Pharmacology of Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiac Therapies

These flashcards cover key pharmacological concepts related to anti-inflammatory and cardiac therapies.

Five main anti-inflammatory categories

Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, Antihistamines, Leukotriene inhibitors, DMARDs.

Inflammation

A tissue/blood-vessel reaction to injury or invasion.

Infection

Microorganism invasion, usually accompanied by inflammation.

Three stages of inflammation

Vascular, Exudate (pus), Tissue repair (excess leading to scar/keloid).

Corticosteroids

Drugs that block or slow all inflammatory mediator pathways.

Corticosteroids—intended responses

Decrease redness, pain, swelling; increase function at the affected site.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit COX-1/COX-2 to decrease prostaglandins.

Intended effects of antihistamines

Decrease vessel dilation and secretions; widen airways; shrink hives and itch.

Leukotriene inhibitors—mechanism of action

Reduce the body's leukotriene production.

DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs)

Bind TNF to prevent receptor activation on WBCs, reducing inflammation and tissue destruction.

Active immunity

When the body produces antibodies in response to infection.

Passive immunity

When antibodies are given to an individual instead of produced by them.

Types of vaccines

Inactivated, Attenuated (live-modified), Toxoid, Biosynthetic, mRNA, Conjugate.

Antirejection therapy

Used to prevent transplant rejection and treat autoimmune overreactions.

Signs of heart failure

Hypertension, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, valve disease, infections.

Positive inotropes

Medications that increase heart contractility, like dopamine and milrinone.

Digoxin

A medication that inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing intracellular calcium and contractility.

Class Ia antidysrhythmics

Prolong the action potential and can cause torsades de pointes.

Class II antidysrhythmics

Beta-blockers used to treat SVT and rapid AF/flutter.

Patient teaching for antidysrhythmics

Avoid orthostasis, take exactly as prescribed, record HR, and keep follow-ups.