Exam 4 Flashcards
CNS neurotransmitters are?
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Glutamate
GABA
What balance of neurotransmitters are out in Parkinson’s Disease?
Too little Dopamine
Too Much acetylcholine
What are the two types of medications for Parkinson’s?
Dopaminergic Agents
Anticholinergic agents
Dopaminergic agents are used to?
Directly or indirectly activate dopamine receptors
Anticholinergic Agents are used to?
Block receptors for acetylcholine
How long does Parkinson’s Disease take to develop?
5-7 years
What is Levodopa?
A drug used to treat Parkinson’s that is a dopamine replacement
What type of drug is Levodopa?
A prodrug that is converted into it’s active form after crossing the BBB
How much of Levodopa reaches the brain?
2%
Pharmacokinetics:
What is important about the administration of Levodopa?
It has a very short half life and food delays absorption especially meals high in protein
Which drug exhibits the “loss of effect” and what is it?
Levodopa, and the “loss of effect” is like a wearing off->As dose wears off symptoms appear
What are the adverse effects of Levodopa?
N/V (Significant)
Darkening of sweat and urine
Involuntary movement (Dyskinesis)
Orthostatic Hypotension/dysrythmias
Psychosis
Drug interations
I Never Did Open Dad’s Present.
What are the drug interactions of Levodopa?
Bad: Medications that block dopamine such as 1st gen Parkinson’s drugs
Good: Anticholinergics block acetylcholine
What should a patient taking Levodopa report to the nurse?
Report:
“loss of effect”
“New Tremors/twitching”
Palpitations/Racing heart
Hallucinations/paranoia
Which drug acts as an assistant to Levodopa, helping as much as possible reach the brain, and is only available in a combo pill?
carbidopa/levodopa (sinemet)
What is the MOA of carbidopa/levodopa?
Prevents decarboxylase action, allowing us to give a lower dose of levodopa
What is Entacapone?
A drug with no therapeutic effect on it’s own, but works like railroad crossing arm and extends the half life of levodopa
What is the MOA of Entacapone?
Inhibits COMT enzyme from breaking down levodopa (catechol-O-methyltransferase)
Which drug works directly to activate dopamine receptors in brain?
Pramipexole
Which drug for Parkinson’s is often used in as the first line in the early stages?
Pramipexole
What are the adverse effects of Pramipexole?
Sleep Attacks
Impulse control disorders/compulsive behaviors
*The adverse effets are produced by receptor activation
Pramipexole: nausea, dizziness, weakness, sleep changes (Sleepyness in daytime and insomnia at night)
Pramipexole + Levodopa/carbidopa: Orthostatic hypotension, dyskinesias, hallucinations
What is Pramipexole added to after first line treatment is tried?
Levodopa/carbidopa
What are the nursing considerations for Pramipexole?
It is ok to take with meals
Rise slowly from supine to sitting
Report sleep attacks
Report impulse control concerns
Which neurotransmitters have low levels in Alzheimer’s Disease?
Acetylcholine
What are the two major drug classes to treat Alzheimer’s Disease?
Cholinesterase inhibitors
NMDA antagonists
What is the MOA of Donepezil?
Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine by the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the CNS
What are the benefits of Donepezil?
Improved QOL
Memory
Reasoning
Donepezil ___________ __________ delay disease progression.
Donepezil does not delay disease progression.
What are the pharmacokinetics of Donepezil?
Available as ODT
96% protein bound
Long half life
What are the adverse effects of Donepezil?
The high acetylcholine causes cholinergic effects-> SLUDGE
What is the MOA of Rivastigmine?
Prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine by the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the CNS
What are the benefits of Rivastigmine?
Improved QOL
Memory
Reasoning
What is the administration method for Rivastigmine?
Available as a transdermal patch
What are the adverse effects of rivastigmine?
Acetylcholinergic effects (SLUDGE)
Bradycardia -> Fainting, Falls
What is the MOA of Memantine?
Blocks NMDA receptors and prevents excessive calcium accumulation in the neurons
What are the benefits of Memantine?
Slows decline
May improve symptoms
*** Does not modify the disease process
What drug combined with Memantine has a potentiated effect?
Donepezil + memantine
(Pts score better on cognitive function tests)
What is multiple sclerosis?
MS is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder affecting the myelin sheath of the neurons on the spinal cord
Immunomodulators are indicated for?
All patients with relapsing-remitting subtype, and not just for MS
Immunomodulators can reduce the relapse rate of MS by?
Around 30%
*It only slows down the disease process, but is not a cure
What is one of the negatives to MS immunomodulators?
They are very expensive
What drug was the prototype for the immunomodulators?
Inferon Beta
What are the pharmacokinetics of Interferon Beta?
Slows inflammation of CNS myelin.
It is a syntheic form of an endogenously produced glycoprotein that supplements what the body is already doing.
Administered parenterally (SQ or IM)
Dosing interval varies depending on drug
What are the adverse effects of interferon beta?
Flu like symptoms (common)
Hepatotoxcitity
Bone Marrow suppression (Low RBC, WBC, Hb, Platelets)
Injection site problems
Headache
What type of drug for MS is less preferred than immunomodulators but has a stronger effect?
Immunosuppressants
-has stronger immunosuppression
-more toxic
-Effective against all subtypes of MS
When would immunosuppressants be used?
In patients that don’t respond to immunomodulators
What are the pharmacokinetics of Mitoxantrone?
Supresses production of immune cells
IV infusion every 3 months
What are the adverse effects of Mitoxantrone?
Hepatotoxicity
Bone Marrow Supression
Cardiotoxicity (looks like HF)
Teratogenic
What is something a patient taking Mitoxantrone should look out for?
Edema, pink frothy sputum, cough
can be signs of cardiotoxicity (looks like heart failure)
What is the treatment of acute MS Flares?
High-dose IV steroids for 3-5 days
This quickly reduces acute inflammation (rapid improvement in patient when pharmacological levels)
What is the treatment of acute MS Flares?
High-dose IV steroids for 3-5 days
This quickly reduces acute inflammation (rapid improvement in patient when pharmacological levels)
What are the 4 ways AEDs Work?
1)Suspression of sodium influx in cell membranes (Decreases ability of neurons to fire at high frequency)
2) Suppressionn of calcium influx in axon terminals (blocks channels to suppress transmission)
3) Antagonism of glutamate (A neurotransmitter)
4) Potentiation of GABA (a neurotransmitter)
What is the goal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)?
The goal is to decrease focal epileptic activity and prevent spread to other areas of the brain
What is one very important aspect about AED drugs for acheiving therapeutic response?
Adherence is very important for achieving therapeutic response because if they miss a dose they have a seizure
What are the 3 traditional Antieptileptic drugs?
Phenytoin
Phenobarbital
Valproic Acid
What is the newest epileptic drug?
Oxcarbazepine
What are the positives and negatives of the traditional AEDs?
Less expensive
Teratogenic
More interactions
More adverse effects
What are the positives and negatives of the newer AEDs?
More expensive $$$
Safer in pregnancy
Less Interactions
Less adverse effects
What is the MOA of Phenytoin?
Inhibits the sodium channels of hyperactive neurons
What are the Pharmacokinetics of Phenytoin?
NTI Drug- therapeutic levels are 10-20 mcg/mL
Highly Protein bound
Hepatotoxic
Half life dose dependent (8-60hr)
CYP enzyme inducer
What is the most widely used and first line medication for seizures?
Phenytoin
What are the Adverse effects of phenytoin?
CNS effects due to NTI levels
10-20: Mild headache, drowsiness, irratability
> 20: Nystagmus (eye jumping), sedation, ataxia, diplopia (double vision, cognitive impairment
Gingival hyperplasia
Rash (resembling measles)
Teratogenic (2 forms birth control)
Lots of drug interactions
What is the MOA of Valproic Acid?
Blocks Na and Ca Channels, may potentiate GABA
Which traditional AED drug in addition for use in seizure disorders is used for bipolar and migranes?
Valproic Acid
What are the adverse effects of Valproic Acid?
GI effects common
Rare hepatotoxicity
SERIOUS teratogen
What is the MOA of Phenobarbital?
Enhances and mimics the effets of GABA
What are the adverse effects of Phenobarbital?
Since it’s a barbituate and has sedation type effects, it has many adverse effects such as decrease in locus of control and effects respiration
What is the MOA of Oxcarbazepine?
MOA: Blocks overactive sodium channels
What is the MOA of Oxcarbazepine?
MOA: Blocks overactive sodium channels
What is a benefit of Oxcarbazepine, a newer AED prototype that gives it an advantage over Phenytoin?
No drug level monitoring is required for oxcarbazepine
What are the adverse effects of oxcarbazepine?
CNS (dizziness, drowsiness, double vision, nystagmus, headache, ataxia)
Hyponatremia (rare)
Serious skin reactions (SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
Teratogentic
Lots of drug interactions
While oxcarbazepine is teratogenic, it can be given in pregnancy because the risk of seizures can be worse. What is the nursing education related to this?
The drug can cause low birth weights and women should be taking folic acid when taking the drug.
What is status epilepticus?
An extended period of continuous seizure activity that is often more than 20 minutes and is considered a medical emergency
What is the treatment in status epilepticus?
The goal is to intervene in the first 5 minutes to avoid permanent neurological damage and the treatment is to secure the airway, give IV benzodiazepine and follow up with antiepileptics
What is a spasm?
Involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group that limits function temporarily and can be painful
What is spasticity?
Prolonged muscle tightness or contraction, characteristic finding in movement disorders of CNS origin
What can cause muscle spasms?
Epilepsy
Hypocalcemia
Chronic Pain syndrome
Localized muscle injury
What can occur due to muscle spasticity?
Increased muscle tone, spasms, decreased fine motor control/dexterity usually also hyperactive DTRs
What can cause muscle spasticity?
Multiple sclerosis
cerebral palsy
stroke
traumatic spinal cord lesions
What is Cyclobenzaprine used for and which class of medications does it belong to?
Used for Spasm
Centrally acting muscle relaxers
What is Baclofen used for and which class of medications does it belong to?
Spasticity
Centrally acting muscle relaxers
What is Dantrolene used for and which class of medications does it belong to?
Spasticity
Direct Acting muscle relaxers
What is Diazepam used for and which class of medications does it belong to?
Spasticity
Benzodiazpine
Treatment of muscle spasms:
What medications are used?
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Cyclobenzaprine
Treatment of muscle spasms:
Which types if Physical Therapy are used?
Stretching
Flexibility
Tens
Treatment of muscle spasms:
What type of heat therapy can be used?
Heating pad
Whirpool/warm bath
What are the therapeutic uses for cyclobenzaprine?
Relief of pain from acute muscle spasm to increase ROM
Not effective to treat spasticity
What are the adverse effects of cyclobenzaprine?
CNS effects (drowsiness, dizziness, sedation)
Anticholinergic effects (anti-sludge)
What are the interactions of cyclobenzaprine?
Alcohol and other CNS depressants (Additive effect ->increased drowsiness)
Antidepressants (risk for serotonin syndrome)
Tolerance and Dependence can develop
What drug is used to treat spasticity, and is a CNS drug that acts on the spinal cord to supress hyperactive reflexes?
Baclofen
What two drugs for spasticity must not be given together?
What is the adverse effect of both of these drugs?
Baclofen and Diazepam (Valium)
Both have sedation has an adverse effect
Where does the drug Dantrolene act?
Directly on skeletal muscle
Pharmacokinetics:
What is special about the routes of administration of Dantrolene?
The PO dosing is used for spasticity
The IV dosing is used for malignant hyperthermia
What is the adverse effect of Dentrolene?
Dose related heptaotoxicity
Which type of medications act by increasing the activity of CNS neurons and are used in ADHD and narcolepsy?
Stimulants such as:
Amphetamine
Methylphenidate
Methyxanthine
How do stimulants increase the activity of CNS neurons?
Some enhance neuronal excitation
Some suppress neuronal inhibition
What is the MOA of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
They release norepinephrine and dopamine and inhibit reuptake of both in the CNS and peripheral nervous system
What are the therapeutic effects of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
Increased alertness
Increased initiative
Reduced fatigue
Elevated mood
What are the adverse effects of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
Tolerance develops to mood elevation, appetite suppression and CV effects
High dependence and abuse potiential
What are the pharmacokinetics of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
Available PO in both short and long duration forms
What are the adverse effects of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate?
Which ones are common?
Common:
(insomnia)Excess CNS stimulation
(weight loss)Reduced Appetite
(HTN)Vasoconstriction
(dysrhythmias, angina) Cardiac excitation
Psychosis (with excess use)
Overdose can cause seizures/coma/death`
What is the MOA of Methylxanthine (caffeine)?
Blockade of adenosine receptors appears responsible for most effects
What are the therapeutic effects of Methyxanthine?
Decreased drowsiness
Decreased fatigue
Increased intellectual exertion
Headache relief (vasoconstriction)
Mild diuretic
When I drink alot of caffeine, I am not as tired and can focus on work. It also helps my headache go away but it does make me have to pee.
What are the adverse effects of Methyxanthine?
Nervousness
Insomnia
Convulsions (extreme doses)
What are some of the factors that can lead to drug abuse?
Reinforced qualities of the drug
Physical dependence
Psychological dependence
Social factors
Availability
Individual vulnerability
Quality Purple Pheasants All Indivually Sing
Knowledge of drug abuse enables nurses to?
Recognize abuse and toxicity
Participate in treatment and withdrawal
Educate patients who are struggling with addiction and recovery
What is the APA’s definition of substance use disorder?
A cluster of cognitive, behavorial and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems
***Important note: Their definition has no connection to physical dependence
The is the goal of the treatment of substance use disorder?
Goal is complete cessation with 40-60% reduce drug use
What is the definition of addiction?
A chronic, relapsing disease process (chronic brain disease) characterized by the continued use of a specific psychoactive substance despite the physical, psychological or social harm
What is tolerance?
Smaller and smaller responses from the same drug
What is cross tolerance?
Tolerance to one drug confers tolerance to another
What is psychological dependence?
An intense subjective need for another psychoactive drug
What is cross-dependence?
One drug dependence on another drug
What are the two main CNS effects of Alcohol (EtOH)?
GABA receptor activation
Glutamate inhibition
(Both these contribute to widespread CNS depression)
The effects of alcohol are?
Dose dependent->As concentration increases, “deeper” levels of the brain are effected
In high doses it can give a state of general anesthesia
What is the controlled substances act?
Federal legislation that categorized potentially addictive substances into five categories: Schedule I-V
Stage I drugs are?
Drugs that have the highest abuse potential and have no medical use
Heroin, LSD, and marjuana are all examples of stage I drugs
Stage II drugs are?
Drugs that require a typed or inked and signed prescription for a single RX no refills
Stage III & IV drugs are?
Drugs that can be prescribed by an oral, written or electronic prescription and have up to 5 refills
Stage V drugs are?
Drugs not requiring a prescription that can be dispensed by a PharmD with a record of tx
Must be 18 y/o
What are the Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol?
Absorption: 20% absorbed in stomach, 80% in large intestine
Distribution: Crosses BBB and placenta
Hepatic ‘constant’ metabolism
What does a constant rate of metabolism mean in regards to EtOH?
Alcohol is metabolized at a rate of 1 drink per hour
What are the adverse effects of Alcohol?
Encephalapothy
Cutaneous vasodilation
Elevation of BP
Respiratory Depression
Liver damage (Fatty liver->hepatitis->cirrhosis)
Erosive gastritis (heartburn)
Diuresis
Pancreatitis
Sexual Function
Cancer
Teratogen
What are the drug interactions with alcohol?
Other CNS depressants (due to sedation)
NSAIDs (stomach ulcers)
Acetaminophen (Liver toxicity)
Disulfiram (purposeful interaction to quit drinking)
What are the drugs used to treat alcohol abuse?
When facilitating withdrawal:
Benzodiazepines
Beta Blockers
Clonidine (off label use, lowers BP)
Antiepileptics (due to seizure risk)
To maintain abstinence:
Disulfiram
Chronic alcohol use builds significant tolerance, but not?
A tolerance to respiratory depression
What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawl syndrome?
GI distress
SNS over-activiation
Hallucinations
Tonic-clonic seizures
Disorientation
Delirium
Tremors (Rare-vivid hallucinations)
Great Snakes Have ToxiC Terrible Domination
How long do symptoms of Alcohol withdrawl syndrome last?
12-72 hours up to one week
What is the MOA of Disulfiram?
Irreversibly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase causing acetaldehyde accumulation from ETOH ingestion
What is acetaldehyde syndrome?
ETOH + Disulfiram
What are the symptoms of acetaldehyde syndrome?
Vomiting, flushing, headache, sweating, blurred vision, hypotension
*If severe, can be life threatening
What are patient education points for Disulfiram (Antabuse) precautions?
Consuming ANY alcohol can cause a reaction
Only 7mL ETOH required
Includes transdermal absorption
Effects last two weeks past last dose
What is the MOA of Nicotine?
At low doses, activates nicotine receptors in the reward center which stimulate dopamine release
-the delivery system of inhalation through smoking is particularly addictive
What are the adverse effects of nicotine?
Cardiovascular stimulation
Nausea
Appetite suppression
Fetal Harm
What are the long-term increased risk of nicotine?
There is a long term increased risk of CV, several cancers, and COPD
How many people are killed from second hand smoke per year?
41,000
What are public health measures to decrease smoking?
Gradual changes in regulation of cigarette sales, advertising, and smoking ordinances and the public health measures
What are the nicotine replacement therapies?
Gum or lozenges
Patches
Nasal Spray
Inhaler
What type of nicotine replacement is not approved through the FDA?
e-cigarettes
What is the nicotine content in nicotine patches?
24% nicotine concetrations
What is the education for nicotine gum or lozenges?
No eating or drinking for 15 minutes
What is the education for nicotine patches?
Since they are steady release, you put on in the AM and take off in PM
What are the side effects of bupropion SR?
Dry mouth, insomnia, decreased appetite
In what demographic can wellbutrin/buproprion not be used?
In patients with risk of seizures, because wellbutrin can cause seizures due to CNS activity
What is Varenicline (Chantix)?
The most effective aid for smoking cessation-reduced cravings and intensity of symptoms with a 33% abstinence rate
What is the method of action of Varenicline?
A partial nicotinic receptor agonist, so it prevents most of the nicotine from binding