Neuro Pharmacology Flashcards
(20 cards)
Catagories of Neuro Meds (5)
1) Antiepileptic Agents
2) Antispasticity Agents
3) Cholinergic Agents
4) Dopamine Replacement Agents
5) Muscle Relaxant Agents
Antiepileptic Agent Indications and Actions
- Indications: seizures
- Action: Attempt to inhibit firing of certain cerebral neurons through effects on the CNS
Antiepileptic Agent side effects
- Ataxia**
- skin issues
- Behavioral changes
- GI issues
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain
Antiepileptic Agent PT implications
- Know protocol for responding to a seizure
- Seizure pt’s may have greater sensitivity to light and noise level
Antiepileptic Agent Examples
- Seconal (secobarbital)
- Klonopin (clonazepam)*
- Depakote (valporic acid)
- Dilantin (phenytoin)*
- Tegretol (carbamazepine)
- Celontin (methsuxiimide)
- Neurotin (gabapentin)*
Antispasticity Agents Indications and Actions
- Indications: Increased tone, spasticity (SCI, CVA, MS)
- Actions: Selectively bind within CNS or skeletal muscle to promote relaxation
Antispasticity Agents Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Generalized muscle weakness*
- Hepatotoxicity potential with Dantrium*
- Tolerance
- Dependence*
Antispasticity Agent PT Implications
-Once spasticity is reduced, therapists focus on therapeutic handling techniques, facilitation, and strengthening to improve mobility to make up for loss of function with dec tone
Antispasticity Agent Examples
- Liorseol (baclofen)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Dantrium (dantrolene)
- Zanaflex (tizanidine)
Cholinergic Agents Indications and Actions
- Indications: Glaucoma, dementia due to Alzheimer’s, post-op decrease in GI motility, myasthenia gravis, reversal of anticholinergic toxicity
- Actions: cholinergic direct stimulants mimic Ach and binds to cholinergic receptors. Indirect cholinergic stimulants increase cholinergic synapse activity through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (=> cholinergic synaptic transmission)
Cholinergic Agents Side Effects
- GI distress
- Impaired visual accomodation
- Bronchoconstriction
- Bradycardia
- Flushing
- Other parasympathetic effects
Cholinergic Agents PT Implications
- Pts may experience decreased HR and dizziness
- PTs should know sympathetic/parasympathetic systems to notice unexpected side effects
- **Alzheimer and myasthenia gravis pts may be able to better participate in PT
Cholinergic Agents Examples
- Direct: Duvoid (bethanechol), Pilocar (pilocarpine)
- Indirect: Aricept (donepezil), Tensilon (edrophonium), Prostigmin (neostigmine), Cognex (tacrine)
Dopamine Replacement Agents Indications and Actions
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease/Parkinsonism
Actions: Transform into dopamine within the brain to relieve Parksinson symptoms
Dopamine Replacement Agents Side Effects
-Arrythmias (Levodopa), GI distress, orthostatic hypotension, dyskinesia, mood/behavioral changes, tolerance
Dopamine Replacement Agents PT Implications
- Schedule therapy 1 hour after Levodopa administration for max benefit
- Be mindful of drug holidays
- Monitor BP for orthostatic HoTN
Muscle Relaxant Agents Indications and Actions
- Indications: muscle spasms- occur secondary to msk or peripheral nerve injury
- Relax spasming muscles (continuous tonic contraction)
Muscle Relaxant Agents Side Effects
- Sedation
- Drowsiness/dizziness
- Nausea/vomitting
- Headache
- Tolerance
- Dependence*
Muscle Relaxant Agents PT Implications
- maximize potential for relaxtion
- Prevent re-injury through stretching, posture retraining, and education
Muscle Relaxant Agent Examples
-Valium (diazepam), Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Paraflex (Chlorzoxazone)
