antagonizes acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, producing parasympathetic and vagolytic affects.

Question 6

What is the MOA for Gravol?

Answer 6

It is an anti-cholinergic that inhibits cholinergic vestibular and reticular stimulation from motion.

Question 7

What is the MOA for Benadryl

Answer 7

Benadryl is an antihistamine with anticholinergic sedating properties. It appears to compete with histamine for receptors on effector cells.

Question 8

What is the MOA for Epinephrine?

Answer 8

Epi, acts on alpha, and beta adrenergic receptors. also inhibits histamine release.

Question 9

What is the MOA for Fentanyl?

Answer 9

Fentanyl inhibits ascending pain pathways in the CNS, altering the perception of pain by binding to opiate receptors= analgesia and euphoria.

Question 10

What is the MOA for Glucagon

Answer 10

Glucagon relies on glycogen stores. It accelerates the converse of glycogen to glucose through the liver.

Question 11

What is the MOA for Ibuprofen?

Answer 11

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, reduces pain, inflammation and pyrexia.

Question 12

What is the MOA for Ketamine?

Answer 12

Ketamine is a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that blocks glutamate.

Question 13

What is the MOA for Lidocaine

Answer 13

Lidocaine is a class 1b, sodium channel blocker. It decreased the duration of action potential by shortening the repolarization phase.

Question 14

What is the MOA for Midazolam?

Answer 14

Midazolam intensifies the activity of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

The action results in hyper polarization of neuronal cells which produces a longer threshold to reach depolarization. It increases the seizure threshold.

Question 15

What is the MOA for Morphine?

Answer 15

Morphine acts on opioid receptors (mu) in the CNS to produce analgesia, euphoria and sedation.

Question 16

What is the MOA for Naloxone

Answer 16

Competitively antagonizes opioids bound to receptors in the CNS.

Question 17

What is the MOA for Nitroglycerin

Answer 17

Nitro relaxes smooth muscles in vasculature by producing cyclic GMP. It primarily works as a venodilator but can also produce coronary and systemic arterial vasodilation resulting in decreased preload and lowering MVO2.

Question 18

What is the MOA for Phenylephrine?

Answer 18

Phenyl is a sympathomimetic that agonizes alpha-adrenergic receptors producing arterial vasoconstriction.

Question 19

What is the MOA for sodium bicarbonate?

Answer 19

Bicarb buffers and neutralizes excess acid specifically hydrogen ions raising overall PH. however in doing this CO2 levels rise, which may result in paradoxical worsening acidosis.

Question 20

What is the MOA for salbutamol

Answer 20

Salbutamol is a selective beta2 adrenergic agonist that produces bronchodilation and some degree of vasodilation.

High doses may result in beta 1 effects.