PHARMACOLOGY

Question 1

what drug class is adrenaline?

Answer 1

an adrenoreceptor agonist

Question 2

what is adrenaline also known as?

Answer 2

epinephrine

Question 3

where is adrenaline produced in the body?

Answer 3

adrenal medulla

Question 4

what is the mechanism of action for adrenaline?

Answer 4

it stimulates alpha, beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors

Question 5

what are the effects of adrenaline binding to alpha adrenergic receptors?

Answer 5

reductions in vasodilation, increased vascular permeability that occurs during anaphylaxis

Question 6

what are the effects of adrenaline binding to beta adrenergic receptors?

Answer 6

bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, alleviates bronchospasm

Question 7

What are the indications for adrenaline?

Answer 7

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute hypotension, acute anaphylaxis, control of bradycardia

Question 8

what are the side effects of adrenaline?

Answer 8

cardiomyopathy (very rare)

Question 9

how is adrenaline administered?

Answer 9

intramuscular injection

Question 10

what is bronchospasm?

Answer 10

when the bronchial tubes go into spasm and contract which makes it hard to breathe and causes wheezing

Question 11

what drug class is chlorphenamine?

Answer 11

a H1 histamine receptor inverse agonist

Question 12

what is an inverse agonist?

Answer 12

a drug that binds to the same receptor as an agonist but induces a pharmacological response opposite to that of the agonist.

Question 13

what is the mechanism of chlorphenamine?

Answer 13

it binds to H1 which blocks its activity- it competes with histamine for the receptor.

Question 14

what is the effect of chlorphenamine?

Answer 14

temporary relief of the effects of histamine e.g. watery and itchy eyes, runny nose

Question 15

what are the indications of chlorphenamine?

Answer 15

Symptomatic relief of allergy such as hay fever, urticaria, food allergy, drug reactions,
Relief of itch associated with chickenpox
emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions

Question 16

what are the common side effects of chlorphenamine?

Answer 16

impaired concentration
abnormal coordiantion
dizziness
dry mouth
fatigued
headache
nausea
blurred vision

Question 17

how is chlorphenamine administered?

Answer 17

injection or oral

Question 18

what drug class is diclofenac?

Answer 18

a COX inhibitor/NSAID

Question 19

what 3 effects does diclofenac have?

Answer 19

analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory

Question 20

what is diclofenac’s mechanism of action?

Answer 20

it inhibits COX1 and COX2- analgesic effects
it acts on the hypothalamus causing peripheral dilation, increased cutaneous blood flow and heat dissipation- anti-pyretic

Question 21

what are the indications of diclofenac?

Answer 21

pain, ocular inflammation, dysmenorrhea, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Question 22

what are the side effects of diclofenac?

Answer 22

oedema, skin reactions, conjunctivitis, decreased appetite, diarrhoea, dizziness, GI disorders, headache, nausea, rash, increased muscle tone, skin ulcer, vertigo, vomiting

Question 23

how is diclofenac administered?

Answer 23

oral, intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection, rectum, eye, on skin

Question 24

what drug class is hydrocortisone?

Answer 24

a glucocorticoid nuclear receptor agonist

Question 25

what is the mechanism of action for hydrocortisone?

Answer 25

it binds to the cortisol receptor to form a receptor-ligand complex, which translates to the nucleus, binds to the glucocorticoid response elements in the promoter region of the target genes and causes an increase in their expression. they cause the expression of lipocortins which inhibit phospholipase A2, which reduces arachidonic acid synthesis and production of inflammatory mediators

Question 26

what are the 6 effects of hydrocortisone?

Answer 26

decrease in inflammatory mediators, decrease in the function of the lymphatic system, reduction in immunoglobulins, reduction in complement proteins, precipitation of lymphocytopenia, interference with antigen-antibody binding.

Question 27

what are the indications for hydrocortisone?

Answer 27

thyrotoxic crisis, adrenocortical insufficiency from sepsis shock, anaphylaxis, corticosteroid replacement, adrenocortical insufficiency following adrenalectomy, inflammatory bowel disease, mild inflammatory skin disorders, nappy rash, asthma, COVID19

Question 28

what are the side effects of hydrocortisone?

Answer 28

Anxiety; behaviour abnormal; cataract subcapsular; cognitive impairment; Cushing’s syndrome; electrolyte imbalance; fatigue; fluid retention; gastrointestinal discomfort; headache; healing impaired; hirsutism; hypertension; increased risk of infection; menstrual cycle irregularities; mood altered; nausea; osteoporosis; peptic ulcer; psychotic disorder; skin reactions; sleep disorders; weight increased

Question 29

how is hydrocortisone administered?

Answer 29

pill, intramuscular or intravenous injection, eyedrops, lotion