Neuro Pharmacology Flashcards
Catagories of Neuro Meds (5)
1) Antiepileptic Agents
2) Antispasticity Agents
3) Cholinergic Agents
4) Dopamine Replacement Agents
5) Muscle Relaxant Agents
Antiepileptic Agent Indications and Actions
- Indications: seizures
- Action: Attempt to inhibit firing of certain cerebral neurons through effects on the CNS
Antiepileptic Agent side effects
- Ataxia**
- skin issues
- Behavioral changes
- GI issues
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain
Antiepileptic Agent PT implications
- Know protocol for responding to a seizure
- Seizure pt’s may have greater sensitivity to light and noise level
Antiepileptic Agent Examples
- Seconal (secobarbital)
- Klonopin (clonazepam)*
- Depakote (valporic acid)
- Dilantin (phenytoin)*
- Tegretol (carbamazepine)
- Celontin (methsuxiimide)
- Neurotin (gabapentin)*
Antispasticity Agents Indications and Actions
- Indications: Increased tone, spasticity (SCI, CVA, MS)
- Actions: Selectively bind within CNS or skeletal muscle to promote relaxation
Antispasticity Agents Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Generalized muscle weakness*
- Hepatotoxicity potential with Dantrium*
- Tolerance
- Dependence*
Antispasticity Agent PT Implications
-Once spasticity is reduced, therapists focus on therapeutic handling techniques, facilitation, and strengthening to improve mobility to make up for loss of function with dec tone
Antispasticity Agent Examples
- Liorseol (baclofen)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Dantrium (dantrolene)
- Zanaflex (tizanidine)
Cholinergic Agents Indications and Actions
- Indications: Glaucoma, dementia due to Alzheimer’s, post-op decrease in GI motility, myasthenia gravis, reversal of anticholinergic toxicity
- Actions: cholinergic direct stimulants mimic Ach and binds to cholinergic receptors. Indirect cholinergic stimulants increase cholinergic synapse activity through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (=> cholinergic synaptic transmission)
Cholinergic Agents Side Effects
- GI distress
- Impaired visual accomodation
- Bronchoconstriction
- Bradycardia
- Flushing
- Other parasympathetic effects
Cholinergic Agents PT Implications
- Pts may experience decreased HR and dizziness
- PTs should know sympathetic/parasympathetic systems to notice unexpected side effects
- **Alzheimer and myasthenia gravis pts may be able to better participate in PT
Cholinergic Agents Examples
- Direct: Duvoid (bethanechol), Pilocar (pilocarpine)
- Indirect: Aricept (donepezil), Tensilon (edrophonium), Prostigmin (neostigmine), Cognex (tacrine)
Dopamine Replacement Agents Indications and Actions
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease/Parkinsonism
Actions: Transform into dopamine within the brain to relieve Parksinson symptoms
Dopamine Replacement Agents Side Effects
-Arrythmias (Levodopa), GI distress, orthostatic hypotension, dyskinesia, mood/behavioral changes, tolerance
