Pharmacology: ANS, Pain Management, and Antimicrobials

Comprehensive vocabulary terms and definitions covering Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) drugs, NSAIDs, Opioids, and Antimicrobial agents.

Bethanechol (Urecholine)

A cholinergic drug that stimulates parasympathetic receptors to increase bladder muscle tone, increasing contraction and micturition; indicated for urinary retention.

Pilocarpine (Salagen)

A cholinergic parasympathomimetic with predominant muscarinic actions that increases secretions from exocrine glands; used for xerostomia and contraindicated in uncontrolled asthma.

Neostigmine (Bloxiverz)

An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used for the reversal of neuromuscular blocking agents after surgery.

Donepezil (Aricept)

A reversible and non-competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that increases acetylcholine concentrations in the CNS; indicated for Alzheimer's and dementia.

Atropine (Atropen)

An anticholinergic and antispasmodic drug used for sialorrhea (excessive salivation), pylorospasm, and spastic conditions of the GI tract.

Scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)

An anticholinergic that blocks the action of ACh in parasympathetic sites; indicated for motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting.

Ipratropium (Atrovent)

An anticholinergic drug that prevents the increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in bronchial smooth muscle, leading to bronchodilation; indicated for COPD and asthma exacerbation.

Oxybutynin (Ditropan)

A drug with antispasmodic and antimuscarinic effects on smooth muscles used to decrease bladder contractions in overactive bladder.

Dicyclomine (Bentyl)

An anticholinergic and antispasmodic that blocks ACh at parasympathetic sites; indicated for irritable bowel syndrome.

Epinephrine

An adrenergic agonist with strong alpha and beta effects that increases cardiac output and HR; used for cardiac arrest, septic shock, and anaphylaxis.

Phenylephrine

An alpha-1 selective agonist that primarily causes vasoconstriction; used for hypotension and nasal decongestion.

Clonidine

An alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that binds to receptors in the brainstem to reduce peripheral resistance; indicated for hypertension.

Midodrine

An alpha-1 selective adrenergic agonist used for orthostatic hypotension; has a Black Box Warning for marked elevation of supine BP.

Albuterol

A beta-2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle; indicated for bronchospasm.

Dobutamine (Dobutrex)

A strong beta-1 and weak beta-2/alpha agonist that increases cardiac output, BP, and HR; indicated for cardiac decompensation.

Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline)

A noncompetitive alpha adrenergic blocker used for the management of hypertension and pheochromocytoma.

Phentolamine (Regitine)

A drug that blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors to antagonize circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine; used for pheochromocytoma.

Prazosin (Minipress)

An alpha-1 blocker that causes arterial and venous dilation to decrease BP; indicated for hypertension and off-label for PTSD nightmares.

Doxazosin (Cardura)

An alpha-1 blocker indicated for both hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by reducing tone in prostatic stromal and bladder tissue.

Tamsulosin (Flomax)

An alpha-1 blocker specifically used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by reducing tone in prostatic stromal and bladder tissue.

Nonselective Beta Blockers

Drugs like Labetalol, Propranolol, Timolol, and Carvedilol that decrease heart rate and contractility; contraindicated in COPD and asthma.

Metoprolol (Lopressor/Toprol-XL)

A selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker indicated for angina, AFib, heart failure, HTN, MI, SVT, and thyrotoxicosis.

Aspirin

An irreversible inhibitor of cyclooxygenase used at lower doses ($81\,mg/day$) for CV prevention; contraindicated in patients <19 with viral illness due to Reye Syndrome.

Ketorolac (Toradol)

An NSAID for short-term ($\le 5\,days$) management of moderate-severe acute pain; carries significant risk for GI bleeding and renal impairment.

Indomethacin (Indocin)

An NSAID used for acute gout flare, ankylosing spondylitis, and IV for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates.

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

A selective COX-2 inhibitor not associated with gastric ulcers but linked to elevated BP and thrombotic events; contraindicated with sulfonamide allergy.

Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil)

A non-selective COX inhibitor used for mild-moderate pain, fever, and inflammation; carries lower GI risk at OTC doses but risk for MI and stroke.

Diclofenac (Voltaren)

An NSAID with the highest CV risk among traditional NSAIDs and a risk for hepatotoxicity requiring LFT monitoring.

Meloxicam (Mobic)

An NSAID that is preferentially COX-2 selective at low doses; used for OA and RA.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

A centrally acting antipyretic and analgesic that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis but does NOT affect platelet function.

NAPQI

A highly reactive metabolite of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine) normally neutralized by glutathione; primary cause of hepatic necrosis in overdose.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

The antidote for acetaminophen overdose; acts as a glutathione precursor to detoxify NAPQI.

Opioid Agonists

Compounds like Morphine that bind to Mu, Kappa, and Delta receptors in the CNS to relieve pain, cause euphoria, and induce respiratory depression.

Buprenorphine

A partial mu agonist and weak kappa antagonist that provides pain relief with a 'ceiling effect' for respiratory depression.

Beta-Lactams

Bactericidal cell wall inhibitors including penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.

Tetracyclines

Bacteriostatic protein synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Doxycycline, Minocycline) that target the $30S$ ribosomal subunit.

Macrolides

Bacteriostatic protein synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Azithromycin, Clarithromycin) that target the $50S$ ribosomal subunit.

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal protein synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Gentamicin, Amikacin) that target the $30S$ subunit and exhibit concentration-dependent killing.

Fluoroquinolones

Bactericidal nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin) that target DNA gyrase.

Linezolid

An oxazolidinone that acts as a protein synthesis inhibitor at the $50S$ ribosomal subunit; covers MRSA and VRE.

Vancomycin

A bactericidal glycopeptide cell wall inhibitor that covers Gram-positive organisms including MRSA.

Metronidazole

A bactericidal nitroimidazole nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor that covers anaerobes and some parasites.

Daptomycin

A bactericidal lipopeptide that alters the cell membrane; covers Gram-positive organisms including MRSA and VRE.