Pharmacology Flashcards
Controlled Drugs
Drugs with potential to be abused
* regulated by both FDA and DEA
* classified as CI - CV
* CI have no applicable medical use
Five Rights
Drug administration should include the right:
1. drug
2. time
3. route
4. amount
5. patient
Pharmacokinetics
What the body does to the drugs and how it moves within the body
* absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME)
Therapeutic Index
Relationship of drugs ability for desired effect compared to toxic effect
* TI = LD (lethal dose) / ED (effective dose)
* higher TI = safer drug
First-Pass Effect
Drugs given orally travel to liver before reaching systemic circulation
* removed before affecting rest of body
* if doing extensively, drug should not be given orally
Pharmadynamics
What the drug does to the body and how it works
* effects of drug
* concentration-effect relationship
* mechanism of action
Drugs and Receptor Sites
- Agonist = causes reaction
- Antagonist = prevents reaction
Antimicrobial Drugs
Most commonly prescribed drug in vet med
* -cidal = kill
* -static = inhibit
Analgesic Drugs
Categories
- Opioids
- Nonsteroidal
- NSAIDs
- Local Anesthetics
- Alpha 2 Agnoists
Opioids
Most common analgesic drug in vet med
* receptors: mu, kappa, delta
* partial vs pure/full
Pure Agonist Opioids
Stimulate all opioid receptors
* mainly mu receptors
Partial Agonist Opioids
Bind to opioid receptors but less effective than pure
Pure Antagonist Opioids
Attach to but do not activate opioid receptors
* includes reverse agents for opioids
NSAIDs
Block prostaglandin formation via inhibition of Cox-1 and Cox-2
* cats do not metabolize as well - short term use but not chronic (meloxicam and onsior)
* common adverse effect = GI ulcers
Local Anesthetics
Only agents capable of completely blocking pain
* prevents signal from reaching CNS
Alpha 2 Agonist Drugs
Primarily cause sedation, but have some analgesic effects
* provide analgesia during all 4 pain pathways
* analgesia duration not as long as sedation
Pain Pathways
- Transduction
- Transmission
- Modulation
- Perception
Anticholinergics
Block actions of acetylcholine
* atropine
* glycopyrrolate
Neuromuscular Blocks
Cause skeletal muscle paralysis
* no effect on smooth or cardiac muscles
Atropine
- Anticholinergic
- Treats AV block
- Not effective in rabbits
- Treats organophosphate poisoning
Opioid
Common Drugs
- Butorphanol
- Buprenorphine
- Fentanyl
- Hydromorphone
Ketamine
- Dissociative agent
- Maintains reflexes and muscle tone - combine with other drugs to counter this
Alfaxalone
- Steroid anesthetic
- Used for induction and maintenance
Tiletamine / Telazol
- Dissociative / Benzodiazepine anesthetic
- Can be used alone for induction
- Similar effects to Ketamine
Diazepam
- Mild tranquilizer
- Can cause excitement and muscle relaxation
- Combine with Ketamine for induction - does not mix well with other drugs
- Can stimulate appetites in cats
- Not absorbed well IM
Midazolam
- Similar effects to Diazepam
- Can be mixed with other drugs
- Able to be given IM
Acepromazine
- Phenothiazine drug
- Major tranquilizer
- Long acting
- No reversal
- Stings if given IM
Dexmedetomidine
Also called Dexdomitor
* Alpha 2 Agonist
* True sedative
* Provides analgesia
* Significant cardiovascular effect
Xylazine
Trade Name: Rompun
* alpha 2 agonist
* used in large animal for sedation
Phenobarbital
- Controlled - Barbiturate
- Drug of choice for epilepsy
- May be used for status seizures
- Long lasting
Levetiracetam
Trade Name: Keppra
* treats status seizures
Bromides
Sodium or Potassium
* not FDA approved in US
* manages epilepsy
* not commonly used for cats
Zonisamide
Used for epilepsy
Guaifenesin
- Muscle relaxant
- Used for induction in large animals
- Expectorant (cough medicine) when given orally
Methocarbamol
- Skeletal muscle relaxant
- May cause sedation
Adrenergic Agents
Mimic effects of sympathetic nervous system
Cardiovascular Drug
Types
- Antiarrhythmics
- Diuretics
- Positive Inotropes
- Vasodilators
- ACE Inhibitors
Antiarrhythmics
Cardiovascular Drug
* restore normal impulse conduction
Diuretics
Reduce edema and effusion associated with chronic heart failure
* Furosemide (Lasix)
* Spironolactone
Positive Inotropes
Cardiovascular Drugs
* increase strength of contraction
Pimobendan
Positive inotrope
* trade name: Vetmedin
* manages CHF secondary to valve disease
Epinephrine
Adrenergic Agent
* main drug used in CPR
* produces vasoconstriction - keeps drug in longer and reduces bleeding
Norepinephrine
Adrenergic Agent
*primary drug to treat sepsis
* must be diluted
Glycopyrrolate
Anticholinergic
* treats sinus bradycardia or AV block
* slower onset than atropine
Amlodipine
- Vasodilator
- Treats hypertension in cats
- Caution to use in those with heart failure or cardiogenic shock
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
* cardiovascular drugs
* used to treat CHF and systemic hypertension
* Benazapril and Enalapril
Lidocaine
- Mainly used as a local anesthetic
- Given IV - treatment for ventricular tachycardia
Respiratory Drugs
Classes
- Antitussives
- Expectorants
- Mucolytics
- Bronchodilators
Antitussives
Suppress coughs
* not to be used if mucus or productive cough
* narcotic vs non-narcotic
Expectorants
Increase volume of respiratory secretions
* easier to expell when coughed up
* Guaifenesin is available OTC as cough medicine
Mucolytics
Respiratory drugs that reduce viscosity of secretions
Bronchodilators
Reduce bronchospasms and make it easier to breath
* albuterol
Omeprazole
Antiulcer Drug
* reduces gastric acid
Metoclopramide
- Prokinetic - stimulates GI
- Don’t use if GI obstruction
- Also has antiemetic properties
Lomotil
- Antidiarrheal opiate (C-V)
- Reduces gut motility
- Small amount of Atropine present - helps reduce narcotic effects
Apomorphine
Emetic Drug
* if initial dose is not effective do not give more
* more does not mean effective and can induce toxicity
Ursodiol
Increases the flow of bile
Fiber
Bulk-producing agents
* increase water content in stool
* stimulates peristalsis of GI tract
Ivermectin
- Heartworm prevention
- Internal parasites - except cestodes and liver flukes
- Collies and similar breeds may have adverse reactions
Selamectin
- Revolution (Topical)
- Fleas and Ear Mites
- Heartworm
- Sarcoptic Mange
- Hookworm and Roundworms in cats
- Safe for collies sensitive to Ivermectin
Milbemycin Oxime
- Interceptor or Sentinel
- Heartworm prevention - may cause shock if large infestation
- Hooks, Rounds, and Whips
Lufenuron
Interrupts flea life cycle
Capstar
Kills majority of adult fleas within short period of time
Amitraz
Topical treatment of Demodex
* can be toxic to cats and rabbits
Benzimidazole
- Panacur / Fenbendazole
- Treats rounds, some tapes and lungs
- Large and small strongyles
Praziquantel
- Droncit
- Treats tapeworms
Pyrantel
Ingredient in Heartgard
* protects against rounds and hooks
Immiticide
Treatment for heartworm
* thromboembolism possible after treatment
* increased activity increases this risk
Reproductive Drug
Hormones
- Estrogens
- Progestins
- Prostaglandins
- Oxytocin
Estrogens
Treatments
- Horses: induce estrus during off-season breeding
- Spayed Dogs: treat conditions like urinary incontinence
Progestins
Regulates estrous cycle
* return back to normal cycle
* skip / prevent a cycle
Prostaglandins
Lysis corpus luteum
* starts new estrous cycle or causes abortion
Oxytocin
Causes uterine contraction and milk letdown
* not helpful if cervix not dilated
Vasopressin
- Pituitary hormone
- Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes
- Also can treat refractory shock and CPR
Vetoryl
- Trilostane
- Treats hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)
Selegiline
- Anipryl
- Treats hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)
- Also helps canine cognitive dysfunction
Hypothyroidism
Decreased thyroid function
* primary = thyroid gland diseased
* secondary = pituitary gland diseased
Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid function is increased
* thyroidectomy usual treatment
* radioactive iodine = kills tumor cells in thyroid gland along with normal cells
Corticosteroids
Have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects
* hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s)
* use with NSAIDs increases risk of GI ulcers
Types of Vaccines
Killed
* safest
* less effective than other forms
Modified-Live / Live
* more effective
* more likely to induce disease / be dangerous to pregnant animals
Ophthalmic Agents
- Mydriatics = dilate pupil
- Miotics = constricts pupil
- Cyclosporine = increase tear production
- Do not use those with steriods if ulcer present
Neutraceuticals
- Non-drug substance
- Do not require testing by FDA
Atipamezole
Antisedan
* reversal of Dexmedetomidine (dexdomitor)
Calcium EDTA
Treats lead poisoning
Flumazenil
Reverses benzodiazepines
* diazepam and midazolam
Naloxone
Trade Name: Narcan
* reversal for opioids
Yohimbine
Reversal of Xylazine
