Pharmacology Video Notes - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key pharmacology concepts, actions, safety notes, and common cautions from the video notes.

Baclofen

CNS muscle relaxant; oral form (granules can be mixed with food or liquid); may cause drowsiness; doses tapered slowly to avoid seizures and hallucinations.

Alendronate

Used to treat osteoporosis and other bone-health conditions; take with a full glass of water, 30 minutes before any food/drink; remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal damage; risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Anticoagulant that prevents blood clots; monitor with INR; contraindicated in pregnancy; high risk of bleeding; antidote is vitamin K.

DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants)

Direct oral anticoagulants that prevent strokes/clots; less dietary interaction than warfarin; monitor renal function; contraindicated with high bleeding risk or mechanical heart valve.

Heparin

Anticoagulant that prevents clots; monitor aPTT; antidote is protamine sulfate.

Clopidogrel

Antiplatelet medication that prevents clots; use caution during activities with injury risk.

Gabapentin

Anticonvulsant that treats neuropathic pain; do not stop abruptly (risk of seizures); may cause suicidal thoughts; common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain.

Esomeprazole

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid; take at least 1 hour before a meal; don’t crush/chew capsules; long-term use can increase fracture risk and cause low magnesium.

Colchicine

Anti-inflammatory for gout; narrow therapeutic index (overdose risk); long-term use may cause bone marrow suppression.

Phenytoin

Antiepileptic for treating/preventing seizures; never stop abruptly; can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS); may cause gingival hyperplasia; side effects include drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, and poor coordination.

Lactulose

Synthetic sugar that draws water into the colon to soften stool; used for constipation and hepatic encephalopathy; prolonged high-dose use can cause electrolyte imbalance; side effects include gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Sucralfate

Forms a protective barrier over ulcers; used to treat/prevent duodenal ulcers; take on an empty stomach; avoid taking other meds within 2 hours of sucralfate; common side effect is constipation.

Beta Blockers

Lower blood pressure by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors; examples include metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol; avoid abrupt discontinuation; generally not ideal for asthma; can mask hypoglycemia signs in diabetes.

ACE Inhibitors

Lower blood pressure by decreasing angiotensin II; common examples include lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril.

ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers)

Block angiotensin II receptors to lower blood pressure; useful when ACE inhibitors cause cough; contraindicated in pregnancy.

ARNIs (Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors)

Sacubitril/valsartan; lowers blood pressure and treats heart failure; requires a 36-hour washout when switching from an ACE inhibitor to an ARNI to reduce angioedema risk.

Statins

Lower cholesterol levels; examples: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin; rare but serious risk of rhabdomyolysis; monitor CK levels for muscle damage.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic; removes excess water/salt; can cause excessive fluid and electrolyte loss (especially potassium).

Hydrochlorothiazide

Thiazide diuretic; promotes diuresis; avoid in anuria; can cause blurred vision and glaucoma; side effects include dizziness, headache, photosensitivity.

Spironolactone

Potassium-sparing diuretic; can cause hyperkalemia; side effects include gynecomastia, irregular menses, muscle cramps.

Vancomycin

Glycopeptide antibiotic for serious infections; risk of Red Man Syndrome with rapid infusion; potential ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Penicillin

Beta-lactam antibiotic for a broad range of infections; watch for severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis; common GI side effects and rashes.

Cimetidine

H2 blocker; reduces stomach acid and can inhibit the P450 enzyme system; potential interactions; side effects include headaches, fatigue, dizziness.

Famotidine

H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid; fewer interactions than cimetidine.

Diphenhydramine

Antihistamine with sedative effects; can cause significant drowsiness and anticholinergic effects; caution in elderly due to confusion risk.

Pioglitazone

Thiazolidinedione that improves glycemic control; long-term use linked to bladder cancer and heart failure; side effects include headache, muscle pain, swelling.

SGLT2 inhibitors

Medications that cause kidneys to excrete glucose; increased risk of genital and urinary tract infections and diabetic ketoacidosis; side effects dehydration and polyuria.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (Dulaglutide, Semaglutide)

Mimic incretin to lower blood sugar and slow gastric emptying; can cause severe GI side effects and dehydration; common side effects nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Insulin NPH

Intermediate-acting insulin used to control blood sugar; risk of hypoglycemia; requires regular glucose monitoring; side effects weight gain, injection-site pain, and potential hypokalemia.

Acetaminophen Toxicity

Maximum daily dose for adults is 4000 mg; overdose can cause liver damage; antidote is N-acetylcysteine.

Benzodiazepines Toxicity

Overdose/aldulteration toxicities treated with antidote flumazenil.

Muscarinic Poisoning (Cholinergic)

Overstimulation of muscarinic receptors; antidote is atropine; SLUDGE mnemonic helps remember symptoms.

Warfarin/Heparin Toxicity

Antidotes: vitamin K for warfarin; protamine sulfate for heparin.

Zolpidem

Sedative-hypnotic for short-term insomnia; can cause dangerous sleep behaviors (e.g., sleep-walking, sleep-driving) with amnesia; common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, coordination problems.

Alprazolam

Benzodiazepine for anxiety/panic disorders; potential for dependence and withdrawal.

Allopurinol

Reduces uric acid to treat gout; can cause serious skin rash including Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Sildenafil/Tadalafil

PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction; do not take with nitrates due to risk of severe hypotension; side effects include headache, flushing, nasal congestion.

Isosorbide/Nitroglycerin

Nitrates that relax coronary vessels to treat angina; do not use with PDE5 inhibitors due to risk of dangerous BP drop; side effects include headaches, dizziness, flushing.

Prednisone

Corticosteroid for inflammatory/autoimmune conditions; do not stop abruptly (adrenal crisis risk); long-term use can cause adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, infection risk; side effects include weight gain, increased appetite, mood changes, hypertension.