Intro to Rad Pharmacology

Question 1

Analgesics

Answer 1

Relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.
2 Categories:
Opioids- Narcotics
Morphine & Demerol
Side effects nausea, vomiting, constipation
Possible physiological dependency but not addiction
Non Opioids- Non-narcotics
Acetaminophen
Do not cause physiological dependency

Question 2

Anesthetics

Answer 2

Act on CNS to produce a loss of sensation
2 types:
General-Inhalation or IV
Major Surgery
Pentothal
Hazard life threatening side effects like irregular heartbeat, DIB, or death.
Local- Block nerve conduction to that part of the body
Novocain & Lidocaine

Question 3

Antianxiety Agents

Answer 3

Act on CNS to calm patient (used in radiology)
Valium
Versed- pre op drug for anxiety
Xanax

Question 4

Antiarrhythymics

Answer 4

Used to treat heart arrhythmias

Cordorone

Question 5

Antibiotics

Answer 5

Used to destroy or inhibit growth of microorganisms.
2 types:
Broad spectrum- effective against large number of microorganisms
Z-pak, Cepro
Narrow spectrum- effective against small number of microorganisms
Penicillin & Erythromycin

Question 6

Anticholinergic (Anti-spasmodic)

Answer 6

Reduce smooth muscle tone motility of gastrointestinal tract, and secretions of respiratory tract secretory glands.
May cause dry mouth, rapid heart beat, and delirium
Atropine (crash cart), pre-op inhibits secretions, prevent bradycardia
Glucagon used for barium enema studies

Question 7

Anticoagulants

Answer 7

Slow down the coagulation of blood. Inhibit clotting of blood. Prevent thromboembolic disorders(blocking of blood vessel due to clot)
Heparin- used in angiography, prevent blood clots from collecting in vessel with use of catheter. Syringe of heparin on tray, radiologist will shoot some in now and then. Foreign bodies on blood stream tend to collect clots.
Administered interveniously. Should NOT be administered intramuscular because can cause a hematoma.
Coumadin- Oral anti-coagulant
Patient must be monitored because if given too much heparin can bleed internally and have internal hemorrhage.

Question 8

Anticonvulsants

Answer 8

Drugs used to prevent or control seizures. Grand mal or Petite mal. Do NOT treat cause of seizure.
Dilantin (Phenytoin) for generalized grand mal seizures.
Depakote “absence” or Petite mal seizures.

Question 9

Antidepressants

Answer 9

Treatment of depression, 6-12 weeks for therapeutic effects
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRI
Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, & Lexapro
Low serotonin levels associated with depression
Serotonin makes synapse of the nerves more smooth
SSRI’s used for panic disorder as well
Side effects can be nausea, vomiting, & diarrhea
Patient must be monitored for other drug interactions. Can cause serious side effects or interactions.

Question 10

Antidiabetic Agents

Answer 10

2 types:
Type 1 or Diabetic Mellitus (DM)-
absence of insulin
Insulin used to treat Type 1
Type 2-
Insulin deficiency and insulin resistance
Glyburide (Micronanse), glipzide(Glucotrol), and Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovane), & Pioglitazone (Actos)
**Contrast Media: recommended that metformin not be taken prior to iodinated contrast studies. Get labs before restarting med. Can cause renal failure.

Question 11

Antiemetics

Answer 11

Drugs used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting
Best given before onset of symptoms.
Compazine & Zofran

Question 12

Antifungal Agents

Answer 12

Suppress or destroy fungi

Question 13

Antihistamines

Answer 13

Treat bot acute and chronic disorders.
2 groups:
Sedating (first generation)
Benadryl will be on crash cart If emergency then administered intramuscular.
Non-sedating (second generation)
Claritin taken orally for not as severe allergic disorders.

Question 14

Antihyperlipdemic Agents

Answer 14

Reduce lipid levels in blood stream which can lead to atherosclerosis. (Leading cause of death in US for both sexes)
One group of antihyperlipdemics is statins.
2 common statin drugs are Lipitor & Zocor
Side effects constipation, abdominal pain, and or muscle pain and liver abnormalities.
Cholesterol should not be over 200

Question 15

Antihypertensive

Answer 15

Used to treat hypertention. HBP
Antyhypertensive often used in combination with other drugs (often diuretics) to treat high blood pressure. Can be many causes of high BP
Tenormin (atenolol), Lopressor (metoprolol), Vasotec (enalapril)

Question 16

Antiplatelets

Answer 16

Inhibit platelet build up in blood stream
Needed when have MI Miocardial Infarction, stroke, TIA Trans Ischemic Attack. Ischemia means not enough blood
Often called blood thinners
Aspirin
Plavix Clopidogrel)
Repro (Abciximab)
Can cause bleeding.
Hold pressure longer after injections for these patients.

Question 17

Antipsychotics

Answer 17

Treat psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia)
Adverse effects to watch out for are sedation and orthostatic hypertension.
Haloperidol (Haldol)

Question 18

Antiulcer Agents

Answer 18

Used for peptic ulcers (both gastro & duodenal)
Also used for GERD (Gastro Esophogial Reflux Disorder)
Reflux of acid from stomach into esophagus
Peptic ulcers are from a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori (not stomach acid)
Zantac, Prevacid common anti-ulcer drugs

Question 19

Antiviral

Answer 19

Destroys or suppresses growth of viruses
Common viral agents treated are herpes simplex, chicken pox, shingles, influenza, and infections with HIV.
***Retrovir and AZT treat HIV infections.

Question 20

Bronchodilators

Answer 20

Treatment of asthma and COPD
Dilate Bronchioles
Can cause nervousness & tachycardia
Albuterol (Proventil) common bronchodilator

Question 21

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Answer 21

Used for Alzheimer’s Disease

Prevents too much uptake of acetylcholine which is a major neurotransmitter.

Question 22

Coagulants

Answer 22

Control hemorrhage or speed up coagulation.

Most are manufactured forms of Vitamin K

Question 23

Corticosteroids

Answer 23

Treat both long term Chronic Inflammatory Disorders and short term Acute Inflammatory Disorders
Flovent (Fluticasone)

Question 24

Diuretics

Answer 24

Increase the amount of urine being excreted by the kidneys
Furosemide (Lasix)is potent one often used to treat fluid buildup that may come from congestive heart failure
Diuretics often used with Antihypertensive drugs
Pt may have to use bathroom often

Question 25

**Emetics

Answer 25

Drugs used to produce emesis (vomiting)

Ipecac

Question 26

Hormones

Answer 26

Drugs that act as to stimulate the functional activity of endocrine system.
Premarin very common Hormone Replacement (HR) technique
May also be drug to inhibit hormone.
Tamoxifen is an Estrogen Blocker given to breast cancer patients or women prone to breast cancer.
Some breast cancer cells require estrogen to grow.

Question 27

Laxatives

Answer 27

Can be used to prepare patients for procedures(small bowel, BE, colonoscopy)

Question 28

Mood Stabilizing drugs

Answer 28

Prevent mood swings

Treat manic-depressant disorder (bipolar disorder)

Question 29

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)

Answer 29

Act as an analgesic as well as reduce fever and inflammation.
Ibuprofen (Motrin)
NSAIDS have been known to cause CV (cardiovascular) issues,
Celebrex remains on the market
Can cause GI irritation and bleeding.

Question 30

Sedatives (Hypnotics)

Answer 30

CNS depression
Mild sedation to complete sleep.
Sedatives can lead to physical dependence.
Zolpidem (Ambien)

Question 31

Stimulants

Answer 31

Increase function and/or activity of CNS and brain.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD
Adderall
Dopamine (Intropin) often on crash cart to stimulate myocardium of heart and to prevent shock and hypertension

Question 32

Thrombolytics

Answer 32

Dissolve thrombi (blood clots)
Alteplase (Activase) administered parenterally for MI/stroke

Question 33

Vasoconstrictor

Answer 33

Cause blood vessels to constrict
Norepinephrine common drug
If in shock administered by IV

Question 34

Vasodilators

Answer 34

Cause blood vessels to dilate
Used for vascular disease and angina (heart pain)
Nitroglycerin is common drug. (nitro patch, sublingually, orally)
Epinephrine