Neuro - Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

Which two -agonists are used to treat glaucoma?

A

Epinephrine and brimonidine

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2
Q

How do β-agonists treat glaucoma?

A

They decrease aqueous humor synthesis

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3
Q

Which β-agonist is contraindicated for closed-angle glaucoma?

A

Epinephrine

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4
Q

Which β-blockers are used to treat glaucoma?

A

Timolol, betaxolol, carteolol

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5
Q

By what mechanism do β-blockers treat glaucoma?

A

They decrease aqueous humor secretion

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6
Q

How does acetazolamide treat glaucoma?

A

It decreases aqueous humor secretion by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase

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7
Q

Which four cholinomimetics are used to treat glaucoma?

A

Pilocarpine, carbachol, physostigmine, echothiophate

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8
Q

By what mechanism do cholinomimetics treat glaucoma?

A

They increase outflow of aqueous humor, contract the ciliary muscle, and open the trabecular meshwork

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9
Q

Which drug is used for glaucoma in emergencies?

A

Pilocarpine

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10
Q

Which prostaglandin increases the outflow of aqueous humor in glaucoma? Of which prostaglandin is it an analogue?

A

Latanoprost; prostaglandin F2

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11
Q

A patient;s new glaucoma drug is causing browning of the iris. What is she taking?

A

Latanoprost

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12
Q

Morphine, fentanyl, codeine, heroin, methadone, meperidine, and dextromethorphan are in which category of drugs?

A

Opioid analgesics

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13
Q

What is the mechanism of action of opioid analgesics?

A

They act as agonists at the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors to modulate synaptic transmission

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14
Q

Match the following substances with the opioid receptor (mu/delta/kappa) that they bind most avidly: morphine, dynorphin, enkephalin.

A

Dynorphin is avidly bound to the kappa receptor, enkephalin is avidly bound to the delta receptor, and morphine is avidly bound to the mu receptor

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15
Q

Which opioid agonist is used for cough suppression?

A

Dextromethorphan

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16
Q

Which two opioid agonists are used to alleviate diarrhea?

A

Loperamide and diphenoxylate

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17
Q

Which opioid analgesic is used for maintenance programs for heroin addicts?

A

Methadone

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18
Q

What changes in neurotransmitter release result from opioid receptor agonists?

A

They inhibit release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, glutamate, and substance P

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19
Q

A patient well-known to the emergency department presents with respiratory depression, constipation, and miosis. What is the most likely cause of her condition?

A

Opioid toxicity

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20
Q

Despite requiring increasing doses for recreational use, which two adverse effects of opioid use will patients not develop tolerance to?

A

Miosis and constipation

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21
Q

Which two drugs are used to treat opioid toxicity?

A

Naloxone or naltrexone (opioid receptor antagonists)

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22
Q

Butorphanol acts a partial _____ (agonist/antagonist) at opioid _____ (mu/kappa) receptors, and an _____ (agonist/antagonist) at _____ (kappa/delta) receptors.

A

Agonist; mu; agonist; kappa

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23
Q

What is the toxicity of butorphanol?

A

Withdrawal if a patient is on a full opioid agonist, due to its partial agonist activity

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24
Q

What is the benefit of butorphanol over other opioid analgesics?

A

Butorphanol causes less respiratory depression than full agonists

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25
Q

Which analgesic drug is a weak opioid agonist and inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake?

A

Tramadol

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26
Q

What is the toxic effect of tramadol?

A

Decreases seizure threshold

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27
Q

What is the clinical use of tramadol?

A

Chronic pain

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28
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with phenytoin? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and status epilepticus; inactivates sodium channels

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29
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with carbamazepine? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; inactivates sodium channels

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30
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with lamotrigine? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; inactivates sodium channels

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31
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with gabapentin? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; inactivates calcium channels

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32
Q

Which epilepsy drug is the first-line agent used to treat pregnant patients?

A

Phenobarbital

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33
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with phenobarbital? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; increases GABAAaction

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34
Q

What is the first-line agent used to prevent seizures in patients with eclampsia?

A

Magnesium sulfate

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35
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with valproic acid? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic and absence generalized seizures; inactivates sodium channels, increases GABA concentration

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36
Q

If magnesium sulfate fails to prevent seizures in a patient with eclampsia, what class of drugs could also be used?

A

Benzodiazepines

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37
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with ethosuximide? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Absence generalized seizures; blocks thalamic T-type calcium channels

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38
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with benzodiazepines? What is the mechanism of action?

A

Status epilepticus; increase the action of GABAA

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39
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with tiagabine? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures; inhibits GABA reuptake

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40
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with vigabatrin? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures; it irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase, thus increasing GABA concentration

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41
Q

Which types of seizures are treated with levetiracetam? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Simple and complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; its mechanism is unknown, but it may modulate GABA and glutamate release

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42
Q

Which two blood dyscrasias are associated with carbamazepine toxicity?

A

Agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia

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43
Q

Which two epilepsy drugs may predispose individuals who are taking them to Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

A

Ethosuximide and lamotrigine

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44
Q

Which antiepileptic drug may cause sedation, tolerance, and dependence in addition to inducing cytochrome P450 enzymes?

A

Phenobarbital

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45
Q

What epilepsy drug may cause lupus-like syndrome and gingival hyperplasia?

A

Phenytoin

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46
Q

A patient with epilepsy presents with hirsutism, megaloblastic anemia, ataxia, and gingival hyperplasia. What drug may this person be taking to help treat the epilepsy?

A

Phenytoin

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47
Q

What are the adverse effects of carbamazepine use?

A

Diplopia, ataxia, blood dyscrasias, liver toxicity, teratogenesis, and the induction of cytochrome P450

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48
Q

Name the toxicities of ethosuximide; use the mnemonic, EFGH.

A

Ethosuximide = Fatigue, GI distress, Headache

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49
Q

Acute hepatotoxicity is associated with which antiepileptic drug?

A

Valproic acid

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50
Q

Women of childbearing age who are using which two antiepileptic drugs should also be using birth control because of the teratogenic risks?

A

Valproic acid, which causes neural tube defects, and carbamazepine

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51
Q

Which antiepileptic drug is associated with kidney stones and weight loss?

A

Topiramate

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52
Q

Name two adverse effects of gabapentin.

A

Sedation and ataxia

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53
Q

What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

A

A disorder characterized by a prodrome of malaise and fever followed by rapid onset of erythematous and purpuric macules found on oral, ocular, and genital surfaces that eventually progress to epidermal necrosis and the sloughing of skin

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54
Q

What is the mechanism of action of phenytoin?

A

Phenytoin creates a use-dependent blockade of sodium channels and inhibits glutamate release from excitatory presynaptic neurons

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55
Q

What is the teratogenic effect of phenytoin use during pregnancy?

A

Fetal hydantoin syndrome

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56
Q

Which antiepileptic drug is primarily used to treat tonic-clonic seizures and is also a class IB antiarrhythmic agent?

A

Phenytoin

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57
Q

A patient presents with nystagmus, ataxia, diplopia, and sedation after starting an antiepileptic drug for tonic-clonic seizures. What medication was the patient most likely started on?

A

Phenytoin

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58
Q

Phenobarbital, pentobarbital, thiopental, and secobarbital are members of which class of drugs?

A

Barbiturates

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59
Q

True or False? Dependence is a major adverse effect of barbiturates.

A

True

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60
Q

What is the mechanism of action of barbiturates?

A

Barbiturates facilitate GABAAaction by increasing the duration of chloride channel opening, thereby decreasing neuron firing (remember: BarbiDURATes increase duration)

61
Q

What class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety is contraindicated for patients with porphyria?

A

Barbiturates

62
Q

What is the treatment for barbiturate overdose?

A

Assisted respiration and maintenance of blood pressure until the drug is metabolized

63
Q

What are the clinical uses of barbiturates?

A

Barbiturates are commonly used as sedatives for treating anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, and for the induction of anesthesia

64
Q

What is the effect of combining barbiturates with alcohol?

A

Barbiturates have an additive central nervous system depression effect when combined with alcohol

65
Q

What is the effect of barbiturates on cytochrome P450?

A

Barbiturates induce cytochrome P450 enzymes

66
Q

Diazepam, lorazepam, triazolam, temazepam, oxazepam, midazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and alprazolam are members of what class of drugs?

A

Benzodiazepines

67
Q

Which class of drugs used for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens) has an additive central nervous system depression effect with alcohol and may result in dependence?

A

Benzodiazepines

68
Q

Compared with barbiturates, benzodiazepines carry a(n) _____ (decreased/increased) risk of respiratory depression and coma.

A

Decreased

69
Q

What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?

A

Benzodiazepines facilitate GABAAaction by increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening (remember: FREnzodiazepines increase FREquency)

70
Q

Most benzodiazepines have a _____ (short/long) half-life and ______ (active/inactive) metabolites.

A

Long; active

71
Q

With which drug should benzodiazepine overdose be treated? What is its mechanism of action?

A

Flumazenil; it is a competitive antagonist of GABA receptors

72
Q

What are the clinical uses of benzodiazepines?

A

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, spasticity, status epilepticus, night terrors, and sleepwalking

73
Q

Which are the short-acting benzodiazepines?

A

Triazolam, Oxazepam, Midazolam (remember: TOMThumb is SHORT)

74
Q

Which benzodiazepines have the higher addictive potential, short or long acting?

A

Short acting

75
Q

General anesthetics that act on the central nervous system must be _____ (lipid/water) -soluble or actively transported across the blood-brain barrier.

A

Lipid

76
Q

Nitrous oxide has _____ (high/low) blood and lipid solubility and thus _____ (fast/slow) induction.

A

Low; fast

77
Q

Nitrous oxide has _____ (high/low) blood and lipid solubility and thus _____ (fast/slow) induction.

A

Low; fast

78
Q

Halothane has high lipid and blood solubility; thus, it has _____ (high/low) potency and _____ (fast/slow) induction.

A

High; slow

79
Q

When discussing general anesthetics, the higher the lipid solubility, the _____ (higher/lower) the potency.

A

Higher

80
Q

Anesthetic drugs with _____ (low/high) solubility in the blood have rapid induction and reduced recovery times.

A

Low

81
Q

When discussing general anesthetics, what does the acronym MAC stand for and indicate? How does it relate to potency?

A

Minimal alveolar concentration at which 50% of the population is anesthetized; the lower the MAC, the more potent the anesthetic

82
Q

Name four inhaled anesthetics.

A

Halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane

83
Q

What are four common adverse effects of inhaled anesthetics?

A

Myocardial depression, respiratory depression, emesis, and increased cerebral blood flow

84
Q

Match the anesthetic to the type of toxicity: halothane, methoxyflurane, enflurane – nephrotoxicity, proconvulsant, hepatotoxicity.

A

Halothane causes hepatotoxicity; methoxyflurane causes nephrotoxicity; enflurane is a proconvulsant

85
Q

Which class of drugs can cause malignant hyperthermia, myocardial depression, and a decrease in cerebral metabolic demand?

A

Inhaled anesthetics

86
Q

Inhaled anesthetics may cause a(n) _____ (decrease/increase) in cerebral blood flow.

A

Increase

87
Q

Which barbiturate is commonly used for the induction of anesthesia and short surgical procedures?

A

Thiopental

88
Q

What is the most common drug used for anesthesia during endoscopy?

A

Midazolam

89
Q

What are two common adverse effects of midazolam?

A

Amnesia and respiratory depression

90
Q

_____, which is a phencyclidine (PCP) analog, acts as a dissociative anesthetic.

A

Ketamine

91
Q

What are the effects of ketamine and thiopental on cerebral blood flow?

A

Ketamine increases cerebral blood flow whereas thiopental decreases it

92
Q

What are three common adverse effects of ketamine?

A

Disorientation, hallucinations, and bad dreams

93
Q

Which two opiates are commonly used with other agents during general anesthesia?

A

Morphine and fentanyl

94
Q

Which intravenous lipid-based anesthetic, used for rapid anesthesia induction, results in less postoperative nausea than thiopental?

A

Propofol

95
Q

What is the only commonly used anesthesia induction agent that does not lower blood pressure?

A

Ketamine

96
Q

What is the mechanism of action of propofol?

A

Propofol potentiates GABAA

97
Q

How does the mnemonic B.B. King on OPIATES PROPOses FOOLishly help you remember the classes and drugs involved in intravenous anesthesia?

A

Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Ketamine, OPIATES, Propofol

98
Q

What is the mechanism of action of ketamine?

A

It blocks NMDA receptors

99
Q

Name three local anesthetics with an ester group.

A

Procaine, cocaine, and tetracaine

100
Q

Local anesthetics block _____ channels by binding to specific receptors on the _____ (inner/outer) portion of the channel.

A

Sodium; inner

101
Q

Local anesthetics penetrate infected tissue _____ (less/more) efficiently because of the ______ (decreased/increased) acidity in the tissue.

A

Less; increased

102
Q

A nerve blockade has the greatest effect on nerves that are _____ (myelinated/unmyelinated) and _____ (large/small). _____ (Myelination/Size) predominates over _____ (myelination/size).

A

Myelinated; small; Size; myelination; therefore, small myelinated nerves are anesthetized first, followed by small unmyelinated fibers and then large fibers

103
Q

List the order in which the following sensation is lost during nerve blockade from first to last: pressure, pain, touch, and temperature.

A

Pain, temperature, touch, and pressure

104
Q

Name three local anesthetics with an amide group.

A

Lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine (remember: amIdes have 2 I;s in name)

105
Q

Local anesthetics preferentially bind to ______ (activated/inactivated) sodium channels, so they are most effective in ______ (rapidly/slowly) firing neurons.

A

Activated; rapidly

106
Q

Which drug is commonly mixed with local anesthesia (except for cocaine) to enhance the local anesthesia action, to decrease bleeding, and to decrease systemic concentration?

A

Epinephrine; it acts through local vasoconstriction, which leads to less dilution of the anesthetic agent

107
Q

What amide, which is used in local anesthesia, may cause severe cardiovascular toxicity?

A

Bupivacaine

108
Q

What uncommonly used local anesthetic is a commonly abused street drug that may cause cardiac arrhythmias?

A

Cocaine

109
Q

Accidentally injecting local anesthetics such as lidocaine into a vein may cause what adverse event?

A

Cardiac arrhythmia

110
Q

Succinylcholine is a _____ (depolarizing/nondepolarizing) neuromuscular blocking agent.

A

Depolarizing

111
Q

Neuromuscular blocking drugs that are commonly used for muscle paralysis during surgery or mechanical ventilation are selective for motor _____ receptors.

A

Nicotinic

112
Q

What is the antidote to phase I (prolonged depolarization) action of succinylcholine?

A

There is no antidote

113
Q

Phase I depolarization in neuromuscular blockade is potentiated by _____ inhibitors.

A

Cholinesterase

114
Q

Name six nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs.

A

Tubocurarine, atracurium, mivacurium, pancuronium, vecuronium, and rocuronium

115
Q

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs compete with _____ for receptors.

A

Acetylcholine

116
Q

What is the antidote for a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug?

A

Neostigmine or edrophonium

117
Q

Use of succinylcholine may cause what two electrolyte abnormalities?

A

Hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia

118
Q

What is the antidote for phase II (repolarized but blocked) action of succinylcholine?

A

Neostigmine or other cholinesterase inhibitors

119
Q

Which drug is used to treat malignant hyperthermia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

A

Dantrolene

120
Q

Dantrolene can treat malignant hyperthermia via what mechanism of action?

A

By preventing the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle

121
Q

The use of which two drugs concomitantly may result in malignant hyperthermia in a patient who is genetically susceptible?

A

Inhalation anesthetics with succinylcholine

122
Q

Bromocriptine is an agonist of which neurotransmitter?

A

Dopamine

123
Q

Which selective monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor prevents the breakdown of dopamine in the central nervous system?

A

Selegiline

124
Q

For which parkinsonian symptoms is benztropine effective?

A

Tremor and rigidity, but not bradykinesia (remember: decrease your tremor before you drive your Mercedes-BENZ)

125
Q

Amantadine may _____ (decrease/increase) dopamine release.

A

Increase

126
Q

Name two catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of L-dopa in the central nervous system.

A

Entacapone and tolcapone

127
Q

Patients with parkinsonism have excess activity of what neurotransmitter?

A

Acetylcholine

128
Q

What class of medication is used to treat an essential or familial tremor?

A

β-Blockers

129
Q

Which five drugs/classes are used to treat Parkinson;s disease? Use the mnemonic, BALSA.

A

Bromocriptine, Amantadine, Levodopa (with carbidopa), Selegiline (and catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors), Antimuscarinics

130
Q

What drug used to treat Parkinson;s disease is also used as an antiviral agent against influenza A and rubella?

A

Amantadine

131
Q

Amantadine toxicity is characterized by what symptom?

A

Ataxia

132
Q

Which medication used to treat Parkinson;s disease crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it is then converted into dopamine by dopa decarboxylase in the central nervous system?

A

L-dopa

133
Q

What effect may L-dopa have on the heart?

A

Arrhythmias

134
Q

Which medication is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor that is given with L-dopa to increase its effective concentration?

A

Carbidopa

135
Q

Selegiline may _____ (increase/decrease) the adverse effects of L-dopa in patients with parkinsonian conditions.

A

Increase

136
Q

Name two drugs that are approved to treat Alzheimer;s disease.

A

Memantine and donepezil

137
Q

To which class of drugs does donepezil belong?

A

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

138
Q

What three side effects are associated with donepezil?

A

Nausea, dizziness, insomnia

139
Q

Which drug, used for Alzheimer;s disease, acts as a NMDA receptor antagonist?

A

Memantine

140
Q

What are the side effects of memantine?

A

Dizziness, confusion, hallucinations

141
Q

Memantine helps prevent what calcium-mediated process in Alzheimer;s disease?

A

Excitotoxicity of neurons

142
Q

Huntington;s disease is characterized by _____ (increased/decreased) dopamine, _____ (increased/decreased) GABA, and _____ (increased/decreased) acetylcholine activity.

A

Increased; decreased; decreased

143
Q

Name two amine-depleting drugs used to treat Huntington;s disease.

A

Reserpine and tetrabenazine

144
Q

Which dopamine receptor antagonist can be used to treat Huntington;s disease?

A

Haloperidol

145
Q

What is the mechanism of action of sumatriptan?

A

It is a serotonin receptor 5-HT1B/1Dagonist that inhibits the trigeminal nerve and reduces vasoactive peptide release

146
Q

What adverse effects can result from sumatriptan use?

A

Coronary vasospasm and mild tingling

147
Q

Sumatriptan is used to treat what conditions?

A

Migraines and cluster headaches

148
Q

Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients with what two conditions due to its effect of coronary vasospasm?

A

Coronary artery disease and Prinzmetal;s angina