General Pharmacology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering general pharmacology concepts, including antibiotics, neuromuscular blocking agents, diuretics, sedatives, opioid analgesics, steroids, inotropes, vasopressors, cardiovascular agents, ACLS drugs and antithrombotic Agents.

β-Lactams

A class of antibiotics that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.

Penicillins

An antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis and is bactericidal, effective against gram-positive bacteria and anaerobes.

Cephalosporins

Antibiotics similar to penicillins that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis with fewer side effects; classified into generations based on their spectrum of activity.

Carbapenems

Newest class of β-lactam antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis and are bactericidal, used against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other organisms.

Monobactams

An antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis and is bactericidal, effective against gram-negative aerobic bacilli.

Aminoglycosides

Antibiotics that inhibit RNA translation, destabilize the cell wall, and are bactericidal; used for nosocomial gram-negative infections.

Tetracyclines

Antibiotics that inhibit attachment of RNA to the acceptor site and are bacteriostatic; effective against a variety of microorganisms.

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs)

Drugs that cause skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis; also termed paralytics or muscle relaxants.

Depolarizing Agents (NMBAs)

A type of neuromuscular blocking agent that prevents acetylcholine from binding at the receptor site, causing post-synaptic membrane depolarization and resulting in muscle flaccidity. Example: Succinylcholine (Anectine)

Non-Depolarizing Agents (NMBAs)

A type of neuromuscular blocking agent that produces paralysis and muscle weakness by competing with acetylcholine for binding at the receptor site.

Diuretic Agents

Agents that increase urine output to eliminate excess fluid from the body, reducing extracellular fluid volume.

Osmotic Diuretics

Diuretics that interfere with water re-absorption in the ascending loop of Henle and proximal tubule, used to treat acute renal failure.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Diuretics that prevent re-absorption of sodium and bicarbonate ions in the proximal tubule, used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma.

Loop Diuretics

Diuretics that inhibit absorption of NaCl ions in the ascending limb of Henle, used to treat hypertension, acute CHF, and renal failure.

Thiazide Diuretics

Diuretics that block NaCl ion re-absorption in the distal tubule, used to treat hypertension and CHF.

Potassium Sparing Diuretics

Diuretics that block sodium re-absorption in the distal tubule and collecting duct, used to treat chronic liver disease and CHF.

Sedatives and Hypnotics

Agents that depress the ascending reticular activating system, resulting in loss of consciousness; used for sleep induction, anxiety relief, and muscle relaxation.

Barbiturates

A class of sedatives and hypnotics used for anesthesia induction, as hypnotics, and for seizure control, but with toxic potential and risk of addiction.

Opioid Analgesics

Narcotic analgesics that bind to receptors for endogenous opioids, used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Steroids

Hormonal agents used to regulate metabolic functions and suppress inflammatory responses; decrease capillary permeability in edema.

Inotropes

Agents that increase the force of contraction of the myocardium.

Vasopressors

Agents that stimulate the contraction of smooth muscles of arteries and arterioles.

Catecholamines

Endogenous compounds secreted by the adrenal medulla, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, that cause vasoconstriction and tachycardia; also includes synthetic drugs like dopamine.

Anti-Arrhythmic Agents

Cardiovascular agents classified into groups (Class I-IV) based on mechanisms; Used to treat both: atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Thrombolytic Agents

Medication which restores coronary blood flow by dissolving the thrombus

Antithrombotic Agents

Agents that prevent or break up blood clots, including anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics.

Class IA Anti-Arrhythmics

Antiarrhythmics that block sodium channels in the atrium of the myocardium (treating both: atrial and ventricular arrhythmias) and repolarizing potassium currents, leading to prolonged Q-T interval.

Class IB Anti-Arrhythmics

Has limited action for ventricular arrhythmias; often used and have less proarrhythmic potential.

Class IC Anti-Arrhythmics

Drug that causes depression of fast sodium channels; slowing of conduction in all areas of the myocardium; Generally not used due to high proarrhythmic potential

Class II Anti-Arrhythmics

Blocks Beta Adrenergic Receptors in The Heart Decreasing The Effect of The Sympathetic Nervous System while decreasing: • Excitability of The Heart • Cardiac Workload, And Oxygen Consumption

Class III Anti-Arrhythmics

Drug class used to treat SVT and ventricular arrhythmias, such as Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Class IV Anti-Arrhythmics

Calcium channel Blockers – Slows Conduction And Increases Refractoriness in The A-V Node by Blocking Calcium Channels

Adenosine (Adenocard)

Miscellaneous agent used to terminate SVT

Epinephrine

Directly Affects The Alpha And Beta1 Receptors Increasing Vasoconstriction (in the coronary and cerebral vasculature) by Contraction of Smooth Muscles; Has Both Chronotropic And Inotropic Effects on Myocardium

Atropine (AtroPen)

A vasopressor Indicated for asystole or PEA.

NAVEL

medications that can be administered via endotracheal route: Naloxone, Atropine, Vasopressin, Epinephrine, Lidocaine