Pharmacology Final Exam

Question 1

Anticoagulant Drugs:

Answer 1

• Heparin
• Lovenox (enoxaparin)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Pradaxa (dabigatran)
• Rivaroxaban (xarelto)

Question 2

Heparin:

Answer 2

• Anticoagulant (injection)
• HIGH ALERT FOR BLEEDING.
• USE: prophylactic, post-stroke, prevent PE/DVT, Acute MI, DIC, can be used during pregnancy.
• FORM: IV or subQ
• DOSE: normal subQ dose is 5,000 units. normal IV dose is 12 units/kg/hr.
• Half-life: very short 1.5-2 hours (this means it gets out of body fast).
• Antidote: Protamine sulfate
• Side effects: HIT and hemorrhage
• Labs to consider: aPTT and platelets.

Question 3

Warfarin:

Answer 3

• Anticoagulant (is PO)
• USE: prevents and manages DVT, PE, AFib, prosthetic heart valves, and decreases risk of CVA/MI.
• FORM: PO (orally)
• DOSE: given once a day. dependent on INR level (2.0-3.0).
• Half-life: very long (1.5-2 days)
• Antagonist: Vitamin K
• Side effects: hemorrhage, N/V, abdominal pain, alopecia, dizziness, joint/muscle pain, urticaria.
• Labs to consider: INR level. w/ warfarin INR level is 2-3.

Question 4

Antiplatelet drugs:

Answer 4

• Aspirin
• Clopidogrel (plavix)
• GP IIb/IIIa antagonists (“super aspirins”)

Question 5

Aspirin:

Answer 5

• ACTION: inhibits platelet aggregation.
• DOSE: 81-325 mg daily. low doses are used to prevent MI, stroke, and blood clots. High doses are used as an anti-inflammatory.
• How long does Aspirin stay in the body? 7 days
• FORM: orally PO
• patients must stop taking this med a week before surgery to decrease risk of bleeding.

Question 6

Clopidogrel (plavix):

Answer 6

• ACTION: inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking receptors on platelets.
• USE: most people are on it after an MI, stroke, after a coronary artery procedure such as stenting.
• DOSE: 75 mg and is a fixed dose.
• FORM: orally PO
• CAUTION USE WITH NSAIDS AND COUMADIN. CAUTION USE WITH PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS.
• Side effects: bleeding, thrombocytopenia, dyspepsia, diarrhea, rash.
• Need to monitor platelet count.