Sketchy Pharm: Alpha Drugs Flashcards
Where are most alpha-2 receptors located?
In the central nervous system (Raul with the 2 candles in the water next to the brain)
What does activation of alpha-2 receptors in the CNS do?
Decreases blood pressure
__________ is used to treat ADHD refractory to stimulants.
Clonidine
What is an analog of clonidine that is used in pregnancy?
Alpha-methyldopa (the alpha dope rope above Christine’s head)
What is the mechanism of action of tizanidine?
Alpha-2 agonist; centrally acting muscle relaxant (think of the letter “to X-tine” on the relaxing chair)
Phentolamine is a ____________.
reversible alpha-1 and -2 antagonist (the phantom appears and disappears, extinguishing the candles)
What kind of drug is phenoxybenzamine?
Irreversible alpha antagonist (the phantom has an irreversible tattoo of a phoenix)
Phentolamine is used to treat ___________ overdoses.
cocaine (guy with hot cocoa being scared by the phantom) because you don’t want to use beta-blockers; also tyramine toxicity (the aged wine and cheese), because tyramine inhibits MAO
What syndrome – presenting with intermittent headaches, sweating, and palpitations – can be treated with phentolamine?
Pheochromocytoma
The increase in blood pressure when standing is mediated by ___________.
alpha-1 receptors, so inhibiting these with an antagonist can produce orthostatic hypotension
Prazosin can also treat ___________.
PTSD (think of the praying man on the alpha-antagonist stage with the dog tags)
List the classification and mnemonic for mirtazapine.
Alpha-2 antagonist and serotonin effect enhancer (two drama faces –mirth and misery –above a double extinguished candle)
Alpha-methyl dopa can cause a _____________.
lupus-like syndrome (think of the wolf next to pregnant Christine beneath the alpha dope rope)
