Pharmacology Exam I Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering neuropathy medications, gout treatments, NSAIDs (specifically Aspirin), Acetaminophen, Opioid management, and Antivirals based on the lecture transcript.

Tramadol

An opioid medication used for neuropathy that carries warnings for suicide risk in those with ideation and potential for seizures.

Gabapentin

A neuropathy medication where the patient should be taught to report rapid weight gain.

Pregabalin

A neuropathy medication with adverse drug reactions including dizziness and suicidal ideation; patients should avoid alcohol or other CNS depressants.

Intermittent Claudication

Cramping that occurs with activity and is relieved by rest, often associated with narrowed arteries.

Pentoxifylline

A medication with a mechanism of action that improves blood flow, used for patients experiencing intermittent claudication.

Allopurinol

A chronic gout medication that stops uric acid production; requires monitoring for hypersensitivity reactions (SJS) and agranulocytosis.

Agranulocytosis

A potential adverse drug reaction of Allopurinol characterized by fever, sore throat, and infection.

Probenecid

A chronic gout medication that works by increasing uric acid excretion.

Aspirin Nursing Considerations (Surgery)

Aspirin should be discontinued $5-7$ days before surgery due to the risk of bleeding.

Sucralfate

A drug that reacts in stomach $pH < 4$ to form a sticky gel that adheres to ulcers, creating a barrier to $H^+$ ions.

Sucralfate Administration

Must be taken on an empty stomach $1$ hour before meals and at bedtime, and other drugs should be taken $2$ hours before or after.

Colchicine

An anti-inflammatory used for acute gout flare-ups; medication must be stopped and a doctor notified if GI toxicity (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) occurs.

Signs of GI Bleeding

Key signs include melena (black, tarry stools), severe abdominal pain, and coffee ground emesis.

Reye's Syndrome

A condition involving brain and liver swelling that can occur in children $< 12$ years old who take aspirin after a viral illness or varicella vaccine.

CRASHED (Aspirin Toxicity)

A mnemonic for salicylate poisoning symptoms: Confusion, Renal failure, Antipyretics needed (hyperthermia), Sound in ears (Tinnitus), Hemorrhage, Emesis, and Dehydration.

Aspirin Mechanism of Action

A first-generation NSAID that works through irreversible Cox 1 blocking.

Acetaminophen

A nonopioid analgesic that works in the hypothalamus to decrease temperature and pain; it does not affect inflammation, platelet aggregation, or gastric ulcers.

Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

The clinical antidote used for an acetaminophen overdose.

Acetaminophen Dosage Limit

Liver damage and overdose can occur when taking more than $4$ grams per day.

2nd Gen NSAIDs (COX-2 Inhibitors)

Selective NSAIDs like Celecoxib and Meloxicam that target pain and inflammation with less effect on platelet aggregation and the gastric mucosa.

Ketorolac

A first-generation NSAID that should not be used for more than $5$ days, with a maximum dose of $40\,mg/day$.

Cox-1 vs. Cox-2

Cox-1 is involved in platelet aggregation and stomach lining maintenance; Cox-2 mediates inflammatory response and pain signaling.

Opioid Toxicity Triad

The clinical presentation of opioid toxicity consisting of coma, respiratory depression, and miosis (pinpoint pupils).

Meperidine (Demerol)

An opioid that lowers the seizure threshold and is more likely to cause hallucinations and confusion, specifically in older individuals.

Naloxone (Narcan)

An opioid antagonist used for rapid reversal of respiratory depression; it has a shorter half-life ($1-1.5\,hours$) than morphine.

Opioid Respiratory Assessment

Before administering opioids, the respiratory rate (RR) must be checked; if RR is less than $12$, the medication cannot be given.

Fun in The Sun (Mnemonic)

A memory trick for drugs that increase photosensitivity: Fluoroquinolones, Tetracyclines, and Sulfonamides.

VACAnt bike (Mnemonic)

A memory trick for nephrotoxic drugs: Vancomycin, Aminoglycosides, Cyclosporine, and Amphotericin B.

Interferons

Immune modifiers used for Hepatitis C that require monitoring for depression, suicidal ideation, hepatotoxicity, and myelosuppression.

Antiretroviral Therapy Goal

In HIV/AIDS treatment, the goal is to reduce viral load to an undetectable level in the blood ($< 50\,copies/mL$).

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

An antiviral drug for Influenza that should ideally be administered within $2$ days of symptom onset.

Acyclovir

The drug of choice for treating Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2).