Drug Therapy for Parkinson's Disease and Anticholinergic Medications

Vocabulary-style flashcards on drug therapy for Parkinson's disease, COMT inhibitors, urinary antispasmodics, and anticholinergic agents based on lecture notes.

Parkinson's Disease Pathophysiology

A chronic, progressive central nervous system disorder characterized by the destruction or degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in decreased dopamine and relative excess of acetylcholine.

Pill Rolling Tremor

A classic resting tremor manifestation of Parkinson's disease involving rhythmic, involuntary movement of the thumb and fingers.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of voluntary movement, a core clinical manifestation of Parkinson's disease.

Akinesia

The absence or complete loss of voluntary muscle movement.

Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Clinical features including stooped posture, masked face, back rigidity, flexed elbows and wrists, forward tilt of trunk, reduced arm swing, hand/leg tremors, slightly flexed hips/knees, and shuffling gait.

Levodopa-Carbidopa

A dopamine receptor agonist drug combination used in Parkinson's disease where carbidopa prevents levodopa breakdown in the periphery to increase dopamine levels in the brain with lower dosages.

Tolcapone

A catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that prolongs dopamine activity by inhibiting levodopa metabolism; carries a Black Box warning for acute fulminant liver failure.

Sclera Assessment in Tolcapone Therapy

An essential nursing assessment of the eyes for jaundice (yellowing), indicating potential liver failure from tolcapone administration.

Ataxia

Uncoordinated muscle movement indicating that a patient taking levodopa-carbidopa is not receiving an adequate dose for Parkinson's symptom management.

Benztropine Mesylate

A centrally acting anticholinergic used as adjunctive therapy in Parkinson's disease to balance cholinergic and dopaminergic activity and reduce symptoms like drooling.

Dicyclomine Hydrochloride

A gastrointestinal anticholinergic smooth muscle relaxant indicated for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Oxybutynin

A urinary antispasmodic with mild anticholinergic effects that acts directly on bladder smooth muscle; it is the drug of choice for overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder, urinary urgency, and frequency.

Atropine Sulfate

An anticholinergic agent that blocks acetylcholine; it is the drug of choice for treating sinus bradycardia and serves as the antidote for cholinergic crisis/muscarinic agonist poisoning.

Sinus Bradycardia (ECG)

A cardiac rhythm with a heart rate below $60\,\text{beats/min}$ (e.g., $48\,\text{beats/min}$), treated primarily with atropine sulfate.

Anticholinergic Side Effects Mnemonic

A memory aid for common anticholinergic effects: "Can't SEE (blurred vision), Can't PEE (urinary retention), Can't SPIT (dry mouth), Can't SH*T (constipation/obstipation)".

Cholinergic vs Anticholinergic Drugs

Cholinergic drugs mimic acetylcholine and activate the parasympathetic system (e.g., pupil constriction, decreased heart rate), whereas anticholinergic drugs block acetylcholine (e.g., pupil dilation, increased heart rate, decreased secretions).

Anticholinergic Overdose Symptoms

A toxic condition characterized by hyperthermia; hot, dry, flushed skin; dry mouth; mydriasis; delirium; tachycardia; paralytic ileus; urinary retention; myoclonic movements; seizures; coma; and respiratory arrest.

Physostigmine

The specific antidote medication used to treat anticholinergic drug overdose.

Ipratropium

An anticholinergic agent used primarily to dry respiratory secretions.

Scopolamine

An anticholinergic drug used as an anti-nausea therapy and to dry secretions.

Tiotropium Bromide

An anticholinergic medication indicated for drying respiratory secretions.