Pharmacolgy Flash Cards
What is an absorbent drug? Give a common example used in the treatment of diarrhoea?
An absorbent is a substance that attracts other materials such as bacterial toxins to its surface; kaolin is a common example
What is meant by the term anabolism?
Describes the building up of synthesis of cell structure from digested food materials. Anabolic steroids such as Nandrolone are often used in practice
Most of the drugs acting upon the central nervous system in animals are depressants, however stimulants are used in the treatment of convulsions and respiratory arrest. What term describes drugs that stimulate the cerebral and medullary centres of the brain?
Drugs that stimulate the cerebral and medullary centres of the brain are called analeptics
What is the difference between a broad spectrum and narrow spectrum antibiotic?
Broad spectrum antibiotics act on both gram positive and gram negative staining bacteria, whilst narrow spectrum antibiotics act on one of the other
Gram positive bacteria
Retains crystal violet, staining dark purple.
Thick (multi-layered)
No outer membrane
Highly susceptible to penicillin
Cocci examples- staphylococci, streptococci, entercocci
Rod examples- bacillus, actinomyces
Gram negative bacteria
Staining- cannot retain the violet stain can accept counterstain (safranin) and stain red(pink)
Thin (single layered)
Outer membrane present
Low susceptibility to penicillin
Give 2 examples of the use of heparin; an anticoagulant drug
To prevent a blood sample (biochemistry) from clotting
As an intravenous injection to treat thrombosis
What is the name of a substance that reduces the volume of urine excreted?
An antidiuretic
What are antifungal drugs known as?
Antimycotics
What condition is commonly treated with antipyretics?
Abnormally high body temperature as in a fever, but not for conditions such as heat stroke
Give an example of an antisialagogue commonly used as a premedicant
Atropine; antisialagogues decrease the amount of salivation, thus making them particularly useful in cases such as dentals
What are antitissusives used to treat?
Coughing e.g. codeine
What drugs cause expulsion of gas from the stomach?
Carminatives
What are cytotoxic drugs also known as?
Antimitotic drugs
Give an example of a common diuretic drug
Frusemide, it is used to increase the volume of urine produced
Oxytocic drugs stimulate uterine contractions; by what other name are these drugs known?
Ecbolic drugs
What is the difference between a laxative and a purgative?
A laxative has a mild effect on the bowels encouraging defecation, whilst a purgative has a very strong effect.
Purgatives are also known as cathartics
What is the difference between a miotic and a mydriatic drug?
Miotic drugs cause constriction of the pupil (used in the treatment of glaucoma)
Mydriatics cause dilation of the pupil
What is the difference between a sedative and a tranquilliser?
A sedative has calming effects which may be soporific (causing drowsiness)
Tranquillisers reduce anxiety without causing the patient to become sleepy
