Pharmacology Review – Page 1 Flashcards (CNS Drugs, MS, Seizures, Anesthesia)

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on key terms and definitions from the notes on CNS drugs, MS therapies, seizure classifications, and anesthesia concepts.

Blood-brain barrier

A selective barrier that prevents many protein-bound and highly ionized drugs from crossing into the CNS; lipid-soluble drugs and those with specific transport systems can cross.

Tolerance

A decreased response to a drug after prolonged use due to adaptive changes in the CNS.

Norepinephrine

A monoamine neurotransmitter (acetylcholine and histamine are not monoamines).

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that is not a monoamine.

Histamine

A neurotransmitter that is not a monoamine.

Levodopa/carbidopa

Combination used to treat Parkinson’s disease; carbidopa prevents peripheral conversion, and full therapeutic response may take months.

Off time (Parkinson’s)

Periods when the effect of levodopa wears off before the next dose; management may involve dose adjustments or additional meds.

Dyskinesias

Involuntary movements that can result from long-term levodopa therapy.

Advancing age (Alzheimer’s risk)

Major known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

ApoE2

ApoE2 appears to be protective against Alzheimer’s; no definitive genetic test can predict the disease.

Dimethyl fumarate

Immunomodulator used to treat relapsing-remitting MS.

Interferon beta-1a

Immunomodulator used to treat MS.

Teriflunomide

Immunomodulator used to treat MS.

Mitoxantrone

Immunosuppressant that may be added if immunomodulators fail.

Relapsing-remitting MS

MS subtype with clearly defined relapses followed by remissions.

Progressive-relapsing MS

MS subtype with progression from onset plus superimposed relapses.

Secondary progressive MS

MS form that follows relapsing-remitting MS with steady progression.

Primary progressive MS

MS form with gradual worsening from onset without distinct relapses.

Complex partial seizure

Partial seizure with impaired consciousness, often with automatisms; notify provider for further assessment.

Grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizure

Generalized seizure with loss of consciousness, tonic-clonic activity, and possible cyanosis.

Absence (petit mal) seizure

Generalized seizure with brief loss of consciousness and often eye blinking or staring.

Myoclonic seizure

Seizure involving sudden, brief muscle jerks.

Atonic seizure

Seizure with sudden loss of muscle tone.

Baclofen

CNS-acting drug used to treat spasticity; other options include dantrolene and diazepam.

Baclofen toxicity signs

Visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, seizures; CNS effects include weakness, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness; respiratory depression with overdose.

Dantrolene

Direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity.

Diazepam (spasticity)

Benzodiazepine used to treat spasticity; acts in the CNS.

Metaxalone

Muscle relaxant; not typically effective for treating spasticity.

Tizanidine

Muscle relaxant; can cause liver toxicity and CNS effects.

Topical anesthetic administration

Apply a thin layer to a small area; avoid large areas to minimize systemic absorption and toxicity.

Vasoconstrictor with local anesthetic

Use of vasoconstrictors (e.g., epinephrine) with local anesthetics to reduce toxicity and prolong effect.

Spinal anesthesia

Injection of local anesthetic into the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region.

Epidural anesthesia

Injection of local anesthetic outside the dura mater (epidural space).

Post-dural puncture headache

Headache that is posture-dependent after spinal anesthesia.

Balanced anesthesia

Using a combination of drugs with inhaled anesthesia to achieve effects safer than inhalation alone.

Propofol

Hypnotic agent for induction/maintenance; can cause profound respiratory depression; narrow therapeutic range; open vials have limited use (6 hours) and infusion rate capped at about 4 mg/kg/hr.

Propofol infusion syndrome

Potentially fatal complication with prolonged high-dose propofol infusion; monitor CK levels.

Naloxone

Opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid toxicity; prepare for ventilatory support and monitor for withdrawal in dependent patients.

Morphine cough suppression

Morphine can suppress cough; this effect can be beneficial or detrimental depending on context.

Methylnaltrexone

Peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist used to treat opioid-induced constipation.

Nitrous oxide

Inhaled analgesic with high analgesic potency; can reduce the dose of other anesthetics but may cause PONV and cannot by itself induce anesthesia.