Pharmacology Lecture Review

Flashcards for reviewing pharmacology medications, actions, and side effects

DinoPROSTone

Medications that cause uterine and GI muscle stimulation and ripening; used to expel uterine contents after miscarriage

Methylergonovine

Uterine stimulant that directly stimulates contractions, strictly postpartum and not for inducing labor.

Magnesium Sulfate

A uterine relaxant that causes smooth muscle relaxation and inhibits contractions; also has an anticonvulsant effect often used for seizures.

Calcium Gluconate

The antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity.

Rhogam

Medication used to suppress stimulation of maternal active immunity; administered when the mother is Rh- and the baby is Rh+.

Phytonadione

Vitamin K, helps with clotting factors; administered IM to newborns.

Bisphosphonates (Alendronate, Zoledronic acid, Risedronate)

Medications used for osteoporosis that can cause GERD, abdominal pain an necrosis of the jaw.

Finasteride (Proscar)

Medication, for men, that inhibits an enzyme to reduce dihydrotestosterone and treats BPH symptoms; can cause impotence and decreased libido.

Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movements that can develop with phenytoin toxicity.

Carbamazepine

Antiepileptic drug that blocks norepinephrine reuptake; not used for absence seizures; serious side effects include potentially fatal skin reactions.

Lamotrigine

Antiepileptic drug that blocks voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the brain; a serious side effect is skin rash and aseptic meningitis.

Phenobarbital

Long-acting barbiturate used to increase the seizure threshold; used when single anticonvulsants are not successful.

Topiramate

Medication with unknown action that prolongs blockage of sodium and increases GABA activity; can cause cleft palate in newborns and decreased sweating.

Typical Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics that block dopamine in the brain.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics that block serotonin and dopamine.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)

Block metabolic destruction, for atypical depression, panic disorder, OCD, and some phobias; Type B is used for Parkinson's disease.

SSRI

Inhibit reuptake of serotonin; preferred antidepressants due to safer side effects; interact with tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs, and warfarin.

TCA

Block epinephrine; can be used as a mild tranquilizer and for phantom leg pain; side effects include orthostatic hypotension and sedative effects.

Anticholinergic agents

Block action of acetylcholine; used for Parkinson's disease and some GI disorders; side effects include blurred vision, constipation, and confusion.

Cholinergic agents

Stimulate the parasympathetic system; used for myasthenia gravis and to reverse muscle relaxants; side effects include nausea, vomiting, and bronchospasm.

Benzodiazepines (Diazepam, Lorazepam, Chlordiazepoxide)

Medications used to treat anxiety from alcohol withdrawal; overdoses are typically not fatal; antidote is flumazenil.

Azapirones (Buspirone)

Partial serotonin and dopamine agonist; treats anxiety.

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Supplies dopamine to the brain and decreases metabolism; combination used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, Rivastigmine)

Improves cognitive skills in Alzheimer's disease; side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bradycardia.

Hypnotic

Produces sleep

Sedative

Relaxes, does not necessarily cause sleep; effect depends on the dose.