Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the actions of insulin?

A
  • simulates amino acid uptake by cells
  • protein formation
  • conversion of glucose to fat in adipose tissue
  • induces glucose uptake and utilisation by cells
  • lowers blood glucose levels
  • promotes glycogen formation
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2
Q

What are the two categories of type 2 DM drugs?

A
  • insulin-dependent: increase secretion of insulin or decrease insulin resistance
  • non insulin-dependent: slow glucose absorption or enhance glucose excretion by the kidneys
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3
Q

What is the process of secretion of insulin?

A
  • elevation of blood glucose
  • increased diffusion of glucose into beta cell by fac.diff with GLUT2
  • phosphorylation of glucose by glucokinase
  • glycolysis of glucose-6-phosphate to give ATP
  • ATP causes closure of K+ channels so membrane depolarisation
  • Ca2+ channels open and Ca2+ moves in
  • insulin secretion
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4
Q

What are the features of sulphonylureas?

A
  • insulin secretagogues
  • eg tolbutamide
  • cause Katp channel closure so there is more insulin and less blood glucose
  • oral, different lengths of action
  • reduce microvascular complications long-term
  • can cause hypo eg in patients with reduced hepatic or renal function
  • used in patients who can’t have metformin or used with metformin
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5
Q

What are the features of glinides?

A
  • cause closure of Katp so there is less insulin release
  • eg repaglinide
  • oral, rapid onset for after a meal
  • can be used with metformin
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6
Q

What is the normal pathway with GLP-1 and GIP in the body?

A
  • ingestion stimulated release of GLP-1 and GIP from SI
  • enhances insulin release to there is more glucose uptake
  • GLP-1 decreases glucagon so there is decreased glucose
  • overall DECREASE in blood glucose
  • this process is decreased in diabetes
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7
Q

What do DPP-4 inhibitors do?

A
  • inhibits the enzyme that terminated GLP-1 and GIP so they can work harder to decrease blood glucose
  • used less than other drugs
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8
Q

What are the features of incretin analogues?

A
  • mimic the action of GLP-1
  • increase insulin, decrease glucagon, slow gastric emptying and decrease appetite
  • SC and don’t cause hypo
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9
Q

What are the features of biguanides?

A
  • eg metformin
  • decreases micro complications
  • oral
  • doesn’t cause hypo
  • causes weight loss
  • can be combined with other medications
  • can cause GI upsets
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10
Q

What are the actions of biguanides?

A
  • decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis
  • decreases glucose uptake by skeletal muscle
  • decreases carbohydrate absorption
  • increases fatty acid oxidation
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11
Q

What are the features of thiazolidinediones?

A
  • enhance insulin’s action and activate PPARgamma
  • activated PPARy acts as a transcription factor to promote coding of insulin signalling molecules
  • doesn’t cause hypo
  • can cause increase in weight, fluid retention and fractures
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12
Q

What are the actions of thiazolidinediones?

A
  • promotes fatty acid storage in adipocytes
  • decreases hepatic glucose
  • enhances peripheral glucose uptake
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13
Q

What are the features of SGLT2 inhibitors?

A
  • not dependent on insulin
  • block reabsorption of glucose in proximal tubule so there is decrease in glucose and the patient will pee out sugar
  • cardiovascular benefit
  • there is no risk of hypo
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14
Q

How do sulphonylureas cause hypo?

A

beta cells make insulin despite the glucose level so this causes hypo

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15
Q

Why do incretins not cause hypo?

A

they cause an increase in insulin when there is already a trigger so there is no hypo risk

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16
Q

Which drug classes cause weight loss and cardiovascular gain?

A

SGLT2i and DPP-4i

17
Q

What drug is given for high BP in diabetes?

A

ALWAYS ACEI no matter what age the patient is

18
Q

What drug is always given to patients over 40 with diabetes?

A

a statin

19
Q

What can cause a low EGFR with metformin?

A

the drug is not being cleared well enough so it needs to be stopped as there is a risk of lactic acidosis

20
Q

How much insulin is prescribed?

A

around 0.5-1 unit per kg of weight

21
Q

What is important in terms of education about diabetes medication?

A

sick day rules for taking medication when unwell

22
Q

What do steroids bind to?

A

the glucocorticoid receptor which regulates the transcription of genes AND mineralocorticoid receptors

23
Q

Where specifically do steroids bind?

A

either the ligand binding domain or the DNA binding domain on the glucocorticoid receptor

24
Q

What do GR molecules do?

A

as a dimer they activate transcription

as a monomer they reduce transcription

25
Q

What happens when a steroid binds to a mineralocorticoid receptor?

A

there is an adverse effect so give anti-mineralocorticoids to stop this

26
Q

What effect can blocking GR have in certain patients?

A

it can reduce craving for alcohol in alcoholics