neuro drugs (>.<)

Question 1

carbidopa/levodopa adrs, interactions

Answer 1

carbidopa allows more levodopa to enter the brain, mimics dopamine
treatment of parkinsons
ADRS: dyskinesia, hypotension, dysrythmias, psychosis , dark sweat and urine color,
-on off phenomenon

interactions:
-high protein foods can reduce therapeutic responses
-first gen antipsychotic agents decrease the effectiveness of levodopa
-combining levodopa with MAOI will lead to hypertensive crisis

Question 2

pramipexole (mirapex)

Answer 2

dopamine agonist recommended as the drug of choice for patients with mild symptoms of parkinsons
adrs: hallucinations, sleepiness, hypotension

Question 3

Entacapone

Answer 3

COMT inhibitor that inactivates dopamine used in the treatment of parkinsons
-only used in combo with levodopa
-able to lower the dose of Levodopa so there are fewer adrs
-dont stop abruptly

Question 4

selegiline (eldepryl)

Answer 4

mao-B inhibitors , they halt the breakdown of dopamine
-in high doses they inhibit MAO-A also, and this can be bad if we eat foods high in TYRAMINE

Question 5

amantidine

Answer 5

effective in treatment of parkinsons

Question 6

benztropine

Answer 6

anticholinergic used to treat parkinsons
it reduces tremors and bradykinesia but does not decrease bradykinesia
not as good as levodopa or dopamine agonists

Question 7

Donepezil hydrochloride (aricept) , interactions, adrs

Answer 7

best tolerated med for all stages of alzeimers disease
-prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine so increases levels of acetylcholine
ADRs: GI stuff, dizziness, bronchoconstriction, bradycardia
interactions: anticholinergic , antihistamine, tryclic antidepressants, antipsychotics
interactions

Question 8

Memandtine (namenda)

Answer 8

a NMDA receptor antagonast just in moderate to severe Alzheimer’s
-promotes calcium entry into the cells
ADRS: well tolerated but some hallucination, dizziness, constipation etc