Pharmacology Overview

Question 1

What medication is high caution with warfarin and what is the result?

Answer 1

Sulfa drugs (Bactrim) cause an increase in INR and risk of bleeding

Question 2

Which system is responsible for the biotransformation of not only many drugs, but other substances as well such as alcohol, herbs and some foods

Answer 2

cytochrome P450 or CYP450

Question 3

The amount of time in which drug concentration decreases by 50%

Answer 3

half-life

Question 4

The average amount of drug in the body after a dose is given it is a measure of the availability (bioavailability) of a drug after it is administered

Answer 4

area under the curve (AUC)

Question 5

the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that will inhibit the growth of organisms (after overnight incubation)

Answer 5

minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

Question 6

the highest concentration of a drug after a dose

Answer 6

maximum concentration

Question 7

the lowest concentration of a drug after a dose

Answer 7

trough (minimum concentration)

Question 8

Name 4 drugs or drug classes that are “problematic” drugs that are responsible for a large number of drug-drug interactions

Answer 8

macrolides (erythromycin, clarithromycin), antifungals (ketokonazole, fluconazole), tagamet, celexa
Grapefruit juice

Question 9

which drug class has an increased risk of fractures (postmenopausal women), pneumonia, c-diff, hypomagnesemia, B12, iron malabsorption, atrophic gastritis, and kidney disease

Answer 9

PPIs

Question 10

Which drug interacts with warfarin, valium, tegretol, dilantin, and ketoconazole

Answer 10

Prilosec

Question 11

which drug interacts with “G” herbs such as garlic, ginger, gingko, and ginseng and must be discontinued 7 days before surgery

Answer 11

warfarin

Question 12

Which drug class carries a black box warning that may cause of exacerbate CHF in some patients; do not use of New York Health Association Class III or IV heart failure

Answer 12

TZDs

Question 13

Which TZD drug should be stopped if it causes dyspnea, weight gain, or cough (heart failure)

Answer 13

pioglitazone (actos)

Question 14

Which drug class has a high risk for weight gain, metabolic syndrome, DM2, monitor weight Q3 mo, carries black box warning for higher mortality in elderly patients. Monitor TSH, lipids, weight/BMI

Answer 14

atypical antipsychotics (risperdal, zyprexa, seroquel)

Question 15

which drug class can cause erosive esophagitis, abdominal pain, should be stopped immediately for sx of esophagitis (chest pain, difficulty swallowing, burning midback) or jaw pain (oestonecrosis); take alone upon awakening with 8 oz glass of water, not juice, before breakfast

Answer 15

alendronate (Fosmax); risedronate (actonel)

Question 16

which drug class should not be mixed with grapefruit juice, can cause drug-induced hepatitis or rhabdomyolysis if mixed with azole antifungals

Answer 16

Statins

Question 17

which drug class has higher risk of c.diff associated diarrhea

Answer 17

lincosamides (Clindamycin)