Pharmacology Flashcards
Define pharmacology
The study of substances that interact with living systems through chemical processes, especially by binding to regulatory molecules and activating or inhibiting normal body processes.
define medical pharmacology
the science of substances used to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
Define toxicology
branch of pharmacology that deals with undesirable effects of chemical on living systems, from cells to humans to ecosystems.
What is diphenhydramine?
Benadryl, Sominex: a first gen anti-histamine used for tx of allergic rhinitis, sneezing, itching, urticaria, motion sickness, insomnia
What is the mechanism of action of diphenhydramine?
H1 receptor inverse agonist that stabilizes inactive conformation of H1 receptors, blocking effects of histamine on H1 in the GI tract, large bv’s, bronchial smooth muscle, uterus, and suppresses the formation of edema, flare, and pruritus.
Produces sedation in CNS
Antimuscarinic effects: relieves nausea, vomiting, and vertigo associated with motion sickness. Also has anti-Parkingsonian effects
Adverse reactions of diphenhydramine
CNS: confusion, dizziness, sedation
Antimuscarinic effects: myriasis, xerostomia, reduced bronchial secretions, tachycardia, constipation, urinary retention.
Precautions of diphenhydramine
Asthma, heart disease, hepatic disease, glaucoma, bladder obstruction, urinary retention, or in infants (SIDS)
Pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine
Hepatic metabolism by CYP2D6, can be taken PO, topically, IV, or IM. PO onset 15-30 minutes, duration of 4-6 hours.
What is Cetirizine?
Zyrtec: a 2nd gen antihistamine, the active metabolite of first gen hydroxyzine for tx of allergic conditions. Also has sedation effects, but much less sedating than older anti-histamines. Zyrtec-D when formulated with pseudo ephedrine.
Mechanism of action of Cetirizine
H1 receptor inverse agonist, stabilizing inactive form of receptor and blocking histamine effects. Minimal antimuscarinic effects.
Pharmacokinetics of Cetirizine
PO tabs, usually 5-10 mg QD, last 24 hours. Low CNS accumulation, effluxed via P-glycoproteins pumps. 50% metabolized in liver by CYP3A4
Adverse effects and counter indications of Cetirizine
Few adverse reactions, CNS high doses can lead to sedation or fatigue, xerostomia. Avoid if renal CrCL is
What is Fexofenadine?
2nd generation antihistamine; active metabolite terfenadine. TX for allergic conditions (rhinitis, sneezing, itching, urticaria)
Mechanism of action of fexofenadine
H1 receptor inverse agonist, stabilizes the inactive conformation of H1 receptors; blocks the effects of histamine on H1 receptors in the GI tract, uterus, large blood vessels, and bronchial muscle and suppresses the formation of edema, flare, and pruritus. Virtually no antimuscarinic activity at therapeutic doses.
Pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine
Administered PO as tabs, disintegrating tabs, or suspension, usually 30-60 mg BID or 180 mg QD; duration
Adverse effects and counter indications of fexofenadine
Few adverse reactions. GI: nausea, dyspepsia (1.5%). CNS: drowsiness, sedation (1.3%)
Decrease dose in patients with decreased renal function
Avoid taking with fruit juices, get decreased absorption
What is loratadine?
2nd generation antihistamine. TX for allergic conditions (rhinitis, sneezing, itching, urticaria). Formulated with pseudoephedrine as Claritin-D®. Desloratidine (Clarinex®) is active metabolite of loratidine.
Mechanism of action of loratadine
H1 receptor inverse agonist, stabilizes the inactive conformation of H1 receptors; blocks the effects of histamine on H1 receptors in the GI tract, uterus, large blood vessels, and bronchial muscle and suppresses the formation of edema, flare, and pruritus. Little or no antimuscarinic activity at therapeutic doses.
Pharmacokinetics of loratadine?
Administered PO as tabs, disintegrating tabs, or syrup, usually 10 mg QD; duration > 24 hr. Low CNS accumulation; effluxed from the CNS via the P-glycoprotein pump system. Extensive CYP3A4 metabolism in liver → drug interactions.
Adverse effects and counterindications of loratadine
Few adverse reactions. CNS: headache, sedation. Xerostomia (3%).
Hepatic disease.
If CrCL
What is cimetidine?
First commercially available drug for peptic ulcer disease. Indicated for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, intermittent dyspepsia.
Mechanism of action of Cimetidine
Inverse agonist, reduces constitutive activation of H2 receptors on parietal cells. Decreases acid secretion by 60-70%.
Pharmacokinetics of Cimetidine
Available for PO or IV dosing, usually 100-400 mg BID-QID or 800 mg HS. Nonselective inhibitor of CYP enzymes → many drug interactions possible.
Newer H2 blockers (ranitidine, nizatidine, famotidine) have little or no CYP inhibition.
~ 48% is excreted unchanged in the urine
Adverse effects and counter indications of Cimetidine
Moderate-to-severe headaches (3%). Rare blood dyscrasias: neutropenia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia.
Hepatic disease
Renal insufficiency
What is Ergotamine?
Ergot alkaloid used to relieve migraines; ~ 70% effective in controlling acute attacks
Mechanism of action of ergotamine.
MOA is complex; some of the pharmacologic actions are unrelated to each other and some actions are even mutually antagonistic. Partial agonist or antagonist activity at 5-HT, DA, and a-adrenergic receptors; causes vasoconstriction of arteries and veins and ↓ blood flow to the extremities. Oxytocic agent: ↑ force and frequency of uterine contractions, ↓ postpartum bleeding by constricting the placental vascular bed
Pharmacokinetics of ergotamine.
Formulated alone or with caffeine, atropine, and/or pentobarbital; administered PO or SL; absorption is incomplete and erratic. Migraine relief is obtained in 30-120 min; vasoconstricting effects last ~ 48 hr. Ergotamine is mostly metabolized by CYP3A4.
Adverse effects and counter indications of ergotamine.
GI: NVD (10%), xerostomia
Ergotism: angina, asthenia, coronary vasospasm, cramps, myalgia, paresthesias, changes in HR; vasoconstriction may result in hypothermia or tissue necrosis.
CV: angina, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud’s disease, thrombophlebitis, MI, stroke
Hepatic disease, biliary tract disease, cholestasis
Renal failure or impairment
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category X
What is Sumatriptan?
Approved for the TX of acute migraine with or without aura; give ASAP after onset.
Not for long-term migraine prophylaxis
Mechanism of action of Sumatriptan.
Agonist at presynaptic 5-HT1D autoreceptors and at vascular 5-HT1B receptors → vasoconstriction
Pharmacokinetics of Sumatriptan.
Available PO, SC, or as nasal spray; PO dose of 25-100 mg give ~ 70% pt response rate after 60 min
SC gives most consistent peak blood levels; onset of pain relief after SC injection within ~ 10 min, and as many as 80% of patients experience relief within 60 min
Approximately 80% of a dose undergoes hepatic metabolism, mostly by MAO-A. Excretion of metabolites is via feces and urine.
Adverse effects and counter indications of Sumatriptan.
Potentially fatal CV events: coronary artery vasospasm, arrhythmias, MI, cardiac arrest.
GI: NVD, vasospastic effects leading to bowel ischemia, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and cramping.
Injection site reaction (50%): pain, burning.
CV: angina, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud’s disease, thrombophlebitis, MI, stroke; evaluate CV function before prescribing
Ischemic bowel disease
Hepatic disease
Renal insufficiency
What is natural hydrocortisone and what does it do?
the main glucocorticoid in humans, released from adrenals by adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Stimulates gluconeogenesis → ↑ blood glucose, ↑ insulin secretion
Promotes lipolysis and lipogenesis → ↑ fat deposition
Stimulates protein, bone catabolism
CNS: ↑ mood, ↑ motor activity, ↓ sleep, ↓ memory
Immunosuppressive, antiinflammatory effects
What is medicinal hydrocortisone?
Natural steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex
Main uses are antiinflammatory: anaphylaxis, asthma, COPD, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic disorders, dermatoses (pruritus, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, insect stings). DOC for glucocorticoid replacement therapy in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Low potency topical corticosteroids are the safest for chronic use and may be used in infants and young children
Mechanism of action of hydrocortisone.
Acts via nuclear receptors to modulate gene expression
Anti-inflammatory: represses COX-2 expression; ↓ cytokine production, decreased formation and release of endogenous inflammatory mediators; causes apoptosis of eosinophils
Pharmacokinetics of hydrocortisone
Available in various forms for IV, IM, PO, or topical administration. Biological half-life of hydrocortisone is 8-12 hr.
Adverse effects and counterindications of hydrocortisone
Essentially none, even with large doses, if given for
What is prednisone?
Immunosuppressive oral corticosteroid; most-prescribed oral corticosteroid. TX for autoimmune disorders, allograft rejection, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory states.
Mechanism of action of prednisone
Prodrug of prednisolone, must be metabolized in vivo to prednisolone. Acts via nuclear receptors to modulate gene expression.
Anti-inflammatory: represses COX-2 expression; ↓ cytokine production, decreased formation and release of endogenous inflammatory mediators; causes apoptosis of eosinophils.
Pharmacokinetics of prednisone
Given PO, doses range from 5-100 mg QD depending on disease. Metabolized in the liver to prednisolone
t1/2 ~ 18-36 hr.