Pharmacology Chapter 13 and 16 Vet Tech

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter that transmits nerve impulses; it is released at the preganglionic synapse in the sympathetic nervous system and both the pre- and postganglionic synapses in the parasympathetic nervous system; abbreviated ACh

acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and readies the muscle fibers for the next nerve impulse

antidotes

substances given to counteract the effects of another drug

anti-inflammatory drugs

drugs that relieve signs of inflammation

competitive nondepolarizers

drugs that block activity at the neuromuscular junction by competing with acetylcholine for the same receptor sites thus inhibiting the effects of acetylcholine; also called curarizing agents

depolarizing drug

muscle paralyzing drugs that depolarize the cell membrane of muscle fibers by mimicking the action of ACh

inflammation

a normal response of living tissue to injury, infection, or irritation; involves vascular changes and release of chemicals that help the body destroy harmful agents at the injury site

neuromuscular blocking agents

drugs that paralyze muscles by disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses from the motor nerves to skeletal muscle fibers

neuromuscular junction

the point where a nerve fiber meets the muscle cells it affects

spasmolytics

drug used to treat acute episodes of muscle spasticity associated with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders

antipyretic

reduces fever

corticosteroids

hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (e.g., glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids)

iatrogenic

produced by treatment

mineralocorticoids

a type of corticosteroid that functions primarily to help the body retain sodium and the kidneys to secrete potassium; the main mineralocorticoid in animals is aldosterone

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

drug that reduces inflammation by blocking the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (e.g., aspirin and phenylbutazone)

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

group of anti-inflammatory drugs that have the steroid configuration of carbon atoms in four interlocking rings (e.g., glucocorticoids such as cortisol); drugs that reduce inflammation by blocking the action of the enzyme phospholipase