Pharmacology Flashcards
What type of hypersensitivity is the immediate phase of an asthma attack?
Type 1 hypersensitivity
What type of hypersensitivity is the delayed phase of an asthma attack?
Type 4 sensitivity
What is a SABA and give 2 examples?
Short acting beta 2 agonist
Salbutamol and terbutaline
Are SABAs used in asthma or COPD?
Mainly asthma but can occasionally be used in COPD
What actions do SABAs have? (5)
1) Relax airway smooth muscle by agonising beta 2 adrenoceptors on airway smooth muscle
2) Decrease mucus secretions by agonising beta 2 adrenoceptors on goblet cells
3) Increase mucocillary clearance
4) Reduction in intracellular Ca++ concentration
5) Activation of large conductance potassium channels => hyperpolarisation
Side effects of SABAs?
Beta agonist tremor
Tachycardia
Hypokalemia
dysrhythmia
What is a LABA and give 2 examples?
Long acting beta agonist
Salmeterol and formoterol
Are LABAs used in asthma or COPD?
Both
First line in COPD
Second line in asthma
You can give a LABA as monotherapy in asthma. True or false?
False- NEVER give a LABA alone
What is a leukotriene?
Leukotrienes are dirived from mast cells and other inflammatory cells and cause mucus secretion, smooth muscle contraction and oedema. Examples include LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4
What is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and give an example?
A drug which binds to Cys Leukotriene receptors preventing the binding of leukotrienes and preventing muscle contraction in the airway.
Montelukast
Are leukotriene receptor antagonists used in asthma or COPD?
Asthma ONLY
Add on therapy against early and delayed bronchospasm
used in moderate - severe asthma
Can be used in allergic rhinitis
How are leukotriene receptor antagonists administered?
Orally
What is the action of methylxanthines and give 2 examples?
Have bronchodilator and anti inflammatory actions
Unknown molecular mechanism which may involve inhibition of isoforms of PDE
Aminophyline and theophyline
Are methylxanthines used in asthma or COPD?
Asthma mostly but can be used in COPD
Why are methylxanthines not used frequently?
High therapeutic index and have many adverse effects involving the CNS, CVS and GI tract.
Drug interactions involving CYP450 (don’t give with erythromycin/ flucloxacillin)
How are methylxanthines administered?
Orally
How do steroids work briefly?
They have trans activating or transrepressing activity of specific inflammatory or anti-inflamatory genes