Pharmacology

Question 1

What S/E does lithium commonly cause

Answer 1

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Question 2

What main S/E does carbamazepine cause and what are other S/Es

Answer 2

SIADH
N + V
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache

Question 3

How is nifedipine metabolised

Answer 3

CYP3A4 cytochrome P450 isoenzyme

Question 4

What type of juice is contraindicated in drugs metabolised by the CYP34A P450 isoenzyme (such as nifedipine and simvastatin

Answer 4

Grapefruit juice
It inhibits the enzyme

Question 5

What is the pharmacological mechanism of tolterodine and what is this drug used for

Answer 5

Bladder instability
Muscarinic antagonist

Question 6

What is the action of celecoxib and when would an example of this be used

Answer 6

Sodium retention by inhibiting secretion
Reduces risk of heterotopic ossification in patients post fracture and surgical fixation

Question 7

Primary action of allopurinol

Answer 7

Inhibits urate production

Question 8

In the context of a drug overdose, what does activated charcoal do

Answer 8

Reduce further absorption of overdosed substances

Question 9

What strongly indicates a need for repeated oral activated charcoal administration

Answer 9

In cases where the drug circulates through the enterohepatic circulation

Question 10

Major pharmacological mode of aspirin

Answer 10

cycloxygenase 1 and 2 inhibition

Question 11

Causes of drug induced lupus

Answer 11

Hydralazine
Procainamide
Phenytoin
Ethosuximide

Question 12

What can reduce the chance of tumour lysis syndrome pre chemotherapy

Answer 12

Pre hydration
Allopurinol or rasburicase (latter in high risk patients)

Question 13

Treatment of mycoplasma

Answer 13

Clarithromycin
Doxycycline

Question 14

Action of haloperidol

Answer 14

Chemoreceptor trigger zone

Question 15

Drugs that act at the chemoreceptor trigger zone

Answer 15

Haloperidol
Promethazine
Domperidone

Question 16

Mechanism of action of cyclizine

Answer 16

Blocks cholinergic pathways

Question 17

S/e carbimazole

Answer 17

Nausea
Rash / Itchiness
Arthalgia
Alopecia
Agranulocytosis
Jaundice

Question 18

What is carbimazole used to treat

Answer 18

Hyperthyroidism

Question 19

Mechanism of action of terlipressin in hepatorenal syndrome

Answer 19

Decreases plasma renin activity

Question 20

Features of phenytoin pharmacology

Answer 20

Has very high protein binding
(phenytoin levels measure both free and protein binded levels)
So is subject to slow elimination of the drug

Question 21

Features of ethambutol toxicity

Answer 21

Hyperuricaemia
Visual disturbance (optic neuropathy - fundoscopy often normal)

Question 22

What is indometacin

Answer 22

NSAID

Question 23

What liver picture can augmentin cause

Answer 23

Obstructive

Question 24

Treatment of hypertensive crisis

Answer 24

IV sodium nitroprusside

Question 25

S/Es of long term use of phenyotin

Answer 25

Gum hypertrophy
Folate deficiency
Osteomalacia
Coarse facial features
Neuropathy
Aplastic anaemia (rarely)

Question 26

Features of theophylline toxicity

Answer 26

Severe N + V
Seizures
Myoclonus
Hyperthermia
Rhabdomyolysis
AKI

Question 27

S/E metoclopramide

Answer 27

Extrapyramidal effects (especially in children and young adults)
Hyperprolactinaemia
Tardive dyskinesia
Drowsiness
Restlessness
Diarrhoea
Depression
Neuroepileptic malignant syndrome
Rashes
Puritis
Oedema

Question 28

Drug causes of galactorrhoea

Answer 28

Metoclopramide
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
a-methyldopa
Opioids
Fluoxetine
Ranitidine

Question 29

Effects of rifampicin on INR and how

Answer 29

Lowers INR
Powerful enzyme inducer

Question 30

Drugs that cause an increased INR

Answer 30

Ciprofloxacin
Metronidazole
Allopurinol
Cimetidine

Question 31

What chemotherapy agents are known to promote the effects of radiation therapy

Answer 31

Dactinomycin
Metronidazole
5-fluorouracil
Gemcitabine
Cisplatin
Hydroxyurea
Paclitaxel
Mitomycin C
Topotecan