Drugs, Toxins and Poisons Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is an expectorant?
A class of chemical agents which aid in the clearance of mucus from the airway.
What is syrup of ipecac? What was its medical purpose?
An expectorant which also rapidly induces forceful vomiting.
The capability to induce vomiting made it a common method of treating orally ingested poisons.
What is the medical purpose of activated charcoal?
To absorb ingested toxins before they are absorbed by the body, thereby mitigating the damage they can cause.
What is salbutamol? What is its purpose?
A beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that is used in order to open up the medium and large lung airways.
How is salbutamol administered?
Administered with an inhaler or nebuliser.
What is the difference between opioids and opiates?
Opioids are compounds that bind to opioid receptors, natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic.
Opiates are natural compounds found in the opium poppy that bind to opioid receptors.
What is an alternative name for paracetamol?
Acetminophen.
What is paracetamol? What is its purpose?
A non-opioid analgesic.
To treat fevers and mild to moderate pain.
What does NSAID stand for?
What effects do all NSAIDs share?
NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- Reduces pain
- Decreases inflammation
- Decreases fever
- Prevents blood clot formation
What is a common side effect of NSAID usage?
Gastric ulceration.
What drugs are derived from the opium poppy?
Opiates.
What drug is derived from digitalis (foxglove)?
Digoxin
What is digoxin? What is its purpose?
A medication used to treat various heart dysfunctions by increasing myocardial contractility.
What are the symptoms of strychnine poisoning?
Tetanic posture due to muscle contraction.
The obvious presentation of this is the famous “strychnine smile”
What makes cyanide toxic to the body?
Inhibits enzyme cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain, thereby preventing completion of aerobic respiration.
How does arsenic poison the body?
It binds to ADP in place of a phosphate group. Due to how strongly it binds, the bond can’t be naturally broken. In doing so it prevents ATP synthesis causing many bodily functions to cease.
