drugs for neurogenerative disorders

What is parkinson’s disease caused by?

dopamine depletion

What drugs reverse the EPS effects caused by parkinson’s?

anticholinergics

What combination drug is used to treat parkinson’s disease?

levodopa/carbidopa (sinimet)

What is the relationship between levodopa and carbidopa?

levodopa crosses the blood brain barrier, carbidopa prevents levodopa from acting in the body, carbidopa does not cross blood brain barrier therefor carbidopa helps levodopa act only in brain

What are the major adverse effects of sinimet?

psychosis and night terrors

What is alzheimer’s characterized by?

lack of acetylcholine, denatured proteins

What drugs are used for alzheimer’s and prevent the breakdown of ACH?

cholinesterase inhibitors

What cholinesterase inhibitors are used for alzheimer’s?

rivastigmine (crosses BBB), donepezil (severe AD only)

What drugs reduce paralytics?

cholinesterase inhibitors

What drug is an immunomodulator used to treat multiple sclerosis?

dimethyl fumarate (tecfidera)?

What are important nursing considerations about dimethyl fumarate (tecfidera)?

taking with food helps reduce GI effects, monitor labs (CBC, LFTs), and acute attacks can be treated with high doses of steroids instead