P.CEUTICS1: Pharmacokinetics

Question 1

Describe the blood-brain barrier

Answer 1

Extreme form of lipid barrier with:

• few intercellular pores
• numerous tight junctions
• surrounded by glial cells

Question 2

What drugs can penetrate BBB?

Answer 2

Lipid-soluble drugs

Question 3

Which drugs can’t access BBB well?

Answer 3

Water-soluble/polar drugs

Question 4

Which condition is BBB less effective?

Answer 4

Meningitis

Question 5

Which antibiotics can’t pass through BBB?

Answer 5

Benzyl penicillin

Question 6

Mention the similarities between domperidone + metoclopramide

Answer 6

• Anti-emetics
• Dopamine receptor antagonist

Question 7

What is the difference between metoclopramide + domperidone?

Answer 7

Metoclopramide penetrates BBB + cause drug-induced parkinsonism

Domperidone doesn’t

Question 8

Reccognise issues posed by the BBB

Question 9

Identify a key, potential medication error linked with intrathecal drug administration

Question 10

Describe significance of the 2-compartment model in the action of IV general anaesthetic

Question 11

Define zero-order elimination

Question 12

Determine loading dose + maintenance dose of phenytoin

Question 13

Describe issues surrounding use of anti-epilepticc drugs in pregnancy

Question 14

Identify key drug interactions involving anti-epileptic drugs

Question 15

Show a single compartment model

Question 16

What is the 1^st line drug for generalised tonic-clonic seizures + why?

Question 17

If antidepressants must be sued during pregnancy, what is the preferred drug of choice?

Question 18

CNS-acting drugs lead to…

Question 19

Examples of anti-epileptic drugs

Question 20

What’s the interaction between lamotrigine + oral contraceptives?

Question 21

St John’s Wort is an enzyme inducer.

What drugs does this affect?

Question 22

Lithium plasma concentration is determined by…