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Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 drug targets?

A

Enzymes
Receptors
Transporters
Ion channels

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2
Q

Give an example of drugs which target enzymes

A

Statins e.g. atorvotstatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, blocking the rate limiting step in cholesterol pathway)
ACE-inhibitors e.g. ramipril (prevent angiotensin II production, so lowers water/salt retention and blood pressure)

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3
Q

What receptors are used as drug targets?

A
  • Ligand-gated ion channels (pore-forming membrane proteins, interaction with ligand opens pore, allows ion transfer)
  • G-protein coupled receptors (7 membrane spanning regions, interaction with ligand causes incorporation of G-protein due to GDP->GTP, molecular variation gives selectivity and causes different effects, can be Gs-stimulatory, Gi-inhibitory, Gq-both)
  • Kinase-linked receptors (transmembrane, stimulation by ligand phosphorylates tyrosine, allows intracellular protein binding leading to effect)
  • Nuclear receptors (located within nucleus/cytosol, modify gene transcription through ‘zinc fingers’)
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4
Q

Give an example of a transporter as a drug target

A

Proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, lansoprazole) target K+/H+ATPase pumps in the parietal cells of the stomach
They prevent the exchange of K+ from the lumen for H+ in the cell, to reduce acid secretion in the treatment of heartburn/acid reflux and the prevention and treatment of stomach ulcers

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5
Q

Give an example of an ion channel drug target

A

Loop diuretics (e.g. furosemide) target Na+/K+/Cl- symporters
They inhibit these ion channels in the thick ascending loop of Henle to increase the excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions, so decreases water retention to lower blood pressure and oedema

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6
Q

Define pharmacokinetics

A

The action of the body on the drug

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7
Q

What does ADME in pharmacokinetics stand for?

A

Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion

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8
Q

What properties of a drug affect its absorption?

A
  • Lipid soluble drugs will pass through the membrane directly, so absorbed and has an effect quickly
  • Water soluble drugs will need passive diffusion to pass through the membrane
  • Larger drugs will need facilitated diffusion, active transport, or endocytosis to be absorbed into the cell
  • Unless given IV, not all of the drug will make to the circulation as it is broken down in the gut and liver first (first pass metabolism)
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9
Q

Define bioavailability

A

The rate and extent to which a drug reaches the systemic circulation (IV=100%)

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10
Q

What does the distribution of a drug depend on?

A
  • Blood flow to the area (gets to well perfused areas like the brain fastest)
  • Permeability of the capillaries (using slit junctions, lots in the liver)
  • Protein-binding (must be free from proteins to pass through membranes and have an effect)
  • Lipophilicity (lipophilic drugs will easily pass through membranes, increasing the spread of distribution)
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11
Q

What happens in the 2 phases of drug metabolism?

A
  • Phase 1 = makes drugs hydrophilic (using CYPs e.g. cytochrome P450 )
  • Phase 2 = if still too lipophilic, add something else to make it polar so that it can’t be absorbed (acetylation)
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12
Q

How do CYPs effect drug metabolism?

A

CYPs are a large group of enzymes, most deactivate drugs for excretion, some activate drugs to their active forms
Some drugs act on CYPs to increase (inducers) or reduce (inhibitors) the metabolism of other drugs

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13
Q

How are drugs excreted?

A

Most drugs are excreted by the kidneys in the urine
Some are excreted by the liver in the bile and faeces

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14
Q

Define pharmacodynamics

A

The action of the drug on the body

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15
Q

What is an agonist?

A

Something which binds to a receptor to activate it by mimicking the endogenous substrate

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16
Q

What is an antagonist?

A

Something which inhibitors the activity of a receptor by binding to the active site to block the substrate (competitive), or by binding allosterically elsewhere to change its binding ability with the substrate (non-competitive)

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17
Q

Define affinity and efficacy, in relation to agonists and antagonists

A

Affinity - how well the substrate/drug binds to the receptor (same as potency)
Efficacy - how well the substrate/drug activates the receptor
Agonists have affinity and efficacy
Antagonists have affinity but no efficacy

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18
Q

Define cholinergic and adrenergic pharmacology

A

Cholinergic = referring to acetylcholine and its receptors (nicotinic and muscarinic)
Adrenergic = referring to noradrenaline and its receptors (alpha/beta)

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19
Q

What receptors and neurotransmitters are used in the somatic nervous system?

A

Acetylcholine, acting on nicotinic 1 receptors

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20
Q

What receptors and neurotransmitters are used in the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Pre-synaptic ganglions use acetylcholine, acting on nicotinic 2 receptors
Post-synaptic ganglions use acetylcholine, acting on muscarinic receptors

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21
Q

What receptors and neurotransmitters are used in the sympathetic nervous system?

A

Pre-synaptic ganglions use acetylcholine, acting on nicotinic 2 receptors
Post-synaptic ganglions use noradrenaline, acting on alpha/beta adrenergic receptors

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22
Q

Where are the different types of muscarinic receptors found?

A

M1 = brain
M2 = heart
M3 = organs with parasympathetic innervation
M4/5 = CNS

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23
Q

What does the activation of M2 receptors do?

A

At the SA node… decrease heart rate
At the AV node… decreased conduction velocity, induces AV node block (increase PR interval)

THINK parasympathetic = rest + digest, so slows heart

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24
Q

What do M3 receptors do in the respiratory, GI, urinary systems, skin, and eyes?

A

Respiratory = produces mucous, induces smooth muscle contraction
GI = increases saliva production, increases gut motility, stimulates bile secretion
Urinary = contracts detrusor muscle, relaxes internal urethral sphincter
Skin = causes sweating (only sympathetic effect)
Eye = causes myosis (pupil constriction), increased drainage of aqueous humour, secretion of tears

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25
Name a muscarinic agonist
Pilocarpine is used to treat acute glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure, and dry mouth Activates M3 receptors
26
Name a muscarinic antagonist
Atropine is an antagonist to all muscarinic receptors, causing pupil dilation and increased heart rate Used to treat muscarine poisoning
27
Name an inhaled antimuscarinic
Ipratropium is used in an inhaler to treat COPD, by blocking M3 receptors to cause bronchodilation Side effect caused by blocking M3 receptors = dry mouth, worsening glaucoma
28
How is ACh used in the CNS, and how dose this contribute to the side effects of antimuscarinics?
ACh is used in CNS receptors involved in memory, so antimuscarinics can cause memory problems
29
How is ACh used in the somatic nervous system, and how can this be targeted in pharmacology?
ACh is used in neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscle Botulinum toxin (botox) prevents ACh release, so induces paralysis, treats muscle spasms, and is used cosmetically Nicotine receptor blockers (e.g. atracurium) inhibit ACh activity, so act as muscle relaxants used in anaesthetics
30
What are catecholamines and where are they released?
The neurotransmitters noradrenaline (released from sympathetic nerve endings) and adrenaline (released from adrenal glands)
31
Describe the pathway of catecholamines production
Phenylalanine Tyrosine DOPA Dopamine Noradrenaline Adrenaline
32
What type of receptor are the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, and how do they work?
Alpha 1 = Gq, increase intracellular calcium Alpha 2 = Gi, inhibits cAMP generation Beta 1/2 = Gs, increases cAMP generation
33
What do alpha-1 receptors do?
Constriction of smooth muscle: blood vessels (mainly in the skin and splanchnic beds - structures not needed for fight/flight), and pupils Constriction of sphincters: pyloric, urinary, and prostate
34
Name an alpha-1 agonist
Noradrenaline is given to treat shock, as it activates alpha-1 receptors to vasoconstrict and increase peripheral resistance to increase systemic blood pressure
35
Name an alpha-1 antagonist
Doxazosin is used to lower blood pressure by reducing vasoconstriction
36
Where are alpha-2 receptors located and what do they do?
They are located in the periphery and brain, and have mixed effects on smooth muscle
37
Name an alpha-2 agonist
Clonidine is used to reduce vascular tone and blood pressure to treat hypertension, and to improve concentration in ADHD
38
Where are beta-1 agonists located and what do they do?
Heart... chronotropic (increased heart rate) and inotropic (increased force) Kidney... stimulate renin release Adipose cells... cause lipolysis
39
Name a beta-1 agonist
Adrenaline is given to treat anaphylaxis by increasing heart rate and stroke volume
40
Name a beta-1 antagonist
Bisoprolol is a beta blocker, so will reduce heart rate and stroke volume as treatment after heart failure (to allow myocardial recovery)
41
Where are beta-2 receptors located and what do they do?
Lungs... bronchodilation Bladder... inhibits micturition Skeletal muscle... increases contraction speed Pancreas... insulin/glucagon secretion Uterus... inhibits labour
42
Name a beta-2 agonist
Salbutamol is used in inhalers to treat asthma and COPD, by causing bronchodilation
43
Name a beta-2 antagonist
Propranolol (non-selective beta blocker, so antagonist to beta 1 and 2 receptors) treats hypertension by causing vasoconstriction
44
How have drugs been developed to target DNA?
- Preventing DNA synthesis - Blocking the incorporation of certain factor to cause chain termination and cytotoxicity - Preventing replication by causing irreversible crosslinks
45
How do protein kinase inhibitors work?
Protein kinase inhibitors (e.g. imatinib) block the phosphorylation that is needed in transcription, and have been developed to target specific mutations
46
Name the naturally occurring opioids
Morphine Codeine
47
Name the opioids which are simple chemical modifications
Diamorphine Oxycodone
48
Name two synthetic opioids
Pethidine Fentanyl
49
What routes of administration are available for opioids?
Oral (low bioavailability, so slowest option) Parenteral (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous) Epidural (drugs are given into the CSF) Transdermal (used for lipid-soluble drugs like fentanyl) IV patient controlled analgesia (patient has more when needed)
50
What is the bioavailability of oral morphine, and how does this effect the dose needed compared to IV?
The bioavailability or oral morphine is 50%, so the dose will need to be twice as much as an IV dose to have the same effect
51
How do opioids induce analgesia?
Opioids act on the existing pain modulation system, by increasing the activity of the descending pain inhibition pathway, which prevents the transmission of pain signals to the ascending spinothalamic neurons
52
What are the names of the 4 opioid receptors, and what type of receptor are they?
MOP (the target of all current opioids), KOP, DOP, NOP G-protein coupled receptors, acting through secondary messangers
53
What is tolerance?
Tolerance is the downregulation of receptors caused by prolonged use, meaning that a higher dose is needed to have the same effect
54
What affects the potency of a drug, and how will this change doses needed of diamorphine, morphine, and pethidine?
Potency relates to how well the drug binds to the receptor (affinity), meaning different drugs will need different doses to achieve the same potency/effect: Diamorphine = 5mg, Morphine = 10mg, Pethidine = 100mg
55
What is dependency?
Dependency is when drug-taking becomes impulsive due to physical or psychological impairment, which can lead to withdraw symptoms of not taken
56
What are the side effects of opioids?
Respiratory depression Sedation Constipation Nausea and vomiting Addiction Immune suppression Itching Endocrine effects
57
Why do the side effects of opioids occur?
Because there are opioid receptors outside of the CNS (also in the GI tract and respiratory control centres in the brain)
58
What is the antidote to opioids?
Naloxone is a competitive antagonist to opioid receptors, so is used to treat opioid overdoses and respiratory depression (as a side effect to opioids)
59
What is pharmacogenetics?
Genetic factors which change the metabolism of a drug Codeine and tramadol require CYP206 to metabolise them to morphine to have an effect 10-15% of the population have decreased CYP206 activity 10% have an absence of CYP206 5 % have an over reactive CPY206 (increased risk of respiratory depression)
60
Define adverse drug reaction
An unwanted or harmful reaction following the administration of a drug under normal conditions of use, suspected to be related to the drug
61
Define side effect
An unintended effect of a drug related to its pharmacological properties, including unexpected benefits of treatment
62
Why are ADRs significant?
Common cause of death 2% of admissions 60% are preventable Adversely affects quality of life Increases cost of patient care Occurs in 10-20% of inpatients
63
When do the following contribute to ADRs? - Toxic effects - Collateral effects - Hyper-susceptibility
- Toxic effects happen when the dose is above the therapeutic range, or if renal/hepatic function impairs excretion (e.g. nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity with high doses of aminoglycosides like gentamicin) - Collateral effects occur when the dose is within the therapeutic range (e.g. beta blockers cause bronchoconstriction, dangerous is asthma/COPD) - Hyper-susceptibility happens with sub-therapeutic doses (e.g. anaphylaxis with penicillin)
64
What are the risk factors for ADRs?
Age (elderly or neonates) Genetic predisposition Polypharmacy (drug-drug interactions) Hepatic/renal impairment Adherence problems Prescriber's error Low therapeutic range Steep dose-response curve
65
What is a type A ADR?
Type A = augmented pharmacology An extension of the primary effect, or a secondary effect e.g. hypotension caused by hypertensives
66
What is a type B ADR?
Type B = bizarre or idiosyncratic Includes allergy or hypersensitivity e.g. anaphylaxis caused by penicillin
67
What is a type C ADR?
Type C = chronic/continuous Related to time and cumulative doses e.g. steroids causing osteoporosis
68
What is a type D ADR?
Type D = delayed Seen some time after the use of the drug e.g. thalidomide taken in pregnancy, effects aren't seen until baby is born
69
What is a type E ADR?
Type E = end of use Occurs soon after the withdrawal of the drug e.g. opiate withdrawal
70
What is a type F ADR?
Type F = failure Often caused by drug interactions e.g. oral contraceptives and enzyme inducers
71
How should you respond to an ADR?
When any symptoms are expected to be an ADR after the drug is started, stopped, or dose increased... - asses for need of urgent care, review history, review adverse effect profile of suspected drug, modify dose/stop/swap - report all suspected and serious reactions using the yellow card system (important for patient safety)
72
What does the ABCDE stand for in the treatment of anaphylaxis?
A = airways (check for compromised) B = breathing (check resp rate) C = circulation (check heart rate and blood pressure) D = disability (level of consciousness) E = exposure (check for rash, and allergens)
73
What are the side effects of these common drugs: - NSAIDs - Antihistamines - ACEi - PPIs - Diuretics
- NSAIDs = GI upset and bleeding, renal impairment - Antihistamines = some can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause sedation - ACEi = dry cough due to bradykinin - PPIs = prolonged use in elderly can increase risk of fracture - Diuretics = increased frequency and dehydration
74
How do NSAIDs work?
NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin) are cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, so prevent the production of prostaglandins The inhibition of COX2 is useful (anti-inflammatory action) The inhibition of COX1 causes the adverse effects (gastric damage)
75
How do antihistamines work?
Antihistamines (e.g. cetirizine) are H1 receptor antagonists They prevent the release of histamine from storage granules in mast cells, so stop them causing an allergic reaction
76
What are the two categories of antibleeding drugs?
Anticoagulants Antiplatelets
77
Name two examples of anticoagulants and how they work
Warfarin (oral) - prevent the activation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, X Heparin (injectable) - activates antithrombin III, so inhibits thrombin
78
Give an example of an antiplatelet drug, and how it works
Aspirin - irreversible COX1 inhibitor, preventing aggregation of platelets
79
Give an example of an antiplatelet drug, and how it works
Aspirin - irreversible COX1 inhibitor, preventing aggregation of platelets

Phase 2a (14 decks)

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