Miscellaneous drugs

Question 1

What is pheochromocytoma and what is it treated with?

Answer 1

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland and leads to too much catecholamine production. Treated with drugs like Metyrosine which block tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis. This reduces epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations and alleviates attacks of HTN.

Question 2

Autoreceptors vs Heteroreceptors

Answer 2

Autoreceptors= feedback inhibition, example is Alpha 2 receptor which takes in norepinephrine and prevents more presynaptic vessicles from being made and thus, more NE from being released.

Question 3

Heteroreceptor

Answer 3

expression of cholinergic receptor (alpha 2)on non-cholinergic tissue. Alpha 2 agonists can activate theses heteroreceptors and it leads to bradycardia, hypotension, analgesia, etc…

Question 4

Alpha 2 agonists

Answer 4

Inhibit sympathetic tone and lower BP

Question 5

Alpha 2 agonists that cannot penetrate the blood brain barrier do not effectively lower BP.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Major use of alpha 2 agonists

Answer 6

Useful in preventing reflex tachycardia.

Question 7

Why are these drugs useful in diabetics and asthmatics

Answer 7

No meaningful effect on blood glucose or lung function

Question 8

Adverse effects

Answer 8

Somnolence, Dry Mouth,

Question 9

Reserpine does what?

Answer 9

Binds tightly to adrenergic storage vesicles in central and peripheral adrenergic neurons. It inhibits the catecholamine transporter. No storage of NE and Dopamine.
Antihypertensive effects.

Question 10

Toxicities

Answer 10

sedation and inability to concentrate or perform other tasks
Some depression…discontinue at first sign because this can lead to suicide.
Dont give with colitis
Don’t give in pregnancy