The Sixty Drugs we Must Know Seminar One Part One

Question 1

Carbachol

Answer 1

Receptor: Direct acting agonist;

Indication for use: Used locally for miosis and to decrease IOP (Glaucoma);

Clinical features: Less susceptible to cholinesterases and acts for longer.

Question 2

Pilocarpine

Answer 2

Receptor: Direct acting agonist;

Indication for use: acts on smooth muscle of eye – miosos and increases aqueous outflow leading to decrease in IOP.

Question 3

Bethanachol

Answer 3

Receptor: Direct acting agonist;

Indication for use: stimulates urinary and GI tract – treats urinary retention and lack of muscular tone in GIT;

Question 4

Amantadine

Answer 4

Pharmacodynamics: NMDA type glutamate receptor antagonist, increases dopamine releases and blocks reuptake, anticholinergic;

Indications for use: treats the dyskinesia caused by levodopa as it stabilises the close state of NMDA receptors. (PD)

Question 5

Amitriptyline

Answer 5

Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitors (Classic Tricyclic
Antidepressants (CTAs));
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).

Question 6

Atropine

Answer 6

Receptor: Anti-muscarinic;
Indication for use: Effects eye, GIT, heart and salivary, sweat and lacrimal glands. Relaxation of ciliary muscles (mydriases causing cycoplegia) long duration so shorter acting drugs like cyclopentoate and tropicamide are used;

Clinical features: blocks M3 receptors leading to reduced motility leading to prolonged gastric emptying and increased transit time; atropine can block M2 receptor on SA and AV node leading to tachycardia; blocks glands so dry mouth, dry skin and body temperature rises.

Question 7

Articaine

Answer 7

Pharmacodynamics: Lipid soluble amide anaesthetic;

Indications for use: Reversible anaesthesia (dentistry),

Question 8

Acidum Acetylsalicyclicum (Aspirin)

Answer 8

Pharmacodynamics: Salicylate NSAID;

Indication for use: analgesic at low dose, anti-inflammatory at high dose.

Question 9

Acetaminophen (paracetamol)

Answer 9

Pharmacodynamics: Reduces COX in the CNS;

Indication for use: Pain relief and anti-pyretic.

Question 10

Benzotropine

Answer 10

Pharmacodynamics: mACh blocker;
Indications for use: decreases extrapyrimidal
effects associated with Parkinson’s and a result of anti-psychotics.

Question 11

Bromocriptine

Answer 11

Pharmacodynamics: Dopamine agonists;
Indications for use: Reduces the mobility related symptoms associated with Parkinson’s such as Ataxia and bradykinesia;
Clinical features: Limited by side effects: nausea, vomiting,
somnolescence, fibrotic reactions in the lungs / retroperitoneum / pericardium.

Question 12

Caffeine sodium benzoate

Answer 12

Pharmacodynamics: adenosine receptor antagonist - acts as a stimulant (analeptic);
Indications for use: Respiratory depression associated with narcotic overdose and given with ergots in the treatment of vascular headaches (migraine).

Question 13

Carbamazepine

Answer 13

Pharmacodynamics: Voltage-dependent sodium ion channel blocker;
Indications for use: Used to reduce inappropriate focal
discharge (seizures) (partial seizures, secondarily generalised seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures) by blocking of voltage dependent / gated sodium ion channels.

Question 14

Celecoxib

Answer 14

Pharmacodynamics: COX - 2 selective blocker NSAID;

Indication for use: Anti - inflammatory pain relief.

Question 15

Chlordiazepoxide

Answer 15

Pharmacodynamics: (Benzodiazepines) GABA-A agonists;

Indications for use: Used as anxiolytics and as sedatives / hypnotics.

Question 16

Chlorpromazine

Answer 16

Pharmacodynamics: Mixed blocker / antagonist (D, 5-HT, H, α, mACh);
Indications for use: Typical neuroleptics –> antipsychotic affect, sedation, anti-emitic.

Question 17

Clozapine

Answer 17

Pharmacodynamics: 5-HT blocker;
Indications for use: Atypical antipsychotic reduces suicidal tendencies and used when treatment with other more common drugs is insufficient.

Question 18

Diazepam

Answer 18

Pharmacodynamics: (Benzodiazepines) GABA-A agonists;
Indications for use: Used as anxiolytics and as sedatives / hypnotic and treats seizures. Diazepam treats muscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

Question 19

Doxazosin

Answer 19

Pharmacodynamics: Selective α1 blocker;
Indication for use: on vascular smooth muscle which reduces blood pressure and blocks receptors on smooth muscle of bladder neck and prostrate causing smooth muscle to relax leading to relief of urinary issues related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Question 20

Doxylamine

Answer 20

Pharmacodynamics: H1 blocker;

Indications for use: treats schizophrenic patients by inducing sedation.

Question 21

Droperidol

Answer 21

Pharmacodynamics: Dopamine antagonists;
Indications for use: Neuroleptic D2 blockers in mesolimbic and mesocortical systems cause antipsychotic effect. In vomiting centre has an anti-emitic effect.

Question 22

Epinephrine

Answer 22

Pharmacodynamics: at low doses stimulates beta adrenergic system (vasodilation) at high doses stimulates alpha adrenergic system (vasoconsriction);
Indications for use: Bronchospasm: Epinephrine is the primary drug used in the emergency treatment of respiratory conditions when bronchoconstriction has resulted in diminished respiratory function; Anaphylactic shock; Cardiac arrest: Epinephrine may be used to restore cardiac rhythm in patients with cardiac arrest; prolongs anaesthesia by causing vasoconstriction.

Question 23

Ethosuximide

Answer 23

Pharmacodynamics: T-type calcium channel blockers;

Indications for use: Reduces inappropriate focal discharge (seizures).

Question 24

Flumazenil

Answer 24

Pharmacodynamics: GABA-A antagonist;

Indications for use: acts as an antidote to benzodiazepine overdose through competitive inhibition.

Question 25

Fluoxetine

Answer 25

Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitors (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs);
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).

Question 26

Hypericum Perforatum (St John’s Wort)

Answer 26

Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitor (Herbal);

Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).

Question 27

Ibuprofen

Answer 27

Pharmacodynamics: propionic acid COX - 1 selective blocker NSAID;
Indication for use: Anti - inflammatory pain relief.

Question 28

Isofluran

Answer 28

Pharmacodynamics: Suppress NT release in the CNS;
Indication for use: General anaesthetic (inhaled);
Clinical features: Muscle relaxation, quick recovery, stable cardiac output, doesn’t’t raise intracranial pressure, doesn’t sensitise heart to epinephrine.

Question 29

Imipramine

Answer 29

Pharmacodynamics: MA uptake inhibitors (Classic Tricyclic
Antidepressants (CTAs));
Indications for use: Used to relieve depressive symptoms (antidepressant).

Question 30

Ketamine

Answer 30

Pharmacodynamics: NMDA antagonist;
Indications for use: Nootropics: NMDA antagonists beneficial in reducing brain damage after strokes and head
injury. Treats epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and ADHD. Clinical features: Used in treatment of depression as an anaesthetic and as analgesia. Can cause hypertension, tachycardia and hypersalivation. Lipid soluble.