pharmacology

Question 1

define pharmacodynamics

Answer 1

› Appreciate the importance of pharmacokinetic parameters
- Clearance, volume of distribution, half-life, bioavailability, protein binding
• What the drug does to the body
• Relationship between concentration and effect

Question 2

define pharmacokinetics

Answer 2

Understand the pharmacokinetic processes that influence response to medicines
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
• What the body does to the drug
• Relationship between dose and concentration

Question 3

define haf life

Answer 3

▪Time taken for concentration or the amount of drug in the body (or the plasma conc.) to decrease by 50%

Question 4

define tolerance

Answer 4

Drug tolerance is a pharmacological concept describing subjects’ reduced reaction to a drug following its repeated use. Increasing its dosage may re-amplify the drug’s effects, however this may accelerate tolerance, further reducing the drug’s effects.

Question 5

define dependence

Answer 5

a state in which an organism functions normally only in the presence of a drug. Mnifested as a physical disturbance when the drug is removed (withdrawl)

Question 6

Blood brain barrier drug choise

Answer 6

– Helps maintain stable environment for brain
– Separates neurons from some bloodborne substances
– Composition
– Continuous endothelium of
capillary walls
– Thick basal lamina around capillaries
– Feet of astrocytes
• Provide signal to endothelium for formation of tight junctions
– Selective barrier
– Allows nutrients to move by facilitated diffusion
– Metabolic wastes, proteins, toxins, most drugs, small nonessential amino acids, K+ denied
– Allows any fat-soluble substances to pass, including alcohol, nicotine, and anesthetics
– Absent in some areas, e.g., vomiting center and hypothalamus, where necessary to monitor chemical composition of blood

Question 7

why dopamine have difficulty crossing BBB

Answer 7

– Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine, so why do we not given dopamine itself?
– Levodopa can cross the BBB where it is converted into dopamine.
– However, problems still remain as when levodopa enters the bloodstream, it is metabolised via two major pathways:
– Dopa-decarboxylase (DDC)
– Catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT)
- The addition of a DDC inhibitor allows for: – higher brain levels of levodopa
– less of the peripheral dopamine mediated AEs
oral levodopa, competition for transport across the BBB with larger neutral amino acids limits the amount of levodopa reaching the striatum

Question 8

first line therapy for parkinson’s disease

Answer 8

– The overall goal in PD management is to improve motor and non-motor symptoms so that patients are able to achieve the best possible QOL.
– Although medications have a key role, non-pharmacological therapies- education and support systems have an important role to play.
– A multidisciplinary team approach is considered to be the most effective way to optimise symptom management for patients, and provide support for their families and carers.

Question 9

what is the purpose of generic name

Answer 9

The generic name is the one doctors are trained to use. There are sometimes many brand (trade) names for one medicine. Possible confusion or mistakes are reduced if all doctors use the same names when talking about and prescribing medicines.

Question 10

antimicrobial

Answer 10

• bacteriostatic  inhibits the spread of infection by suppressing growth and replication of bacteria
• bactericidal  kills pathogen/bacteria

Question 11

empirical VS directed arntimicobial therapy

Answer 11

– Empiric antimicrobial therapy = antimicrobials prescribed before identifying the actual organism (or type of organism) causing infection
• Often the starting treatment for many infections
• Based on most likely pathogens
• Microbiological and other investigations can help refine subsequent therapy
– Directed antimicrobial therapy = antimicrobials prescribed after identification of the organism (or type of organism) causing infection, usually with information on antimicrobial
susceptibilities

Question 12

What antibiotics should be used while she is in hospital to treat her mRSA?
What dose would you suggest?

Answer 12

Vancomycin 1g 12 hourly

Check kidney function (especially in an aboriginal patient with diabetes and hypertension)-assume CrCl is 60-90 mL/min

Question 13

5 right when giving medication

Answer 13

1. pt
2. dose
3. frequency
4. route
5. time