Drugs, Mechanisms, and Indications Flashcards
Fluoxetine’s mechanism
Stops 5-HT from going back to the pre-synaptic neuron. Does no effect NE.
Fluoxetine’s indications
Depression, anxiety
Duloxetine’s mechanism
Stops 5-HT and NE from going back to the pre-synaptic neuron.
Duloxetine’s indications
Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain
Bupropion’s mechanism
Stops 5-HT, NE, and dopamine from going back to the pre-synaptic neuron.
Bupropion’s indications
Depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, quit smoking
Chlorpromazine’s mechanism
Blocks dopamine receptors in part of brain related to nausea and staying awake. Sedative effect.
Chlorpromazine’s indications
Schizophrenia, pre-operative anxiety
Clozapine’s mechanism
Blocks dopamine and 5-HT receptors. Depresses the RAS.
Clozapine’s indications
Schizophrenia, nausea, mania
Lithium’s mechanism
Acts like sodium. Prevents release of NE and dopamine.
Lithium’s indications
Bipolar
Levothyroxine’s mechanism
Straight up replaces T4
Levothyroxine’s indication
Hypothyroidism
Methimazole’s mechanism
Inhibits production of TH in thyroid
Methimazole’s indication
Hyperthyroidism
Glyburide’s mechanism
Stimulates beta cells in pancreas to produce/release insulin.
Glyburide’s indication
DM2 only and only if the pt still has functional beta cells.
Metformin’s mechanism
Stimulates cells to take up more glucose.
Metformin’s indication
DM2
Pioglitazone’s mechanism
Decreases insulin resistance.
Pioglitazone’s indication
DM2
Insulin’s mechanism
Replaces insulin.
Insulin’s indications
DM1 and DM2
Glucagon’s mechanism
Converts glycogen to glucose. Increases blood glucose.
Glucagon’s indication
Severe hypoglycemia and possible coma
Dextromethorphan’s mechanism
Blocks cough reflex in CNS and PNS. Depresses cough center in brain. Sedative effect.
Dextromethorphan’s indication
Nonproductive cough
Pseudoephedrine’s mechanism
Decreases blood flow to upper respiratory tract. Decreases secretions by local vasoconstriction of those mucous membranes.
Pseudoephedrine’s indications
Clogged nasal passage. Hay fever. Allergic rhinitis.
Diphenhydramine’s mechanism
Blocks release of histamines. Blocks inflammatory response.
Diphenhydramine’s indications
Allergies. Motion sickness, N/V. Cough. Sleep aide
Guaifenesin’s mechanism
Liquifies mucus/fluids in the lungs so they can be expectorated.
Guaifenesin’s indications
Productive cough.
Albuterol’s mechanism
Binds to beta-2 adrenergic receptors to relax smooth muscle of airways.
Albuterol’s indication
Acute bronchospasm
Ipratropium’s mechanism
Blocks muscarinic receptors in bronchi.
Ipratropium’s indication
Acute bronchospasm
Levodopa’s mechanism
It’s a dopamine precursor. Crosses blood brain barrier. Is converted to dopamine.
Levodopa’s indication
Parkinson’s
Benztropine’s mechanism
Anticholinergic effect by blocking cholinergic receptors. Relieves tremors & rigidity, dries mouth, lessens extrapyramidal symptoms.
Benztropine’s indications
Parkinson’s when levodopa loses effectiveness.
Prednisone’s mechanism
Enters cells. Binds to intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and histamines. Immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory.
Increases blood glucose, increases fat, decreases protein. Helpful with kidney problems.
Prednisone’s indications
Multiple sclerosis, arthritis
Fludrocortisone’s mechanism
Powerful steroid. Used in conjunction with prednisone for kidney problems. Retains sodium while excreting potassium at the distal convoluted tubules of the nephron.
Fludrocortisone’s indication
Adrenal insufficiency
Alendronate’s mechanism
Slows bone resorption. Does not affect growth or mineralization.
Alendronate’s indication
Osteoporosis
Captopril’s mechanism
Blocks Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) in lungs from turning angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor that regulates RAAS, so captopril increases Na+ and water secretion.
Captopril’s indication
Mostly HTN, but may be used in HF.
Diltiazem’s mechanism
Inhibits movement of Ca+ across cardiac muscles. Decreases contractility, CO, VR, and O2 consumption.
Diltiazem’s indication
HTN, angina, and prevention of preterm labor
Metoprolol’s mechanism
Blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. Decreases stimulus from SNS. Decreases CO, O2 consumption, and blood pressure.
Metoprolol’s indication
HTN, HF, afib
Nitroprusside’s mechanism
Vasodilator. Acts directly on smooth muscles of blood vessels.
Nitroprusside’s indication
HTN
Epinephrine/dopamine’s mechanism
It’s adrenaline. Causes sympathetic reaction.
Epinephrine/dopamine’s indications
Anaphylaxis, septic shock, asthma
Nitroglycerin’s mechanism
Vasodilator
Nitroglycerin’s indications
Angina and MI
Digoxin’s mechanism
Increases flow of Ca+ into cardiac muscle, increasing contractility. Increased CO. Decreased heart rate. Increased renal perfusion and urination.
Digoxin’s indications
HF and afib
Atorvastatin’s mechanism
Inhibits last step of cholesterol formation. Lowers LDL. Slightly raises HDL.
Atorvastatin’s indications
Hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, related conditions
Sodium bicarbonate’s mechanism
Directly raises pH of stomach. Lessens esophageal damage/irritation in GERD. Protects mucosa of stomach from damage.
Sodium bicarbonate’s indications
GERD, PUD, metabolic acidosis
Omeprazole’s mechanism
Blocks proton pump from raising acidity of stomach.
Omeprazole’s indications
GERD, PUD, H. pylori infection
Misoprostol’s mechanism
Inhibits proton release from histamine receptors
Misoprostol’s indications
Ulcers from NSAIDs, prevent ulcers, induce labor, stop uterine bleeding, abortifacient
Bisacodyl’s mechanism
Stimulates nerves in intestines to cause peristalsis.
Bisacodyl’s indications
Constipation without blockage, prep for colonoscopy, induce labor
Magnesium citrate’s mechanism
Draws fluid into GI tract which is absorbed by stool
Magnesium citrate’s indications
Constipation if not dehydrated, bowel evacuation before procedure/operation
Mineral oil’s mechanism
Coats stool to prevent water loss. Adds slippery coating to stool.
Mineral oil’s indication
Constipation
Loperamide’s mechanism
Increases fluid reabsorption in GI, decreases peristalsis
Loperamide’s indication
Diarrhea (possibly from infection)
Ondansetron’s mechanism
Suppresses vomiting center of brain. Blocks 5-HT3 receptors
Ondansetron’s indication
N/V from chemotherapy
Hydrochlorothiazide’s mechanism
Increases Na+ excretion in urine. Increases urination
Hydrochlorothiazide’s indications
1st med for HTN and edema
Spironolactone’s mechanism
Retains K+ while secreting Na+.
Spironolactone’s indications
HTN, edema, hypokalemia
Furosemide’s mechanism
Filters large amounts of fluid, Na+, and K+. Extra powerful.
Furosemide’s indications
HTN, pulmonary edema, HF, hyperkalemia
Bethanecol’s mechanism
Binds to and activates cholinergic receptors
Bethanecol’s indications
Urinary retention without obstructions, GERD
Heparin/enoxaparin’s mechanism
Blocks formation of thrombin, preventing new clots
Heparin/enoxaparin’s indications
DVT, stroke, TIA, MI
Warfarin’s mechanism
Blocks clotting factors dependent on vitamin K (7, 9, 10, prothrombin)
Warfarin’s indications
DVT, stroke, TIA, MI
Immune globulin mechanism and indication
It’s an antibody in a vaccine and it gives you passive immunity
Gentamycin’s mechanism
Inhibits protein synthesis in gram negative bacteria
Gentamycin’s indications
Infection from gram negative bacteria
Cefaclor’s mechanism
Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell walls during division
Cefaclor’s indications
Bacterial infection: Respiratory, dermatological, UTI, middle ear
Amoxicillin’s mechanism
Inhibits cell wall synthesis
Amoxicillin’s indications
Bacterial infection
Rimantadine’s mechanism
Not entirely known. Probably stops virus from shedding protein case and entering cells.
Rimantadine’s indications
Viral respiratory infection, influenza A, prevention of infection in children
Clotrimazole’s mechanism
Binds to fungal membrane. Changes permeability. Cell leaks and absorbs toxins.
Clotrimazole’s indication
A few fungal infections (candidiasis)
Methotrexate’s mechanism
Immunosuppressive. Kills cancer cells in S phase by mimicking metabolites used in DNA synthesis. Infiltrates cells and kills them.
Methotrexate’s indication
Cancer (particularly malignant tumors)
Vincristine’s mechanism
Targets cells in M phase. Blocks/alters DNA synthesis.
Vincristine’s indications
Cancer (lymph leukemia, bladder/breast, Hodgkin’s)
Tamoxifen’s mechanism
Anti estrogen. Blocks hormone receptor sites in cancer cells. Slows tumor growth.
Tamoxifen’s indications
Cancer (breast, ovary, uterus, prostate, testes)
Aspirin’s mechanism
Inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins. Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiplatelet effect.
Aspirin’s indications
Pain with fever or inflammation (RA, OA). Disease from clots (MI, stroke, DVT prevention).
Ibuprofen’s mechanism
Inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins. Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effect.
Ibuprofen’s indications
Pain with fever or inflammation (RA, OA). Migraine.
Acetaminophen’s mechanism
Stimulates hypothalamus to cause sweating and vasodilation.
Acetaminophen’s indications
Pain with fever
Morphine’s mechanism
Stimulates opioid receptors. Analgesic, sedation, euphoria.
Naloxone’s mechanism
Opioid receptor antagonist
Lidocaine’s mechanism
Inhibits depolarization of nociceptors
Diazepam’s mechanism
Enhances effects of GABA in limbic system.
Diazepam’s indications
Muscle rigidity/spasms. Seizures. Alcohol withdrawal. Anxiety
Donepezil’s mechanism
Stops breakdown of ACH. Increases ACH in brain. Manages ALZ progression.
Donepezil’s indications
Mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Phenytoin’s mechanism
Stabilizes membrane by altering sodium levels in serum. Raises seizure threshold.
Phenytoin’s indications
Seizures.
Carbemazepine’s mechanism
Alters Na+ in serum and GABA in brain. Raises seizure threshold.
Carbemazepine’s indications
Seizures. Trigeminal neuralgia.
Cannabis’s mechanism
Blocks GABA. Increases dopamine. Causes increase in appetite.
Cannabis’s indications
Cachexia and pain.
