CA2 Drug List

Question 1

[Pharmacogenomics] What does Warfarin target?

Answer 1

Target: Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1)
Type: Antagonist (Vitamin K antagonist)
Action: Inhibits VKORC1, reducing clotting factor synthesis and anticoagulating blood.
Pharmacogenomics: Genetic variations in the VKORC1 gene and CYP2C9 enzyme affect drug metabolism and dose requirements. Patients with certain VKORC1 or CYP2C9 variants may require lower doses to prevent bleeding risks.
Adverse Reactions: Bleeding, bruising, risk of severe hemorrhage with improper dosing

Question 2

[Pharmacogenomics] Gefitinib

Answer 2

Target: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase
Type: Inhibitor
Action: Blocks EGFR signaling pathways, inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Adverse Reactions: Diarrhea, skin rash, liver enzyme elevation.

Question 3

[Pharmacogenomics] Irinotecan

Answer 3

Target: Topoisomerase I enzyme
Type: Inhibitor
Action: Prevents DNA unwinding, inhibiting cancer cell replication.
Adverse Reactions: Severe diarrhea, neutropenia, fatigue

Question 4

[Cholinergic Drugs] hemicholinium

Answer 4

Target: Choline transporter
Type: Antagonist
Action: Inhibits choline uptake, reducing acetylcholine synthesis.
Adverse Reactions: Not commonly used clinically; mainly experimental.

Question 5

[Cholinergic Drugs] Vesamicol

Answer 5

Target: Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)
Type: Antagonist
Action: Blocks acetylcholine storage in vesicles.
Adverse Reactions: Not widely used; limited clinical data

Question 6

[Cholinergic Drugs] Botulinum toxin

Answer 6

Target: Presynaptic neurons
Type: Antagonist
Action: Inhibits acetylcholine release, causing muscle paralysis.
Adverse Reactions: Muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, breathing issues.

Question 7

[Cholinergic Drugs]Pralidoxime

Answer 7

Target: Acetylcholinesterase (after organophosphate poisoning)
Type: Agonist (reactivates enzyme)
Action: Restores acetylcholinesterase function.
Adverse Reactions: Dizziness, blurred vision, tachycardia.

Question 8

[Cholinergic Drugs]Atropine

Answer 8

Target: Muscarinic receptors
Type: Antagonist
Action: Reduces parasympathetic effects (e.g., decreases secretions).
Adverse Reactions: Dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention

Question 9

[Cholinergic Drugs] Bethanechol

Answer 9

Target: Muscarinic receptors
Type: Agonist
Action: Stimulates bladder and gastrointestinal smooth muscle.
Adverse Reactions: Sweating, nausea, bradycardia.

Question 10

[Cholinergic Drugs] Pilocarpine

Answer 10

Target: Muscarinic receptors
Type: Agonist
Action: Increases secretions; used in glaucoma.
Adverse Reactions: Sweating, blurred vision, headache.

Question 11

[Cholinergic Drugs] Succinylcholine

Answer 11

Target: Nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junction
Type: Agonist (depolarizing blocker)
Action: Causes temporary paralysis by sustained depolarization.
Adverse Reactions: Muscle pain, hyperkalemia, malignant hyperthermia

Question 12

[Cholinergic Drugs] Pancuronium

Answer 12

Target: Nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junction
Type: Antagonist (non-depolarizing blocker)
Action: Induces muscle paralysis by blocking acetylcholine.
Adverse Reactions: Hypertension, tachycardia, respiratory depression.

Question 13

[Cholinergic Drugs] Anticholinesterases (neostigmine, pyridostigmine, and parathion)

Answer 13

Target: Acetylcholinesterase enzyme
Type: Inhibitors
Action: Increases acetylcholine by preventing breakdown.
Adverse Reactions: Nausea, muscle cramps, bradycardia (varies with agent)

Question 14

[Adrenergic drugs] Noradrenaline/Adrenaline

Answer 14

Noradrenaline / Adrenaline

Target: α and β adrenergic receptors
Type: Agonists
Action: Increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Adverse Reactions: Arrhythmias, hypertension, anxiety.

Question 15

[Adrenergic drugs] Salbutamol

Answer 15

Target: β2 adrenergic receptors
Type: Agonist
Action: Bronchodilation (used in asthma).
Adverse Reactions: Tremor, tachycardia, headache.

Question 16

[Adrenergic drugs] Phenylephrine

Answer 16

Target: α1 adrenergic receptors
Type: Agonist
Action: Vasoconstriction; increases blood pressure.
Adverse Reactions: Hypertension, reflex bradycardia

Question 17

[Adrenergic drugs] Clonidine

Answer 17

Target: α2 adrenergic receptors
Type: Agonist
Action: Lowers blood pressure by reducing sympathetic outflow.
Adverse Reactions: Drowsiness, dry mouth, rebound hypertension.

Question 18

[Adrenergic drugs] Propranolol

Answer 18

Target: β adrenergic receptors
Type: Antagonist (β-blocker)
Action: Reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
Adverse Reactions: Bradycardia, bronchospasm, fatigue

Question 19

[Adrenergic drugs] α-methyl-p-tyrosine

Answer 19

Target: Tyrosine hydroxylase (enzyme)
Type: Inhibitor
Action: Reduces catecholamine synthesis.
Adverse Reactions: Sedation, hypotension.

Question 20

[Adrenergic drugs] Reserpine

Answer 20

Target: Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT)
Type: Antagonist
Action: Depletes norepinephrine, lowering blood pressure.
Adverse Reactions: Depression, nasal congestion, hypotension.

Question 21

[Adrenergic drugs] Amphetamine, Ephedrine, Tyramine

Answer 21

Target: Adrenergic nerve terminals
Type: Indirect agonists
Action: Promote norepinephrine release.
Adverse Reactions: Hypertension, insomnia, tachycardia.

Question 22

[Adrenergic drugs] Cocaine

Answer 22

Target: Monoamine reuptake transporters
Type: Inhibitor
Action: Blocks norepinephrine reuptake, increasing its action.
Adverse Reactions: Euphoria, hypertension, risk of addiction.

Question 23

[Adrenergic drugs] Moclobemide

Answer 23

Target: Monoamine oxidase A
Type: Inhibitor
Action: Increases levels of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Adverse Reactions: Insomnia, dizziness, nausea.

Question 24

[Antihistamines] Chlorpheniramine

Answer 24

Chlorpheniramine

Target: H1 histamine receptors
Type: Antagonist
Action: Reduces allergy symptoms.
Adverse Reactions: Sedation, dry mouth.

Question 25

[Antihstamines] Diphenhydramine

Answer 25

Target: H1 histamine receptors Type: Antagonist Action: Reduces allergy symptoms, has sedative effects. Adverse Reactions: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth

Question 26

[Antihstamines] Cetirizine

Answer 26

Target: H1 histamine receptors Type: Antagonist Action: Non-sedating allergy relief. Adverse Reactions: Drowsiness (mild), headache.

Question 27

[Antihstamines] Fexofenadine

Answer 27

Target: H1 histamine receptors Type: Antagonist Action: Non-sedating allergy relief. Adverse Reactions: Nausea, headache.

Question 28

[NSAIDS] Aspirin

Answer 28

Target: COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes Type: Irreversible inhibitor Action: Reduces inflammation, pain, and fever; antiplatelet effect. Adverse Reactions: GI bleeding, ulceration Only aspirin can bind covalently to COX

Question 29

[NSAIDS] Paracetamol

Answer 29

COX-3 selective inhibitor Type: Weak inhibitor Action: Reduces pain and fever. Adverse Reactions: Liver toxicity at high doses

Question 30

[NSAIDS] Ibuprofen

Answer 30

Target: COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes Type: Reversible inhibitor Action: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic. Adverse Reactions: GI upset, kidney issues.

Question 31

[NSAIDS] Celecoxib

Answer 31

Target: COX-2 enzyme Type: Selective inhibitor Action: Anti-inflammatory with reduced GI side effects. Adverse Reactions: Cardiovascular risk.

Question 32

[Corticosteroids] Hydrocortisone

Answer 32

Target: Glucocorticoid receptors Type: Agonist Action: Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant. Adverse Reactions: Weight gain, hyperglycemia.

Question 33

[Corticosteroids] Prednisone/Prednisolone

Answer 33

Target: Glucocorticoid receptors Type: Agonist Action: Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant

Question 34

[Corticosteroids] Methyprenisolone/Triamcinolone

Answer 34

Target: Glucocorticoid receptors Type: Agonists Action: Both drugs bind to glucocorticoid receptors to reduce inflammation and immune activity. Methylprednisolone is often preferred for its higher potency. Adverse Reactions: May cause fluid retention, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and muscle weakness with long-term use.

Question 35

[Corticosteroids] Betamethasone/Dexamethasone

Answer 35

Target: Glucocorticoid receptors Type: Agonists Action: Potent corticosteroids that modulate gene expression by activating glucocorticoid receptors, strongly suppressing inflammation and immune response. Adverse Reactions: Long-term adverse effects include adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, mood changes, and potential Cushingoid features.

Question 36

[PED inhibitors tutorial] Sildenafil citrate

Answer 36

Target: Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme Type: Inhibitor Action: Inhibits PDE5 in the smooth muscle of blood vessels, primarily in the lungs and penis. This leads to an increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), causing smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow. It is primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Adverse Reactions: Common side effects include headache, flushing, dizziness, visual disturbances (such as a blue tint to vision), and nasal congestion. Rare but serious effects include priapism (prolonged erection), hypotension, and sudden hearing loss.