Pharmacology Flashcards
(116 cards)
Simvastatin
Action: HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (STATIN)
MOA: HMG is a precursor of cholesterol, therefore inhibits the formation of cholesterol by blocking the enzyme
Use: Lowering plasma cholesterol
SE: abnormalities in liver function, GIT disturbances
Gemfibrozil
Action: Fibrates, lipid lowering
MOA: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) act as transcription factors. They increase gene transcription and causes an increase in lipoprotein lipase leading to decreased TAG
Use: Hyperlipidaemia
SE: gall stones, GIT disturbances
Acyclovir
Action: DNA polymerase inhibitors
MOA: converts monophosphate to triphosphates. Inhibits viral DNA polymerase and terminates the nucleotide chain
Use: Herpes, hep C, cytomegalovirus
SE: minimal, renal dysfunction
Zidovudine
Action: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Virus uses reverse transcriptase to copy the viral single stranded RNA to DNA
MOA: blocks reverse transcriptase and prevents completion of synthesis into DNA and stops replication
Use: HIV and hep B
SE: GIT disturbance, headache, insomnia, neuropathy
Amprenavir
Action: protease inhibitor
MOA: Virus translates mRNA into inert polyproteins and the protease converts to proteins. Amprenavir blocks this.
Use: HIV (in combination)
SE: GIT disturbances, taste disturbance and sleep problems
Amphotericin/NYSTATIN
Action and MOA: Kills fungi by binding to the ergosterol in the fungal wall membrane (not found in our cell walls) and increasing membrane permeability
Use: Candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis
SE: renal toxicity, GIT disturbances, neurological disturbances
Fluconazole/ clotrimazole
Action: fungistatic by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol that forms the cell wall
MOA: inhibits 14 alpha demethylase which is important in the coversion of lanosterol to ergosterol
SE: GI disturbances, headache, rash, hypersensitivity
Griseofulvin
Action: fungistatic by interfering with the mitosis of fungal cells
MOA: interacts with polymerised microtubules inhibiting spindle formation
Use: fungal infections of the skin, hair and scalp
SE: infrequent, GIT and headache
Paclitaxel
Actions and MOA: Binds to tubulin, keeping microtubules polymerised, preventing spindle formation in dividing cells and stopping mitosis
ADE: given by IV infusion
Use: non small cell lung cancer, ovary and breast cancer
SE: hypersenstivity reactions, myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, bradycardia, muscle & joint pain, hair loss, GI disturbance
Cisplatin
Actions and MOA: forms a reactive complex that causes intrastrand cross linking and denaturation of the DNA
ADE: IV infusion
Use: Cancer - lung, testes, ovaries, cervix, bladder, head and neck
SE: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, severe nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy
Salbutamol
SELECTIVE B2 AGONIST
Actions: bronchodilation, a physiological antagonist of spasmodic mediators
MOA: decreased calcium mediated contraction in bronchioles. Increased cAMP which activates protein kinase A (PKA). PKA inhibits myosin light chain kinase which is a mediator of contraction
Use: acute asthmatic attack. COPD. Prevent exercise induced asthma
SE: tremors, tachycardia, dysrhythmias
Salmetrol
LONG ACTING SELECTIVE B2 AGONIST
Actions: bronchodilation
MOA: decrease calcium mediated contraction in bronchioles. Increased cAMP, activates protein kinase A (PKA) which decreases myosin light chain kinase, which reduced contraction
Use: prevent bronchoconstriction with exercise induced asthma, or at night for those needing prolonged bronchodilator therapy. COPD
SE: tremros, tachycardia, dysrhythmias
Theophylline
XANTHINE
Actions: bronchodilation
MOA: Inhibits phosphodiesterase PDE4 thys increasing cAMP, relaxing smooth muscle. Inhibits PDE4 in inflammatory cells and decreases mediator release
Use: 2nd line for chronic asthma not controleed by B2 agonists
SE: GIT disturbance, tachycardia, anxiety
Montelukast
LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST
Actions: reverses brochoconstriction. Relaxes airway smotth muscle
MOA: Antagonist at cysteinyl leukotriene receptor on which bronchospasmic mediators LTc4, LTD4, LDE4 act. It decreases both early and late phase response
Use: 3rd line asthma treatment, used as adjunct to steroids and long acting B2
SE: few
Ipratropium
MUSCARINIC RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST
Actions: bronchodilation by inhibiting ACh mediated bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion
MOA: competitively antagonises ACh action on muscarinic receptors
Use: asthma adjunct to B2 agonists, steroids. COPD
SE: few
Beclometasone
ANTIASTHMATIC CORTICOSTEROID
Actions: reduces hyper-activity and decreases inflammatory delayed phase ONLY
MOA: reduces the activation of inflammatory cells and release of mediators especially chemokines
Use: added to bronchodilator therapy if inadequate
SE: hoarse voice, oral candidiasis
Methotrexate
DMARD
Action: Slows the appearance of new erosions in joints
MOA: folic acid analogue that inhibits purine and pyrimidine synthesis. It modulates secretion of cytokines and inhibits T cells
Use: Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer
Side effects: mucosal ulceration and nausea. Cirrhosis of the liver with chronic use.
NOTE: Requires periodic monitoring
Hydroxychloroquine
DMARD
MOA: Inhibition of phospholipase A2 and platelet aggregation, membrane stabilisation, antioxidant activity. They also have effects on the immune system that interferes with antigen processing
Use: RA
Side effects: ocular toxicity, irreversible retinal damage
Azathioprine
Action: immunosuppressive drug - purine analogue
MOA: It inhibits an enzyme required for DNA synthesis and affects proliferating cells e.g. T and B cells
Use: transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative collitis
Side effects: nausea and vomiting, hypersensitivity, dizziness, fatigue, anaemia, acute pancreatitis
Cyclophosphamide
Action: bifunctional alkylating agent
MOA: cytotoxic effects on B and T cells. Selectively suppresses B lymphocyte activity. Modulates immune response
Use: cancer and autoimmune conditions
Side effects: increase risk of infection and bleeding. GI disturbances, alopecia, infertility, teratogenic, toxic to kidneys
Aspirin
Action: antiplatelet, analgesic
MOA: Irreversibly inactivates COX 1; alters balance between TXA2 and PGI2 in platelet/vascular endothelium axis
Use: Reduce risk of MI or TIA
Side effects: GI bleeding, bronchospasm
Dipyridamole
Action: Inhibitor of platelet aggregation
MOA: Phophodiesterase inhibitor. Has vasodilator activity; prevents platelet adenosine uptake and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase action.
Use: secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke and TIA
Side effects: Headache, GIT disturbances and hypotension
Clopidogrel
Action: Prevents platelet aggregation/activation
MOA: Irreversibly inhibits the binding of ADP to the purine receptor on platelets inhibiting ADP mediated platelet aggreagation and interfering with Gp IIb/IIIa mediated platelet aggregation
Use: Prevention and treatment of MI
Side effects: Bleeding, GI discomfort, rashes
Abciximab
Action: Inhibits platelet aggregation
MOA: Monoclonal antibody Fab fragment against platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor. binds and inactivates receptor preventing the binding of fibrinogen thus inhibiting aggregation
Use: Adjunct to heparin. Prevents restenosis and reinfarction
Side effects: Bleeding, thrombocytopaenia