Pharmacology and Actions Flashcards
activated charcoal
Absorbs ingested toxic substances from the GI tract, thereby preventing systemic absorption
acetaminophen
May work peripherally to block pain impuse generation and inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS. Analgesic and antipyretic effects
adenosine
Short-acting drug that slows conduction through the AV node. Restores sinus rhythm in SVT. Terminates regular tachycardias caused by reentrant AV nodal pathways.
albuterol
Selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and inhibits mediator release from mast cells
amiodorone
Blocks sodium, potassium and calcium channels. Prolongs the
action potential’s duration. Delays repolarization. Decreases AV conduction and SA node
function.
aspirin
Prevents thromboxane A2 formation (thromboxane A2 causes platelets to aggregate and form plugs). Has antipyretic and analgesic properties
atropine sulfate
Inhibits acetylcholine at postganglionic parasympathetic
neuroeffector sites. Increases heart rate in cardiac origin symptomatic bradycardia. Reverses muscarinic effects of cholinergic poisoning
calcium chloride
Mineral component of bones and teeth. Cofactor in enzymatic
reactions. Essential for neurotransmission, blood clotting, and contraction of cardiac, smooth and
skeletal muscles. Affects secretory activity of endocrine and exocrine glands.
calcium gluconate
Mineral component of bones and teeth. Cofactor in enzymatic
reactions. Essential for neurotransmission, blood clotting, and contraction of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles. Affects secretory activity of endocrine and exocrine glands
dexamethasone
Suppresses acute and chronic inflammation and has immunosuppressive effects
dextrose
Rapidly increases serum glucose levels. Short-term osmotic diuresis
diazepam
Appears to act on part of the limbic system, as well on the thalamus and hypothalamus. Inhibits GABA receptors in the CNS, reducing neuron excitability and raises the seizure threshold. Induces amnesia and sedation
diltiazem
Inhibits extracellular calcium ion influx across membranes of
myocardial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of vascular and cardiac smooth
muscle contraction results in dilating the main coronary and systemic arteries. There is no effect on serum calcium concentrations. Substantial inhibitory effects on the cardiac conduction system.
Acts primarily on the AV node with some effects on the SA node.
diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Blocks H1 receptors in the respiratory tract, blood vessels, and GI smooth muscle. Reverses extrapyramidal reactions
dopamine hydrochloride
Immediate metabolic precursor to norepinephrine with mixed
alpha- and beta-adrenergic effects. Response is dose-dependent:
★ 1-2 mcg/kg/min stimulates dopamine receptors, causing vasodilation in the renal,
mesenteric, coronary and intracerebral vascular beds.
★ 2-10 mcg/kg/min stimulates beta-1 receptors, increasing myocardial contractility
and enhancing cardiac impulse conduction.
★ 10-20 mcg/kg/min stimulates alpha receptors, increasing systemic vascular
resistance.
★ >20mcg/kg/min alpha stimulation dominates, and may compromise peripheral
circulation
epinephrine
Catecholamine with strong alpha-1 effects, strong beta-1 effects, and moderate beta-2 effects. Increases heart rate (chronotrope), myocardial contractility (inotrope), and electrical conduction speed (dromotrope). Secondary relaxation effect on the
smooth muscle of stomach, intestine, uterus and bladder
etomidate
Ultra-short-acting hypnotic that produces rapid sedation with
minimal cardiovascular or respiratory depression
fentanyl citrate
Binds to opioid receptors, producing respiratory depression, analgesia, euphoria and sedation.
flumazenil
Antagonizes benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS
furosemide
Blocks the absorption of sodium and chloride at the distal and
proximal tubules, and the loop of Henle, causing increased urine output
glucagon
Increases blood glucose level by stimulating the breakdown of
glycogen into glucose. Stabilizes cardiac rhythm in beta-blocker overdose. Minimal positive
inotropic and chronotropic responses. Decreases GI motility and secretions
glucose, oral
Increases blood glucose
haloperidol
Antagonizes dopamine-1 and dopamine-2 receptors in the brain.
Depresses the reticular activating system and inhibits release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal
hormones.
hydromorphone
Opioid agonist. Inhibits ascending pain pathways. Increases the
pain threshold. Produces analgesic effects, respiratory depression and sedation
hydroxycobalamin
A synthetic, injectable form of Vitamin B12 that binds with cyanide to form nontoxic cyanocobalamin. Preferred agent in cyanide poisoning
ibuprofen
Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing fever, pain and swelling
ipratropium bromide
Antagonizes the action of acetylcholine on bronchial smooth muscle. Bronchodilator.
ketamine
Blocks pain receptors and minimizes spinal cord activity, affecting the brain’s association between the thalamus and the limbic system
ketorolac tromethamine
Potent analgesic that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Does not have sedative or anxiolytic properties
labetalol
Reduces peripheral vascular resistance without significant effect on cardiac output, thereby providing BP reduction without reflex tachycardia
lidocaine hydrochloride
Alternative to amiodarone in cardiac arrest. Inhibits recovery after repolarization. Decreases myocardial excitability and conduction velocity. Local anesthetic. May decrease ICP response during laryngoscopy
lorazepam
Inhibits GABA receptors in the CNS, thereby reducing neuron
excitability. Suppresses propagation of seizure activity produced by foci in the cortex, thalamus and limbic areas. Anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative effects
magnesium sulfate
Depresses the CNS, blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission, and produces anticonvulsant effects. Decreases the amount of acetylcholine released at the
endplate by motor nerve impulses. Slows the rate of SA node impulse formation in the
myocardium, and prolongs conduction time. Promotes calcium, potassium and sodium movement in and out of cells, and stabilizes excitable membranes. Induces uterine relaxation. Can cause bronchodilation after beta agonists and anticholinergics have been administered
mannitol
Promotes the movement of fluids from intracellular to extracellular space. Decreases cerebral edema and ICP. Promote urinary excretion of toxins
methylprednisolone sodium succinate
Highly potent synthetic glucocorticoid that suppresses
inflammation. Potentiates the action of beta-adrenergic agonists on vascular smooth muscle.
midazolam hydrochloride
Inhibits GABA receptors in the CNS, thereby reducing neuron
excitability. Causes sedative, anxiolytic, amnesic and hypnotic effect.
morphine sulfate
Alleviates pain through CNS action. Suppresses fear and anxiety centers in the brain. Depresses brainstem respiratory centers. Increases peripheral venous capacitance and decreases venous return. Decreases preload, afterload and myocardial oxygen demand
naloxone hydrochloride
Competitive inhibition at opioid receptor sites. Reverses
opioid-induced respiratory depression and sedation
nitroglycerin
Reduces peripheral vascular resistance, preload, afterload, cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen demand. Smooth muscle relaxant which acts on smooth muscle of uterus, intestine, bronchial tree and blood vessels. Dilates peripheral arterioles and veins
norepinephrine bitartrate
Acts primarily on alpha-adrenergic receptors to produce
constriction of resistance and capacitance vessels, thereby increasing systemic BP and coronary blood flow. Also acts on beta-1 receptors. Lower doses see a predominately cardiac-stimulant effect. Larger doses see a predominately vasoconstrictive effect.
ondansetron hydrochloride
Blocks the action of serotonin. Does not affect dopamine receptors therefore does not cause extrapyramidal symptoms
oxygen
Reverses hypoxemia
oxytocin
Binds to oxytocin receptor sites on the surface of uterine smooth
muscle, increasing the force and frequency of uterine contractions. Causes dilation of vascular smooth muscle, thereby increasing renal, coronary and cerebral blood flow.
phenylephrine
Stimulates alpha adrenergic receptors in the arterioles of the nasal mucosa to produce vasoconstriction
pralidoxime
Binds to organophosphates and breaks their alkyl phosphate-cholinesterase bonds. Restores activity of acetylcholinesterase
procainamide hydrochloride
Inhibits recovery after repolarization, resulting in decreased conduction velocity and decreased myocardial excitability. Prolongs the refractory period, decreases automaticity, and reduces the repolarization abnormalities
promethazine hydrochloride
H1 receptor antagonist. Blocks the action of histamine. Possesses sedative, antimotion, antiemetic, and anticholinergic activity. Potentiates the effects of opioids to induce analgesia
rocuronium bromide
Antagonizes acetylcholine at the motor endplate, producing skeletal muscle paralysis
sodium bicarbonate
Reacts with hydrogen ions to form water and carbon dioxide,
thereby correcting metabolic acidosis. Increases pH of blood and urine by releasing a bicarbonate ion, which in turn neutralizes hydrogen ion concentrations
succinylcholine chloride
Ultra-short-acting depolarizing skeletal muscle relaxant that mimics acetylcholine
terbutaline sulfate
selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist
thiamine hydrochloride
Combines with adenosine triphosphate to form thiamine
pyrophosphate, a coenzyme essential for carbohydrate metabolism. Prevents Wernicke’s
encephalopathy
tranexamic acid
Inhibits the activation of plasminogen. Reduces conversion of
plasminogen to plasmin. (Plasmin breaks down fibrin, fibrinogen and plasma proteins)
vecuronium bromide
Neuromuscular agent that competes with acetylcholine for
receptors at the motor endplate, resulting in neuromuscular blockade
verapamil hydrochloride
Slows AV node conduction. Shortens the refractory period of
accessory pathways. Acts as a negative inotrope and vasodilator
