Pharmacology Flashcards
What are chemical agents?
Substances that interact with a specific target within a biological system to produce a physiological effect
What is heroin?
Diamorphine
What is mechanism of heroin?
Acts on mu-opiod receptors, that are spread in discrete groups throughout the brain spinal core and gut. Diamoprhine are agonists to four endogenous neurotransmitters
What are the target regions for Heroin?
Peri-aqeductal grey region
Ventral tegmental area
Solitary nucleus
What is the function of the peri-aqueductal grey region?
Responsible for pain organisation (Analgesia)
What region is responsible for euphoria?
Ventral term,emntal area, innate reward pathway
What is the purpose of the solitary nucleus?
Irritant information of sensory neurones in airways
Cough suppression
What principle do drugs abide?
Principle of selectivity by binding onto specific target proteins: Receptors, enzymes, transport proteins and ion channels
What are the two main functions of drugs?
Enhance activation or prevent activation
What is the function of Atorvastatin?
Substrate that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, rate limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis
What is the function of Amlodipine?
Calcium channel blocker, stops contraction ,vasoconstriction is reduced lowering blood pressure
What receptor does Salbutamol bind to?
Beta-2 adrenergic receptors
What is the mechanism of Salbutamol?
Binds to beta-2 adrenergic receptors (Stimulatory G protein) on bronchial smooth muscle cell, within the airways
Dilates trachea, enhance activation
What is the function of Citalopram?
Used for depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Blocks transport protein from removing serotonin from the synapse
Which three molecules resemble stereochemical similarities?
Dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline
What are endogenous substances?
Delivered directly to receptors
What is the problem with drug administration?
Generalised effect due to entering systemic circulation, thus has potential to influence alternative receptors
What is a side effect?
Effect produced by the drug that is secondary to the intended effect
Can exert deleterious consequences are termed as adversed effect
What are off-target effects?
Binds to alternative receptors and expresses secondary effect
What is pramipexole?
Dopamine receptor agonist
Why do endogenous substances have a rapid acute effect?
Metabolised relatively quickly
What receptor sites can pramipexole bind to?
Serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine
What occurs during increasing dosage?
Results in stimulation of alternative receptors, stimulates further responses and off-target effects
What are the safest drugs?
Large difference between the dose required to induce the desired effect
Dose required to induce adverse effects
