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Pharmacology > Herbs (Chapter 15) > Flashcards

Herbs (Chapter 15) Flashcards

1
Q

what is a drug ?

A

a drug is a substance whose therapeutic benefits outweigh the risks

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2
Q

in the US how are supplements regulated ?

A

considered a subset of food and not regulated as drugs

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3
Q

in Canada how are supplements regulated ?

A

regulated under the Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate
adverse reactions and manufacturing procedures are screened. If it’s medicinal, clinical trial data is required to support the claim of the market

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4
Q

what are supplements allowed to claim ?

A

can’t claim to treat a disease, but can claim to improve an aspect of a disease

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5
Q

What does research data on St John’s Wort support ?

A

a noticeable effect in many cases of light and medium depression, but no significant improvement of severe depression and OCD

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6
Q

How does St John’s Wort work ? (pharmacodynamics)

A

blocking uptake of neurotransmitters or by inhibiting monoamine oxidase

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7
Q

what are the adverse effects of St John’s Wort

A

GI disturbance and photosensitivity

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8
Q

what drugs shouldn’t be taken with St John’s Wort ? (4)

A

drugs that cause these symptoms eg tetracycline
also SJW speeds up excretion of drugs like birth control so don’t take SJW with BC
also bad to mix with prescription medication for depression that increases serotonin
also bad to mix with stimulants that increase neurotransmitters- causes increased BP and HR

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9
Q

what could be an unexpected result of taking St John’s Wort ?

A

surprise pregnancy

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10
Q

what is it called when you get side effects from mixing antidepressants with St John’s Wort ?

A

serotonin syndrome

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11
Q

what are symptoms of serotonin syndrome ?

A

headache, dizziness, ataxia, tachycardia, coma

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12
Q

what is ginko ?

A

a leaf extract from a tree called ginko biloba

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13
Q

what are two major components of ginko ?

A

flavone glycosides

ginkolic acid

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14
Q

how is ginko prescribed ?

A

OTC or prescription strength

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15
Q

what is the main benefit of ginko ?

A

improves blood flow to certain areas

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16
Q

in which disease can ginko perhaps be beneficial ? (3)

A

since it improves blood flow, it can be used in senile Alzheimer’s dementia, for impaired circulation of the legs, PMS

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17
Q

what is the suggested mechanism of ginko ?

A

decreases prostaglandin production and inhibits COX enzymes

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18
Q

what is the main adverse effects of ginko? what drugs should therefore not be taken with it ?

A

spontaneous bleeding- therefore shouldn’t be taken with other blood thinners

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19
Q

what form of ginseng is more potent?

A

the Asian one

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20
Q

what is the main benefit of ginseng ?

A

promotes overall health and wellbeing

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21
Q

what is ginseng normally used for ? (2)

A

improving menopausal symptoms and reducing flu symptoms

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22
Q

what is the effect of ginseng on blood glucose ?

A

controversial

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23
Q

what is the ergogenic effect of ginseng ?

A

controversial

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24
Q

what should ginseng not be taken with ?

A

anti-coagulant drugs

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25
Q

in general what kind of population should not take ginseng ?

A

people with a pre-existing disease

it’s more for a healthy person who wants to stay healthy

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26
Q

what is saw palmetto ?

A

a lipid extract from dwarf berries

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27
Q

in what 4 forms can saw palmetto be taken ?

A

berries, capsules, tablets, teas

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28
Q

in what 3 forms can ginseng be taken ?

A

capsules, powder, tea

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29
Q

what population should not take saw palmetto ?

A

pregnant women

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30
Q

what is saw palmetto scientifically proven to treat ?

A

benign prostatic hyperplasia - has anti androgenic properties that slow it down

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31
Q

what is kava used for ?

A

usually socially to get drunk, but also as a treatment for stress and anxiety

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32
Q

what does kava have an effect on ?

A

the CNS

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33
Q

what are the three roles of kava in the CNS ?

A

muscle relaxant
antiepileptic
insomnia treatment

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34
Q

compared to benzodiazepines, what is peculiar about kava ?

A

it doesn’t cause impaired motor skills, but can cause “fun times’

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35
Q

what should kava never be combined with ?

A

other sedatives

36
Q

what can be an issue with kava ? what are the warning signs ?

A

liver toxicity

watch out for yellowing of eye, skin, brown urine

37
Q

what is echinacea ?

A

extract from a purple coneflower

38
Q

what is the active component of echinacea ?

39
Q

what is the main role of echinacea ?

A

enhances immune system and prevents inflammation

40
Q

what is the main side effect of echinacea

A

in people that have a pollen allergy- allergic reaction

41
Q

what is black cohosh?

A

roots from a plant called Cimifuga racemosa

42
Q

what is black cohosh used for ?

A

treat menopausal symptoms or PMS (cramps)

43
Q

how does black cohosh work pharmacodynamically ?

A

inhibits luteinizing hormone and inhibit activity of serotonin receptor

44
Q

who should avoid taking black cohosh ?

A

people with history of breast cancer

45
Q

when should black cohosh not be used ?

A

in pregnancy or lactation

46
Q

what is the active ingredient in feverfew ?

A

parthenolide

47
Q

what are the 3 ways feverfew is taken ?

A

powder, pills, or leaves

48
Q

what is the major use of feverfew ?

A

prevent migraine headaches, but not treat migraine

49
Q

what is not recommended to take with feverfew ?

A

since it may prevent platelet aggregation, shouldn’t be taken with other drugs

50
Q

what are the main health benefits of garlic ? (4)

A

topical antiseptic
reduced BP
improve lipid and cholesterol profile
prevent atherosclerosis

51
Q

what is the main issue in terms of drugs that shouldn’t be taken with garlic ?

A

anything that prevents platelet aggregation (blood thinners) like aspirin, warfarin, herbs

52
Q

what is valerian used for ?

A

improve sleep and perhaps reduce anxiety

53
Q

what is the active ingredient of valerian ?

54
Q

what can valerian perhaps do in the brain ?

A

increase the availability of GABA

55
Q

what is valerian not recommended to be consumed with ?

56
Q

what is curcumin ?

A

the active ingredient in tumeric

57
Q

what is the pharmacodynamics of curcumin ? what is the overall effect?

A

downregulating the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase, inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes

inhibits inflammation

58
Q

what is the main adverse effect of curcumin ?

A

may contribute to iron deficiency

59
Q

what are the three herbs that have no actual health benefits, just dangerous ?

A

Chaparral, Pennyroyal, Thunder God Vine

60
Q

what is the latin name for chaparall ? (2)

A

larrea divaricata or larrea tridentata

61
Q

what is chaparral sold as ?

A

analgesic and anti-cancer herb

62
Q

what is the main risk of chaparral ?

A

severe liver damage

63
Q

what does chaparral interact with ?

A

blood thinners

64
Q

what is the latin name for pennyroyal ?

A

mentha pulegium

65
Q

what is pennyroyal traditionally used for ?

A

inducing abortions

66
Q

what are the adverse effects of pennyroyal ?

A

liver and kidney damage, death

67
Q

what dose of pennyroyal is considered unsafe ?

68
Q

what population should not take pennyroyal ?

69
Q

what is thunder god vine used to treat ? what are its three main properties ?

A

it has anti-inflammatory, immune suppression and anti cancer effects

treats inflammation, immune hyperactivity, autoimmune diseases

70
Q

although thunder god vine has research supporting its benefits, why is it not recommended ?

A

it has severe side effects and can be highly deadly if prepared improperly (poisonous sacks in roots)

71
Q

during periods of rest, what does creatinine do ?

A

bound to phosphate groups, forming phosphocreatine (PCr)

72
Q

during exercise, what happens to creatinine ?

A

the phosphate groups from PCr are cleaved and attached to ADP forming a new ATP molecule.

73
Q

what is the most popular form of creatine used ?

A

creatine monohydrate (CrM)

74
Q

what is the newest form of creatine ?

A

creatine ethyl ester (CEE)

75
Q

what is the supposed advantage of creatine ethyl esther ?

A

better absorbed by GI tract due to lipophilic nature

76
Q

from research, what does creatine monohydrate supplementation do ?

A

increase muscle creatine concentration

77
Q

what dosage regimen is more effective for creatine ?

A

a loading regimen

78
Q

what has raised questions on the safety of creatine supplementation ?

A

majority of creatine ethyl esther converted to inactive creatinine. this may be dangerous

79
Q

what is the effect of creatine on liver and kidney function ?

A

so far research has indicated no danger

80
Q

is there an ergogenic benefit to creatine monohydrate

A

yes, but highly dependent on mode of exercise

intermittent anaerobic exercise the best

81
Q

what is the solid link in creatine research

A

between concentration of creatine in muscle and ergogenic benefit

82
Q

what is the main problem in consuming herbs and supplements ?

A

people treat them as harmless

83
Q

is it ok to take a natural supplement with a drug ?

A

not if they are supposed to do the same thing

84
Q

what are vegetables with anticoagulant properties ? (2)

A

celery

garlic

85
Q

what are plants with anticoagulant properties (3)

A

green tea
ginger
ginseng

Pharmacology (15 decks)

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