The Sixty Drugs We Must Know Seminar One Flashcards
Lamotrigine
Pharmacodynamics: Voltage-dependent sodium ion channel blocker;
Indications for use: Used to reduce inappropriate focal
discharge (seizures) by blocking of voltage dependent / gated sodium ion channels.
Levodopa (+ Carbidopa)
Pharmacodynamics: Pharmacodynamics: Is a pro-drug of dopamine;
Indications for use: Used in Parkinson’s to reduce mobility related symptoms;
Clinical features: To counteract nausea a dopamine antagonist that works in the chemoreceptor trigger zone but does not penetrate the basal ganglia can be used: Domperidone. Due to the fluctuation of plasma concentration in short acting agonists such as Levodopa dyskinesia can develop as a side effect. Can also lead to postural hypotension. Can cause schizophrenic like symptoms.
Lidocaine
Pharmacodynamics: local anaesthetics (Amides) block sodium ion channels;
Indications for use: causing dose based CNS depression for local anaesthetic.
Metoprolol
Pharmacodynamics: β1 selective (second generation) competitive inhibitor;
Indication for use: Similar effects to 1st generation (reduces tachycardia) but more suitable for chronic lung disease such as asthma causing bronchodilation.
Meloxicam
Pharmacodynamics: Oxicam COX - 2 selective blocker NSAID;
Indication for use: Anti - inflammatory pain relief.
Methyldopa
Pharmacodynamics: reduces serotonergic and dopaminergic transmission in the peripheral nervous system;
Indications for use: Control of high blood pressure in pregnancy.
Morphine
Pharmacodynamics: Strong opioid agonists;
Indication for use: Analgesia, treatment of diarrhoea (loperamide and diphenoxylate), cough relief (dextramorphan and codeine), treatment of pulmonary oedema, anxiety, anesthesia: systemic and spinal
anaesthesia as well as postoperative analgesia.
Naloxon
Pharmacodynamics: competitive antagonists for kappa, mu and delta receptors;
Indication for use: Used to reverse opioid overdose.
Neostigmine
Pharmacodynamics: Reversible indirect acting agonist for acetylcholinesterase- inhibits the hydrolysis of Ach
Indication for use: more polar and doesn’t absorb from GIT and doesn’t enter GIT so used to treat MG. Stimulates bladder and GIT and reverses effects of anaesthesia from NM blocking agents.
Nitrazepam
Pharmacodynamics: (Benzodiazepines) GABA-A agonists;
Indications for use: Used as anxiolytics and as sedatives / hypnotic. Can be used to treat anxiety disorders, sleep disorders.
Norepinephrine
Pharmacodynamics: theoretically should stimulate entire sympathetic nervous system - therapeutically stimulates alpha adrenergic receptors;
Indications for use: Norepinephrine is used to treat shock, because it increases vascular resistance and, therefore, increases blood pressure. It has no other clinically significant uses.
Oxazepam
Pharmacodynamics: GABA-A agonist (benzodiazepine);
Indications for use: treatment of insomnia, anxiolytic, control of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Paroxetine
Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitors (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs);
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).
Reserpine
Pharmacodynamics: Inhibits Mg / ATP dependent transport of NE, 5-HT and D from cytoplasm to vesicles reducing sympathetic activity;
Indication for use: Management of hypertension but replaced with newer drugs.
Phenelzine
Pharmacodynamics: MAOI (Irreversible non-competitive inhibitor);
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant);
Clinical features: Phen and Ip Can cause hepatotoxicity so contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment.
Phenobarbital
Pharmacodynamics: (Barbiturate) GABA-A agonists;
Indications for use: Used as anxiolytics and as sedatives / hypnotic.
Phentolamine
Pharmacodynamics: non selective α receptor antagonist;
Indication for use: treats hypertension caused by pheochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland);
Clinical features: α2 is present on presynaptic nerve ending to inhibit NE release; blockage –> more NE which stimulates Beta – 1 receptor on the heart so can cause tachycardia and arrhythmias.
Phenylephrine
Pharmacodynamics: α1 selective agonist;
Indication for use: treat nasal congestion as well as for eye redness and phenylephrine treats hypotension.
Phenytoin
Pharmacodynamics: Voltage-dependent sodium ion channel blocker;
Indications for use: Used to reduce inappropriate focal
discharge (seizures) by blocking of voltage dependent / gated sodium ion channels.
Physostigmine
Pharmacodynamics: Reversible indirect acting agonist;
Indication for use: stimulates M and N and intermediated acting agent so used in reversing overdose of anticholinergics.
Piracetam
Pharmacodynamics: NMDA receptor antagonist, an AMPA agonist improving function of ACh;
Indication for use: Nootropics: NMDA antagonists beneficial in reducing brain damage after strokes and head
injury. Treats epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and ADHD.
Propranolol
Pharmacodynamics: β non-selective (1st generation) competitive inhibitor;
Indication for use: decreases heart rate, delayed conduction through the AV node and reduced contractility –> Decreases cardiac output and decreased oxygen demand; Propranolol also penetrate the CNS and is therefore useful for migraine prophylaxis; Nadalol and Timolol when applied to eye decreases IO pressure and treats Glaucoma.
Clinical features: Blocking of β2 in lungs so can lead to bronchoconstriction.
Salbutamol
Pharmacodynamics: β2 selective agonist;
Indication for use: causes bronchodilation so used in the treatment of asthma.
Sertraline
Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitors (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs);
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).
