Drugs You Should Know

Front 1

Name one sedating antihistamine and three that are less sedating?

Back 1

Promethazine = sedating

Fexofenadine, Loratadine and Cetirizine.

Front 2

Name some anaesthetics drugs?

Back 2

Midazolam, suxamethonium, ketamine, propofol, glycopyrrolate, lignocaine.

Front 3

Why shouldn't you use Pethidine?

Back 3

Addictive, and produces a toxic metabolite that can cause seizures. Can contribute to Serotonin syndrome. Serious interactions with MAO-inhibitors (antidepressants) can be fatal

Front 4

List some drugs in the opiate family

Back 4

Codeine (opioid)

Morphine (opioid)

Oxycodone (semi-synthetic)

Fentanyl (synthetic opioid)

Methadone (synthetic opioid)

Tramadol (opioid, other actions)

Front 5

What drug would you give in a paracetamol overdose?

Back 5

NAC- N-acetyl cysteine, replenishes glutathione levels allowing breakdown of toxic metabolites and prevention of liver damage.

Front 6

What is Flumazenil?

Back 6

GABA-A receptor antagonist used in benzo and anaesthetic overdose

Front 7

What is Naloxone?

Back 7

An opioid receptor antagonist used to treat opiate overdose

Front 8

How do penicillins work?

Back 8

They bind to penicillin binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall making it incapable of repair so it becomes leaky leading to cell death.

Front 9

What type of antibiotic is Gentamycin?

Back 9

An aminoglycaside- works on the ribosome, useful in Gram negative sepsis.

Front 10

What type of antibiotic is Meropenem?

Back 10

A Carbepenam, a member of the beta lactam class of antibiotics, which kill bacteria by binding to penicillin-binding proteins and inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Used in multi-drug resistant hospital infections.

Front 11

Describe the action of the Cephalosporins?

Back 11

A form of beta lactam, used in patients with Penicillin allergy. None are active against enterococci. 1st generation = Cefazolin, good for Staph and Strep and some Gram negs. 3rd generation = Ceftazadine, good for pseudomonas and febrile neutropaenia, and Ceftriaxone (pneumonia and meningitis).

Front 12

Describe the action and use of Vancomycin?

Back 12

Vanc is a glycopeptide antibiotic which works on the ala-D-ala linkages in the bacterial cell wall. Must be given IV or IM. Good for Staph, strep, enterococcus, listeria. No Gram negative or anaerobe cover. Used for MRSA.

Front 13

What is Clindamycin?

Back 13

Clindamycin is an antibiotic on the Lincosamide class that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis at the 50s ribosomal sub unit. Used for anaerobic infections, eg middle ear, dental, bone and joint infections (particularly caused by SA) and acne.

Front 14

Describe the macrolide class of antibiotics?

Back 14

All members have a macrolide ring. Most important example is Azithromycin, also Erythromycin and Clarithromycin. Azithromycin is good for travellers diarrhoea, chlaymydia, gonorrhoea, strep throat etc.

Front 15

What is Metronidazole?

Back 15

An antibiotic used for protozoal infections, C.difficile, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, intra-abdominal infections etc. Good for Gram negs and anaerobes.

Front 16

What is Tinidazole?

Back 16

An antibiotic used for amoeba and parasite infections, similar to Metronidazole.

Front 17

Describe the action of the Fluroquinolone family of antibiotics?

Back 17

Kill Gram negative bacteria by inhibiting ribosomal protein production. Effective against Salmonella, E.coli, good for prostatitis and pyelonepritis. Main example is Ciprofloxacin, good for typhoid although resistance is spreading.

Front 18

What is Rifampicin?

Back 18

Antibiotic used for TB, also in HiB and Pneumococcal meningitis, leprosy and legionella. Inhibits the bacterial RNA polymerase. Hepatotoxic.

Front 19

Describe the tetracycline family of antibiotics?

Back 19

They inhibit bacterial protein synthesis at the 30s ribosomal subunit. Main example is Doxycycline. Used for acne, malaria prophylaxis, pneumonia and chlamydia.

Front 20

What is nitrofurantoin?

Back 20

An antibiotic used for UTIs

Front 21

What is Trimethoprim?

Back 21

An antibiotic used for UTI. It works to selectively inhibit the bacterial dihydrofolate reductase used in folate synthesis, which leads to folate depletion and bacterial death.

Front 22

What is Co-Trimoxazole?

Back 22

Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole, a combined drug used for UTI, MRSA, travellers diarrhoea, respiratory infections and cholera. The two drugs work synergistically because they inhibit successive steps in the folate synthesis pathway.

Front 23

What is Fluconazole used for?

Back 23

Fungal infections

Front 24

What is Amphotericin B?

Back 24

An antifungal drug used IV for serious systemic infection

Front 25

What is Terbinafine?

Back 25

An antifungal used for topical treatment of skin infections eg tinnea.

Front 26

What is Griseofulvin?

Back 26

An oral antifungal drug used for tinnea and nail fungus.

Front 27

What is Nystatin?

Back 27

Oral or topical antifungal agent used for candida infection.

Front 28

What are acylcovir and famcyclovir?

Back 28

Anti-viral agents used for treatment of HSV infection eg encephalitis or shingles, or prophylaxis in cold sores etc.

Front 29

What is Spironolactone? Describe common side effects

Back 29

Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist diuretic used in hypertension and congestive heart failure, also has hormonal effects. Can cause gynacomastea and hyperkalaemia.

Front 30

What is Frusemide?

Back 30

Loop diuretic used in congestive cardiac failure

Front 31

Describe the effects of sympathomimetic drugs on the heart?

Back 31

Mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system ie. increase heart rate and cardiac output. Examples include Adrenaline and Noradrenaline.

Front 32

What is GTN used for and how does it work?

Back 32

Glyceryl trinitrate is a nitrate used for angina and heart failure. GTN is a prodrug which becomes nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that dilates arteries (to decrease afterload) and veins (decreasing venous return and thereby preload).

Front 33

What is isosorbide mononitrate?

Back 33

A nitrate used for angina.

Front 34

Describe the action of thiazide drugs?

Back 34

Thiazides are a class of diuretics, they inhibit reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the distal tubule and also promote calcium retention. Can cause hypokalaemia (use in combo with an ACE to prevent this).

Front 35

What is Amiloride?

Back 35

A potassium sparing diuretic

Front 36

How do ACE inhibitors work?

Back 36

They block the ACE ezyme that converts Ang I to Ang II. Used in hypertension and heart failure. Risk of renal impairment especially when combined with an NSAID and a diuretic ("triple whammy")

Front 37

Name some angiotensin II antagonists?

Back 37

Candesartan

Irbesartan

Losartan

Telmisartan

Front 38

What are Dyhydropyridines?

Back 38

L-type calcium channel blockers (long lasting) with either:

1. An affinity for the vasculature, used to treat hypertension. Example is Nifedipine. Used as an anti-hypertensive.

2. An affinity for the heart, used as an antiarrythmic, eg Verapamil.

Front 39

What is Diltiazem?

Back 39

A calcium channel blocker used for heart failure, angina and some arrythmias. Vasodilator and reduces heart rate.

Front 40

What is the main effect of beta blockers on the heart?

Back 40

Blockage of beta-adrenergic receptors leading to reduced heart rate, decreased renin secretion, decreased blood pressure etc.

Front 41

What is Prazocin?

Back 41

AKA 'Minipress' , an alpha-1 blocker that is selective for the vasculature and used for hypertension.

Front 42

What is Clonidine?

Back 42

AKA 'Catapress', it is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for hypertension, ADD and anxiety.