Drug Pharmacology Flashcards
(31 cards)
Adrenaline
Drug class:
Sympathomimetic
Pharmacology:
Adrenaline is a naturally occurring catecholamine which primarily acts on Alpha and Beta adrenergic receptors. The actions of those receptors cause an increase in heart rate, increase in the force of myocardial contraction, increase in the irritability of the ventricles, bronchodilation, and peripheral vasoconstriction.
Metabolism:
The majority of circulating adrenaline is metabolised by sympathetic nerve endings. It is subject to the process of mitochondrial enzymatic breakdown by monoamine oxidase at the synaptic level.
Amiodarone
Drug class:
Anti-arrhythmic
Pharmacology:
Amiodarone prolongs the duration of the action potential and therefore the refractory period of atrial, nodal and ventricular tissues. It also reduces conduction across all cardiac tissue – including myocardial and conducting system cells. Amiodarone demonstrates electrophysiological proprieties across all Vaughan-Williams Class groups, which enables a broad spectrum of activity.
Metabolism:
The majority of Amiodarone is excreted via the liver and GI tract by biliary excretion; there may be some hepatic recirculation.
Aspirin
Drug class:
Antiplatelet
Pharmacology:
Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation by irreversibly inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase, reducing the synthesis of thromboxane A2 (an inducer of platelet aggregation) for the life of the platelet. This action forms the basis of preventing platelets from aggregating to exposed collagen fibres at the site of vascular injury.
Metabolism:
Aspirin is converted to salicyclic acid in many tissues, but primarily in the GI mucosa and liver. It is subsequently excreted by the kidneys.
Atropine
Drug class:
Antichlolinergic (antimuscarinic)
Pharmacology:
Atropine works by inhibiting the action of the parasympathetic nervous system allowing for an unchallenged sympathetic response. It successfully blocks the action of the vagus nerve of the heart, increases the rate of the SA node, conduction through the AV node and blocks exocrine gland activity.
Metabolism:
Atropine is metabolised by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidneys.
Calcium Gluconate 10%
Drug class:
Electrolyte
Pharmacology:
Calcium plays an integral role in the muscular and neural systems. It is involved in skeletal muscle contraction, excitation coupling in cardiac and smooth muscle and acts as an intracellular 2nd messenger. These effects combine to exert a positive inotropic effect in the post cardiac arrest patient. It additionally has a role in cardiac membrane stabilisation in hyperkalaemia.
Metabolism:
Most of the calcium filtered by the renal glomeruli is reabsorbed; the remainder is excreted in faeces.
Ceftriaxone
Drug class:
Antibiotic
Pharmacology:
Ceftriaxone is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a bactericidal action.
Metabolism:
Ceftriaxone is excreted as a variety of active and inactive metabolites from the body through urine, bile and faeces.
Fentanyl
Drug class:
Narcotic analgesic
Pharmacology:
Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system by binding with the opioid receptors.
Metabolism:
Hepatic metabolism and renal excretion
Frusemide
Drug class:
Loop diuretic
Pharmacology:
Frusemide is a potent loop diuretic that acts by inhibiting sodium and chloride absorption in the ascending Loop of Henle (proximal and distal tubules).
Metabolism:
The majority of parenteral Frusemide is excreted in the urine within 24 hours; the remainder is excreted in the faeces.
Gastrolyte
Drug class:
Rehydration electrolyte
Pharmacology:
Gastrolyte contains a balanced amount of electrolytes, starch and proteins in water. Oral hydration therapy with Gastrolyte enables a patient to be rehydrated rapidly. The presence of pre-cooked rice in the formulation enables watery stools to return to normal more rapidly. Contains Phenylalanine (aspartame).
Metabolism:
Gastrolyte
Glucagon
Drug class:
Hyperglycaemic
Pharmacology:
Glucagon is a hyperglycaemic agent that mobilises hepatic glycogen, which is released into the blood as glucose.
Metabolism:
Glucagon is metabolised by the liver, kidneys and in the plasma.
Glucose 5%
Drug class:
Pharmacological dilutant
Pharmacology:
Glucose is a sugar that is the principal energy source for body cells, especially the brain.
Metabolism:
Broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water.
Glucose 10%
Drug class:
Hyperglycaemic
Pharmacology:
Glucose is a sugar that is the principal energy source for body cells, especially the brain.
Metabolism:
Broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water.
Glucose gel
Drug class:
Hyperglycaemic
Pharmacology:
Glucose gel is a form of pure glucose that is absorbed quickly in the intestinal tract after ingestion. It is the principal energy source for body cells especially the brain.
Metabolism:
Glucose is broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water.
Glyceryl Trinitrate
Drug class:
Vasodilator
Pharmacology: Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is a potent vasodilator that decreases preload by increasing venous capacity, pooling venous blood in the peripheral veins, reducing ventricular filling pressure and decreasing arterial blood pressure (after load). Because of this cascade it also causes vasodilation in coronary arteries that are in spasm and may assist the redistribution of blood flow along the collateral channels in the heart.
Metabolism:
GTN is readily absorbed and metabolised by the liver.
Hydrocortisone
Drug class:
Corticosteroid
Pharmacology:
Hydrocortisone is an adrenocortical steroid that produces an anti- inflammatory process. This inhibits the accumulation of inflammatory cells at inflammation sites, phagocytosis, lysosomal enzyme release and synthesis and/or release of mediators of inflammation. Additionally, it prevents and suppresses cell mediated immune reactions.
Metabolism:
Hepatic.
Ipratropium bromide
Drug class:
Anticholinergic agent
Pharmacology:
Ipratropium bromide is an antimuscarinic agent which promotes bronchodilation by inhibiting cholinergic bronchomotor tone.
Metabolism:
Hepatic with excretion by the kidneys.
Ketamine
Drug class:
- Anaesthetic
- Analgesic
Pharmacology:
Ketamine is an anaesthetic agent that acts as a NMDA receptor antagonist. At lower doses this drug produces significant analgesia, whilst the airway reflexes and respiratory drive are preserved. Unlike other general anaesthetics, there is minimal haemodynamic compromise as ketamine acts as a sympathomimetic agent. However this may result in potentially transient tachycardia and hypertension. Ketamine produces a dissociative state and this will cause the patient to potentially have significant issues with perception, resulting in disinhibition or emergence phenomenon.
Metabolism:
Ketamine undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism with approximately 90% of the drug excreted in the urine as metabolites.:
Lignocaine 2%
Drug class:
- Anti-arrhythmic
- Local anaesthetic
Pharmacology:
Lignocaine is a sodium channel blocking agent which stabilises all potentially excitable membranes and prevents the initiation and transmission of nerve impulses. It is for this reason that it is successful in decreasing excitability of the cardiac muscle and conduction velocity through the AV node. Furthermore, it is also used as a local anaesthetic.
Metabolism:
80% metabolised by the liver and the remainder is excreted by the kidneys.
Magnesium sulphate
Drug class:
Electrolyte
Pharmacology:
It is an important cofactor in multiple processes. It causes vasodilation and bronchodilation through inhibition of smooth muscle contraction. Magnesium ions also possess anticonvulsant and anti-dysrrhythmic properties.
Metabolism:
Magnesium is filtered in the kidneys and excreted predominantly in urine with small amounts in faeces and saliva.
Methoxyfluorane
Drug class:
Analgesic (at low doses)
Pharmacology:
Methoxyflurane is an inhalation agent providing analgesia at low concentrations. Methoxyflurane is more susceptible to metabolism than other halogenated ethers and has a greater propensity to diffuse into fatty tissue.
Metabolism:
By the liver and excreted mainly by the lungs
Metoclopramide
Drug class:
Antiemetic
Pharmacology:
Metoclopramide hydrochloride is a dopamine receptor antagonist. It works by inhibiting gastric smooth muscle relaxation, accelerating intestinal transit and gastric emptying. Further, it raises the threshold of chemoreceptor trigger zone in the floor of the fourth ventricle.
Metabolism:
By the liver and excreted by the kidneys
Midazolam
Drug class:
Benzodiazepine
Pharmacology:
Midazolam hydrochloride is a short acting central NS depressant that induces amnesia, anaesthesia, hypnosis and sedation. It achieves this by enhancing the action of inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Depressant effects occur at all levels of the CNS.
Metabolism:
By the liver and excreted by the kidneys
Morphine
Drug class:
Narcotic analgesic
Pharmacology:
Morphine is a narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system by binding with opioid receptors, altering processes affecting pain perception and emotional response to pain. It also combines to cause respiratory depression, decreases in the gag reflex, decreases in the rate of AV node conduction and vasodilation.
Metabolism:
By the liver, kidneys and lungs
Naloxone
Drug class:
Opioid antagonist
Pharmacology:
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that prevents or reverses the effects of opioids including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Naloxone antagonises the opioid effects by competing for the same receptor sites.
Metabolism:
Hepatic.
