Pain, Inflammation, and Immunity Medications

These flashcards cover key terminology, definitions, and concepts surrounding medications for pain, inflammation, and immune responses.

COX-1

An enzyme that protects the stomach lining and supports platelet function, but blocking it increases risk of GI irritation.

COX-2

An enzyme that is induced by injury and primarily involved in pain and inflammation; its inhibitors have less risk of GI bleeding.

Aspirin

First-generation NSAID that inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, used for inflammation suppression and pain relief.

Ibuprofen

A first-generation NSAID used for mild to moderate pain relief and inflammation suppression.

Analgesia

Relief of pain.

Prostaglandin

A lipid compound involved in the inflammatory process.

Acetaminophen

A non-opioid analgesic used to reduce pain and fever, acting centrally.

Tramadol

A dual-mechanism analgesic that alters pain perception and inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake.

Morphine

An opioid agonist used for severe pain management and sedation.

Naloxone

An opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

Acetylcysteine

An antidote for acetaminophen overdose that replenishes glutathione.

Celecoxib

A second-generation NSAID that selectively inhibits COX-2, used for pain and inflammation reduction.

Glucocorticoids

Steroids that mimic cortisol to suppress inflammation and immune response.

Methotrexate

A folic acid analog used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and for cancer treatment.

Cytarabine

A pyrimidine analog used to treat leukemias and lymphomas.

Leuprolide

A gonadotropin-releasing hormone used in hormone therapy for prostate cancer.

Flutamide

An androgen receptor blocker for treating prostate cancer.

Tamoxifen

An estrogen receptor blocker for treating estrogen-positive breast cancer.

Anastrozole

An aromatase inhibitor used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Doxorubicin

An anthracycline that interferes with DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.

Vincristine

A vinca alkaloid that inhibits microtubule formation to block mitosis.

Cisplatin

A platinum compound used in combination chemotherapy to treat various cancers.

Interferon

A biologic response modifier that enhances immune response against tumors.

Imatinib

A targeted therapy drug that inhibits specific tyrosine kinases involved in cancer proliferation.

Zidovudine

A nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for treating HIV.

Enfuvirtide

An entry and infusion inhibitor for advanced HIV disease.

Maraviroc

A CCR5 antagonist that blocks HIV entry into CD4 cells.

Raltegravir

An integrase inhibitor for treating resistant HIV-1 infections.

Ritonavir

A protease inhibitor used in HIV treatment to boost therapeutic effects.

Adverse Reaction

An unwanted effect following medication administration.

Contraindications

Specific situations where a drug should not be used.

Nursing Considerations

Guidelines for caring for patients on certain medications, including monitoring and education.

Black Box Warning

A severe warning for drugs that have significant risks that need careful consideration.

Respiratory Depression

A decreased urge to breathe which can be caused by opioids.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Potential risk associated with the use of NSAIDs.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated response of the immune system to allergens or medications.

Kidney Dysfunction

Impaired kidney function that can affect medication clearance.

Hepatotoxicity

Liver toxicity or damage caused by medications.