Exam 3 study guide - neuro

neostigmine

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as a diagnostic tool for Myasthenia Gravis, now only available in parenteral form in the US.

pyridostigmine

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis; available in oral and parenteral forms in the US.

donepezil

Cholinergic drug used for Alzheimer’s; inhibits the metabolism of ACh, delaying disease progression.

memantine

NMDA receptor antagonist used for Alzheimer’s dementia; it blocks calcium in the CNS to prevent nerve damage.

bethanechol

Cholinergic drug used for neurogenic bladder or urinary retention; should be taken on an empty stomach.

atropine

Anticholinergic agent (belladonna alkaloid) used as an antidote for cholinergic overdose.

scopolamine

Anticholinergic agent (belladonna alkaloid) used for motion sickness and post-operative nausea, commonly used as a transdermal patch.

dicyclomine

Anticholinergic medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

oxybutynin

Anticholinergic/urinary anti-spasmodic medication used for urinary incontinence or overactive bladder.

carbidopa/levo dopa

Dopamine receptor agonist used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to increase dopamine levels in the brain.

morphine

Opioid agonist used for pain relief; it acts as a prodrug for opioid agonists.

naloxone

Opioid antagonist used as an opioid reversal agent, effective on all opioids, and can be obtained without a prescription.

fentanyl

Opioid agonist used for pain management, available in parenteral and patch forms.

-dones

Class of opioid agonists commonly used for pain, including hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and methadone.

-caines

Local anesthetics used for numbness in pain control or procedures, examples include lidocaine and bupivacaine.

-triptans

Medications used for migraine treatment; most effective when administered at the onset of a migraine.

phenobarbital

Barbiturate used to control seizures, requiring regular serum level monitoring.

diazepam

Benzodiazepine effective for seizures, anxiety, and depression, but may cause CNS/respiratory depression.

gabapentin

GABA structural analog used for partial seizures and neuropathic pain; also known by the brand name Neurontin.

phenytoin

Hydantoin anticonvulsant used for seizures; regular serum level monitoring is necessary, branded as Dilantin.

-azepines

Class of iminostilbenes used for seizure treatment.

valproate

Anticonvulsant medication requiring regular serum drug level monitoring; includes Brand names like Depacon, Depakene, and Depakote.

levetiracetam

Anticonvulsant used for seizures, marketed under the brand name Keppra.

topiramate

Medication used for seizure treatment and migraine prevention, known by the brand name Topamax.

baclofen

Gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative and skeletal muscle relaxant used for spasticity from spinal cord injury.