NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Clarithromycin Used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute maxillary
sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia (especially atypical pneumonias associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae or TWAR), skin and skin structure infections, and, in HIV and AIDS patients to prevent, and to treat, disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex or MAC.
Unlike erythromycin, clarithromycin is acid-stable and can therefore be taken orally without being protected from gastric acids. It is readily absorbed, and diffused into most tissues and phagocytes.
Clarithromycin has a fairly rapid first-pass hepatic metabolism, i.e it is metabolised by the liver. However, this metabolite, 14-hydroxy clarithromycin is almost twice as active as clarithromycin.
Contraindications Clarithromycin should be used with caution if the patient has liver or kidney disease, certain heart problems (e.g., QTc prolongation or bradycardia), or a mineral imbalance (e.g., low potassium or magnesium levels).
Ketamine
- Causes a dissociative anesthesia.
- Is similar to but less potent than phencyclidine.
- Induces amnesia, analgesia, catalepsy and anesthesia, but does not induce convulsions.
- The principal disadvantage of ketamine is its adverse psychic effects during emergence from anesthesia. These include: hallucinations, changes in mood and body image.
- During anesthesia, many of the protective reflexes are maintained, such as laryngeal, pharyngeal, eyelid and corneal reflexes.
- Muscle relaxation is poor.
- It is not indicated for intracranial operations because it increases cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
- Respiration is well maintained.
- Arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and heart rate are all elevated.
NSAIDs: Classification by Plasma Elimination Half Lives
Short Half Life (< 6 hours):
more rapid effect and clearance
• Aspirin (0.25-0.33 hrs),
• Diclofenac (1.1 ± 0.2 hrs)
• Ketoprofen (1.8± 0.4 hrs),
• Ibuprofen (2.1 ± 0.3 hrs)
• Indomethacin (4.6 ± 0.7 hrs)
Long Half Life (> 10 hours):
slower onset of effect and slower clearance
• Naproxen (14 ± 2 hrs)
• Sulindac (14 ± 8 hrs),
• Piroxicam (57 ± 22 hrs)
Angiotensin
It is generated in the plasma from a precursor plasma globulin. It is involved in the electrolyte balance, plasma
volume and B.P
Angiotensin I:
Renin is an enzyme produced by the kidney in response to a number of factors including adrenergic activity (β1-
receptor) and sodium depletion. Renin converts a circulating glycoprotein (angiotensinogen) into an inactive material angiotensin-I. It gets activation during passage through pulmonary circulation to angiotensin II by (ACE). ACE is located on the luminal surface of capillary endothelial cells, particularly in the lungs & also present in many organ (e.g brain).
Angiotensin II:
Is an active agent, has a vasoconstrictor action on blood vessels & sodium and water retention
Neomycin
used as a topical preparation
Neomycin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and has been used as a preventative measure for hepatic encephalopathy and hypercholesterolemia. By killing bacteria in the intestinal tract, it keeps ammonia levels low and prevents hepatic encephalopathy, especially prior to GI surgery. It is not given intravenously, as neomycin is extremely nephrotoxic (it causes kidney damage), especially compared to other aminoglycosides.
Factors affecting onset and duration of action of local anesthetics
pH of tissue
pKa of drug
Time of diffusion from needle tip to nerve
Time of diffusion away from nerve
Nerve morphology
Concentration of drug
Lipid solubility of drug
Dextromethorphan
O-methylated dextrorphan, Excellent oral antitussive, No analgesic effect, No GI effects, No respiratory depression