Veterinary Pharmacology - Nervous System Drugs

These flashcards focus on important terms and definitions related to veterinary pharmacology, specifically nervous system drugs.

Anticonvulsants

Drugs that prevent, reduce frequency, reduce severity, or control seizures but do not cure them.

Phenobarbital

A long-acting anticonvulsant drug that increases cytochrome P450 resulting in tolerance.

Benzodiazepines

A class of drugs that causes muscle relaxation and reduces anxiety; commonly used as anticonvulsants.

Euthanasia solutions

Medications used to humanely end an animal’s life, typically includes controlled drugs.

Cholinergic drugs

Parasympathomimetic drugs that mimic effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Anticholinergic drugs

Parasympatholytic agents that block parasympathetic nervous system effects.

General Anesthetics

Drugs that produce a loss of consciousness for surgical procedures.

Local Anesthetics

Medications that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness by preventing nerve impulse conduction.

Alpha-2 agonists

Drugs that provide sedation through binding to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors.

MAC (Minimum Alveolar Concentration)

The lowest concentration of anesthetic that prevents movement in response to a painful stimulus in 50% of subjects.

Neuromuscular blocking agents

Drugs that cause paralysis by blocking transmission at the neuromuscular junction.

Doxapram

A CNS stimulant drug used to stimulate respiration, commonly used in neonatal resuscitation.

Propranolol

A non-selective beta blocker used to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

Epinephrine

A non-selective adrenergic agonist used in cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis.

Isoflurane

An inhalant anesthetic used for maintaining anesthesia during surgery.