Block 15 Drugs

Question 1

What class of drug is diphenoxylate?

Answer 1

Antimotility agent (opioid derivative)

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of diphenoxylate?

Answer 2

It inhibits gastrointestinal motility by acting on opioid receptors in the gut wall.

Question 3

What is diphenoxylate used for?

Answer 3

Adjunctive treatment of acute diarrhea.

Question 4

What are the side effects of diphenoxylate?

Answer 4

CNS depression at high doses, anticholinergic effects (with atropine), risk of dependence.

Question 5

What class of drug is loperamide?

Answer 5

Antimotility agent (opioid receptor agonist)

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of loperamide?

Answer 6

It acts on peripheral opioid receptors to slow gut motility and increase water absorption.

Question 7

What is loperamide used for?

Answer 7

Symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea.

Question 8

What are the side effects of loperamide?

Answer 8

Constipation, abdominal cramps, dizziness; toxic megacolon in infectious diarrhea.

Question 9

What class of drug is kaolin?

Answer 9

Adsorbent antidiarrheal.

Question 10

What is the mechanism of action of kaolin?

Answer 10

It adsorbs toxins, bacteria, and fluids in the gut.

Question 11

What is kaolin used for?

Answer 11

Treatment of non-specific diarrhea (historical use, less common now).

Question 12

What are the side effects of kaolin?

Answer 12

Constipation; may reduce absorption of other oral medications.

Question 13

What class of drug is ispaghula husk?

Answer 13

Bulk-forming laxative.

Question 14

What is the mechanism of action of ispaghula husk?

Answer 14

It absorbs water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and stimulating peristalsis.

Question 15

What is ispaghula husk used for?

Answer 15

Treatment of constipation.

Question 16

What are the side effects of ispaghula husk?

Answer 16

Bloating, flatulence; risk of bowel obstruction if taken without enough water.

Question 17

What class of drug is lactulose?

Answer 17

Osmotic laxative.

Question 18

What is the mechanism of action of lactulose?

Answer 18

It is metabolized in the colon to organic acids, drawing water into the bowel and lowering pH.

Question 19

What is lactulose used for?

Answer 19

Treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy.

Question 20

What are the side effects of lactulose?

Answer 20

Bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramps, diarrhea.

Question 21

What class of drug is bisacodyl?

Answer 21

Stimulant laxative.

Question 22

What is the mechanism of action of bisacodyl?

Answer 22

It stimulates enteric nerves to increase intestinal motility and promotes fluid secretion.

Question 23

What is bisacodyl used for?

Answer 23

Short-term treatment of constipation; bowel prep before procedures.

Question 24

What are the side effects of bisacodyl?

Answer 24

Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance with prolonged use.

Question 25

What class of drug is docusate?

Answer 25

Stool softener (surfactant laxative).

Question 26

What is the mechanism of action of docusate?

Answer 26

It lowers stool surface tension, allowing water and fats to soften stool.

Question 27

What is docusate used for?

Answer 27

Treatment and prevention of constipation.

Question 28

What are the side effects of docusate?

Answer 28

Mild abdominal cramps, diarrhea; rare hepatotoxicity.

Question 29

What class of drug is allopurinol?

Answer 29

Xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

Question 30

What is the mechanism of action of allopurinol?

Answer 30

It inhibits xanthine oxidase, reducing uric acid synthesis.

Question 31

What is allopurinol used for?

Answer 31

Prevention of gout, uric acid kidney stones, hyperuricemia.

Question 32

What are the side effects of allopurinol?

Answer 32

Rash, hypersensitivity reactions

Question 33

What class of drug is hydrocortisone?

Answer 33

Glucocorticoid (with some mineralocorticoid activity).

Question 34

What is the mechanism of action of hydrocortisone?

Answer 34

It modulates gene expression to exert anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Question 35

What is hydrocortisone used for?

Answer 35

Adrenal insufficiency replacement, inflammatory and allergic conditions.

Question 36

What are the side effects of hydrocortisone?

Answer 36

Cushing’s syndrome, immunosuppression, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia.

Question 37

What class of drug is betamethasone?

Answer 37

Potent glucocorticoid.

Question 38

What is the mechanism of action of betamethasone?

Answer 38

It suppresses inflammation by modulating gene transcription.

Question 39

What is betamethasone used for?

Answer 39

Severe allergic, dermatologic, autoimmune conditions; antenatal fetal lung maturation.

Question 40

What are the side effects of betamethasone?

Answer 40

Skin thinning, Cushingoid features,

Question 41

What class of drug is fludrocortisone?

Answer 41

Mineralocorticoid.

Question 42

What is the mechanism of action of fludrocortisone?

Answer 42

Promotes sodium and water retention and potassium excretion in renal tubules.

Question 43

What is fludrocortisone used for?

Answer 43

Mineralocorticoid replacement in Addison’s disease.

Question 44

What are the side effects of fludrocortisone?

Answer 44

Hypertension

Question 45

What class of drug is beclomethasone?

Answer 45

Inhaled corticosteroid.

Question 46

What is the mechanism of action of beclomethasone?

Answer 46

It reduces airway inflammation by suppressing cytokine production and inflammatory cell activation.

Question 47

What is beclomethasone used for?

Answer 47

Prophylaxis and treatment of asthma; allergic rhinitis.

Question 48

What are the side effects of beclomethasone?

Answer 48

Oral candidiasis, hoarseness, adrenal suppression at high doses.