Immunosuppressant Drugs Flashcards
What is the overall use of immunosuppressant drugs?
to suppress the activation of the immune system
Name four conditions you can manage with immunosuppressants?
rheumatoid/arthiritic disorders, organ rejection, autoimmune disorders, severe IBD
Name the four classes of immunosuppressive drugs
glucocorticoids, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologics
Where are glucocorticoids secreted in the body?
middle layer of the adrenal gland
What are some clinical uses of glucocorticoids?
asthma, allergies, eczema, hypersensitivity states, autoimmune diseases, suppression of organ rejection
Name two common oral glucocorticoids
prednisolone and betamethasone
What is the suffix for glucocorticoids?
-one
Do oral or injectable glucocorticoids have a longer duration of action?
injectable
Which part of the immune system do glucocorticoids suppress?
IL-2 transcription which prevents proliferation and activation of T-cells
What does DMARDs stand for?s
Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs
Which part of the immune system to DMARDs suppress?
prevent the activation of the cells that erode cartilage and bone
What are some clinical uses for methotrexate (DMARD)?
rheumatoid arthritis
Give an example of a DMARD?
methotrexate
Which part of the immune system do Azathioprine and Mycophenolate mofetil suppress?
purine synthesis which inhibits DNA synthesis which inhibits cell proliferation
Is Mycophenolate mofetil a prodrug or a full drug?
prodrug
What are some clinical uses of azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil?
prevent organ rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders