Drugs Acting on the Immune and Nervous Systems

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to drugs acting on the immune and nervous systems, noted in the lecture.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs like corticosteroids and DMARDs that treat autoimmune diseases by dampening overactive immune responses.

Biologics

Medications such as monoclonal antibodies that target specific immune pathways.

Cytokines

Chemical mediators that amplify the immune response.

Innate Immunity

The body's non-specific and immediate response to pathogens, including barriers like skin and phagocytic cells.

Adaptive Immunity

A specialized and long-lasting immune response involving T and B cells.

NSAIDs

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs that inhibit COX enzymes to reduce inflammation and pain.

Corticosteroids

Synthetic drugs that mimic hormones from the adrenal glands and suppress immune activity.

DMARDs

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs used in autoimmune diseases to slow disease progression and prevent joint damage.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective barrier that prevents certain substances from entering the brain, posing a challenge for drug delivery.

High-Throughput Screening

A phase in drug discovery where thousands of chemical compounds are screened to find those interacting with biological targets.

What are side effects of NSAIDs?

GI irritation and bleeding

Renal Impairment

Reduced function of the kidneys, a risk associated with the use of NSAIDs.

Pain Sensitivity

The degree to which an individual feels pain, which can be decreased by certain medications like NSAIDs.

Chronic Inflammation

A prolonged inflammatory response that can lead to tissue damage and is associated with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Tolerance

A condition where increased doses of a drug are required to achieve the same effect due to regular use.

Addiction

A chronic condition characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.

Autoimmune Diseases

Conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Phagocytic Cells

Immune cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, that engulf and digest pathogens and cellular debris as part of the innate immune response.

T Cells

A type of T cell that kills infected or cancerous cells directly, playing a crucial role in adaptive immunity.

B Cells

Immune cells responsible for producing antibodies, which neutralize pathogens and mediate humoral immunity.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that specifically target and bind to antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or directly neutralizing them.

What do Opioids do?

bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to block pain signals.

Non-opioid analgesics,

NSAIDs and acetaminophen,

What do non-opioid analgesics do?

act peripherally to reduce

inflammation and pain.

Examples of neuromodulator drugs

Antidepressants and anticonvulsants

What do neuromodulators do?

alter neurotransmitter levels to treat

conditions like depression or epilepsy.

Inflammation is characterized by

Redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function

Chronic Inflammation can be associated with

Rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel disease, asthma and cardiovascular disease

Which groups should use extra caution with NSAIDs?

Older adults, people with ulcers or GI bleeding, pregnant women, people with cardio disease and people with hypertension

What do COX-1 enzymes do?

maintaining protective functions in the stomach lining and platelet

aggregation.

What do COX-2 enzymes do?

primarily responsible for producing prostaglandins that mediate inflammation, pain.

and fever.

What can NSAIDS like Celecoxib do?

selectively inhibit COX-2 to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, though they may carry other risks

What are some adverse effects NSAIDS?

GI irritation and bleeding, renal impairment, heart attack or stroke, allergic reaction or asthma exacerbation

What is one way to minimize harm caused by NSAIDs?

prescribing proton pump inhibitors(PPI) for GI protection.

Long term use of corticosteroids can lead to:

Weight gain, osteoporosis, and increased infection risk, hyperglycemia, mood changes and insomnia

What does cortisol do?

plays a key role in regulating inflammation and immune responses

What are corticosteroids typically used for?

Autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, inflammatory disorders and acute injuries

Corticosteroids work by:

Suppressing the activation and proliferation of immune cells, Inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, Reducing capillary permeability and edema

DMARDs target the

underlying disease process to prevent joint damage and preserve function

Examples of tradition DMARDs

Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine

Examples of biological DMARDs

TNF inhibitors (etanercept, adalimumab), IL-6 inhibitors, B-cell depleting agents

Examples of targeted synthetic DMARDs

JAK inhibitors (e.g., tofacitinib)

DMARDs work by

Modulating immune cell activity, Inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and Reducing autoantibody production

The effects of DMARDs help

slow disease progression, reduce joint destruction, and improve quality of life for patients with chronic inflammatory conditions.

Side effects of DMARDs

Liver toxicity, Bone marrow suppression, Increased risk of infection, Gastrointestinal disturbances

What are some opioid drugs?

Morphine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl

Acetaminophen mechanism of action

Acts centrally in the brain to reduce pain and fever, Does not have anti-inflammatory properties, Preferred when inflammation is not a major component of the pain.

True or False: Acetaminophen is an NSAID

False

Examples of NSAIDs

ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib

Acetaminophen is safer for:

History of gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers or bleeding, Cardiovascular disease, Kidney impairment.

Acetaminophen needs caution for:

Liver disease, heavy alcohol use

Risks of NSAIDs:

GI risks(ulcers, bleeding), heart attack, stroke, impaired kidneys, drug interactions

What is an example of a topical NSAID?

Diclofenac gel