Clinical Correlations

Question 1

What’s the advtg of using a partial agonist?

Answer 1

Avoid the side effects of a full agonist

Question 2

What receptors does Buspirone (Buspar) act on? What is it used to treat? Why is this drug beneficial? What type of drug is it?

Answer 2

5-HT - anxiety disorder - not a barbituate or benzo, so no addiction or withdrawal potential - partial agonist

Question 3

What is Buprenorphine used for? What type of drug is it? What is its full agonist counterpart?

Answer 3

Treating narcotic overdose (it’s a partial agonist) - the full agonist is the narcotic itself

Question 4

What is Naloxone (Narcan) used to treat? What type of drug is it? What is its half-life and duration of action?

Answer 4

Heroin overdose - it’s an antagonist

Half-life: 1 hour
Duration of action: 30 - 90 min

Question 5

What effect do antacids have on absorption of tetracyclines?

Answer 5

Decreases effect (decreases plasma concentration of tetracycline)

Question 6

Do chemotherapy drugs have a narrow or wide therapeutic window?

Answer 6

Narrow

Question 7

Name two drugs with a wide therapeutic window.

Answer 7

Levetiracetam, morphine

Question 8

Fosphenytoin is a prodrug. Phenytoin is its activated counterpart. Which one is used clinically? Why?

Answer 8

Fosphenytoin - the prodrug

Phenytoin is acidic and must be diluted into a solution that can cause Long QT syndrome (predisposition to arrhythmias)

Question 9

What receptors do the following inverse agonists act on?

1. Terazosin
2. Carvedilol
3. Respiridone

Answer 9

1. a-adrenoreceptor
2. B-adrenoreceptor
3. 5 HT receptors