Pharmacology Flashcards
What is the generic name in terms of medicine?
The active ingredient
What is the trade name in terms of medicine?
The name the manufacturer has given it
What are antimicrobial drugs?
Used to treat microbial infections
What are antibacterials (antibiotics)?
Used to treat bacterial infections
What is bacteriostatic?
Stops the bacteria from multiplying, making it easier for the hosts defence to kill the bacteria
What is bactericidal?
Kills the bacteria
What are broad-spectrum antibiotics?
Effective against a wide range of bacteria
What are narrow spectrum antibiotics and why are these preferable?
• Only effective against a particular group of bacteria
• Reduces the chance of antibiotic resistance
What can a nurse do to reduce antimicrobial resistance?
• Practise good hygiene
• Use aseptic techniques
• Client education
What are antifungals?
Used to treat yeast and fungal infections such as dermatophytosis (ringworm) and malassezia
What are some examples of antifungals?
• Nystatin
• Clotrimazole
• Econazole
• Miconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Itraconazole
What are antivirals and how are they disposed of?
• Drugs that kill infections (limited use, expensive)
• Purple lidded waste bin
What is Interfon omega licensed to treat?
• Canine parvovirus
• FIV/FeLV
What are ectoparasiticides?
Kill parasites that live on the outside of the body such as mites, fleas, mice and ticks
What are anthelmintics?
Treat worms such as roundworms, tapeworms and lungworm
What is the public health risk regarding roundworms (nematodes)?
• Humans can be infected by Toxocara by ingesting eggs in an infected animal’s faeces
• A condition called visceral larval migrans can develop where the larvae hatch and migrate around the body
• Blindness can occur in children if larvae migrate to the retina
What are some examples of effective NFA-VPS products for roundworms?
• Fenbendazole
• Piperazine
• Pyrantel
What are the 3 main species of tapeworms (cestodes) and what are their immediate hosts?
• Taenia - rodents
• Dipylidium - fleas
• Echinococcus - sheep
What are some examples of effective NFA-VPS products for tapeworms?
• Praziquantel
• Fenbendazole (Taenia only)
What are some examples of effective NFA-VPS products for fleas?
• Fipronil/pyripole
• Imidacloprid
What are the two most commonly seen protozoa in small animals?
• Giardia
• Toxoplasma
What are some examples of commonly treated eye conditions?
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal ulcers
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
What are some examples of antibiotics in eye drops?
• Fusidic acid
• Gentamycin
• Cloxacillin
What are some examples of treatment for dry eye and corneal ulcers?
• Cyclosporin (immunomodulator) - dry eye
• Hyaluronic acid drops - dry eye/corneal ulcers
• Anti-collagenase drops - corneal ulcers
What are the active ingredients that are often contained in ear treatment?
• Antibiotic
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
What are some examples of conditions affecting the skin?
• Ectoparasites
• Pyoderma - antibiotics needed
What are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)?
• Drugs that inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme which is involved in the production of prostaglandins
• They reduce inflammation and temperature and relieve pain
What are the side effects of NSAIDS?
• Risk of gastro-intensional haemorrhage
• Occasionally renal damage
What are corticosteroids?
• Synthetic forms of cortisol
• Suppress inflammatory mediators and suppress the immune system at high doses
What can happen if corticosteroids are used long-term?
• Can suppress the adrenal gland meaning the patient stops producing its own cortisol
• Can result in an adrenal crisis if they are withdrawn suddenly
What can corticosteroids be used for?
• Relieve pruritis (anti-pruritic)
• Treats allergies
• Auto-immune disease
• As an adjunct to chemotherapy
What are the side effects of corticosteroids?
• Increased appetite causing weight gain
• Polyuria and polydipsia
• Gastric upsets and ulceration
• Decreased resistance to infection
What can happen if corticosteroids are used at high doses long-term?
Iatrogenic (vet induced) Cushing’s disease from glucocorticoid levels being too high
What are antihistamines?
• Manage allergic skin disease
• Treat allergic reactions
What is the action of calcium channel blockers? What are some examples?
• Reduces myocardial contractility, slows heart rate and creates vasodilation
• Diltiazem, amlodipine
What is the action of anti-arrhythmics? What are some examples?
• Restores normal heart rhythm
• Lidocaine, digoxin
What is the action of ACE-inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme)? What is an example?
• Dilates blood vessels, reduces fluid retention
• Benazepril
What is the action of positive inotropes? What is an example?
• Increases myocardial contractility
• Pimobendan
What is the action of diuretics? What is an example?
• Increases urine production, reduces oedema
• Frusemide
What is the action of bronchodilators? What are some examples?
• Dilates airways
• Terbutaline, salbutamol
What is the action of mucolytics and expectorants? What is an example?
• Breaks down mucous
• Bromhexine
What is the action of antitussives? What are some examples?
• Suppresses coughing
• Codeine, butorphanol
What are emetics? Which medicine is licensed for dogs?
• Causes vomiting in cases of poisoning
• Apomorphine
What are anti-emetics? What are some examples?
• Suppresses vomiting
• Cerenia, prevomax(maropitant)
How does Metoclopramide act as an anti-emetic? When should it not be used?
• Increases gastric emptying and gut contractions in an aboral direction
• When an animal has a blockage/foreign body
What are antacids? What are some examples?
• Reduce the production of acid
• Cimetidine, omeprazole
What are gastroprotectants? What is an example?
• Line the stomach
• Sucralfate
What is Loperamide?
• Treats diarrhoea
• Slows gastro-intestinal motility
What is Metronidazole?
• Treats diarrhoea
• Antibiotic with an immunomodulatory effect on the bowel
What drug is used for constipation?
Lactulose
What is Mirtazapine?
Transdermal gel used in cats to stimulate appetite
What are anticonvulsants (anti-epileptics)?
Prevent or reduce seizure activity by raising the seizure threshold in the brain
What are the side effects of Phenobarbitone?
• Induces the enzymes that metabolise it, so increases its own metabolism
• Can be hepatotoxic (liver)
• Withdrawal seizures
What is diazepam?
Short term, quick acting anticonvulsant
What is propofol?
• Most commonly used as an anaesthetic drug
• Can be used in cases of status epilepticus that are refractory to diazepam
What is Imepitoin?
A newer anticonvulsant which is safer for the liver and does not induce enzymes
What can behaviour modifying drugs be used for?
• Aggression
• Noise phobia
• Separation anxiety
• Inappropriate elimination
• Destructive behaviour
What are some examples of licensed behaviour modifying drugs?
• Clomipramine (separation anxiety)
• Fluoxetine hydrochloride (separation anxiety)
• Selegiline hydrochloride
• Dexmedetomidine (noise phobia)
• Tasipimidine (situational anxiety)
• Pregabalin (transportation for cats)
What are sympathomimetic drugs? What is an example?
• Mimics the sympathetic nervous system so prevents urination
• Phenylpropanolamine - treats urinary incontinence in spayed bitches
What are parasympathomimetic drugs? What is an example?
• Mimic the parasympathetic nervous system so facilitate urination
• Bethanechol - used in cases of nerve damage to the bladder
What drug can be used for misalliance (unwanted mating)?
Aglepristone - inhibits progesterone
What drug can be used for false pregnancy’s?
Cabergoline - inhibits prolactin
What drug can be used for chemical castration?
Deslorelin implant
