NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Antidepressant Drugs
Drug treatment of depression is based on increasing serotonin (5-HT) or NE (or both) at synapses in selective tracts in the brain. This can be accomplished by different mechanisms.
Treatment takes several weeks to reach full clinical efficacy.
1. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
a. Amitriptyline
b. Desipramine
c. Doxepin
d. Imipramine
e. Protriptyline
2. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
a. Fluoxetine
b. Paroxetine
c. Sertraline
d. Fluvoxamine
e. Citalopram
3. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
a. Tranylcypromine
b. Phenelzine
4. Miscellaneous antidepressants
a. Bupropion
b. Maprotiline
c. Mirtazapine
d. Trazodone
e. St. John’s Wort
Antimania Drugs
These drugs are used to treat manic-depressive illness.
1. Lithium
2. Carbamazepine
3. Valproic acid
Fifth Generation:
These are extended spectrum antibiotics.
Ceftaroline, Ceftobiprole
RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM INHIBITORS
The actions of Angiotensin II include an increase in blood pressure and a stimulation of the secretion of aldosterone (a hormone from the adrenal cortex) that promotes sodium retention. By preventing the formation of angiotensin II, blood pressure will be reduced. This is the strategy for development of inhibitors. Useful inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system are the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
First line treatment for: Hypertension , Congestive heart failure [CHF]
ACE-Inhibitor’s MOA (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors)
Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System:
. Renin & Angiotensin = vasoconstrictor
. constricts blood vessels & increases BP
. increases SVR or afterload
. ACE Inhibitors blocks these effects decreasing SVR & afterload
. Aldosterone = secreted from adrenal glands
. cause sodium & water reabsorption
. increase blood volume
. increase preload
. ACE I blocks this and decreases preload
Types
Class I: captopril
Class II (prodrug) : e.g., ramipril, enalapril, perindopril
Class III ( water soluble) : lisinopril.
Mechanism of Action
Inhibition of circulating and tissue angiotensin- converting enzyme.
Increased formation of bradykinin and vasodilatory prostaglandins.
Decreased secretion of aldosterone; help sodium excretion.
Advantages
- Reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, diabetes, and heart failure.
- Favorable metabolic profile.
- Improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.
- Renal glomerular protection effect especially in diabetes mellitus.
- Do not adversely affect quality of life.
Indications
- Diabetes mellitus, particularly with nephropathy.
- Congestive heart failure.
- Following myocardial infraction.
Side Effects
- Cough (10 - 30%): a dry irritant cough with tickling sensation in the throat.
- Skin rash (6%).
- Postural hypotension in salt depleted or blood volume depleted patients.
- Angioedema (0.2%) : life threatening.
- Renal failure: rare, high risk with bilateral renal artery stenosis.
- Hyperkalaemia
- Teratogenicity.
Considerations
- Contraindications include bilateral renal artery stenosis, pregnancy, known allergy, and hyperkalaemia.
- High serum creatinine (> 3 mg/dl) is an indication for careful monitoring of renal function, and potassium. Benefits can still be obtained in spite of renal insufficiency.
- A slight stable increase in serum creatinine after the introduction of ACE inhibitors does not limit use.
- ACE-I are more effective when combined with diuretics and moderate salt restriction.
ACE inhibitors drugs
Captopril 50-150 mg
Enalapril 2.5-40 mg
Lisinopril 10-40 mg
Ramipril 2.5-20 mg
Perindopril 2-8 mg
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
Losartan 25-100 mg
Candesartan 4-32 mg
Telmisartan 20-80 mg
Mechanism of action
They act by blocking type I angiotensin II receptors generally, producing more blockade of the renin -angiotensin - aldosterone axis.
Advantages
• Similar metabolic profile to that of ACE-I.
• Renal protection.
• They do not produce cough.
Indications
Patients with a compelling indication for ACE-I and who can not tolerate them because of cough or allergic reactions.
Classification
1. Natural Alkaloids of Opium
Phenanthrenes -> morphine, codeine, thebaine
Benzylisoquinolines -> papaverine, noscapine
2. Semi-synthetic Derivatives
diacetylmorphine (heroin) hydromorphone, oxymorphone hydrocodone, oxycodone
3. Synthetic Derivatives
phenylpiperidines pethidine, fentanyl, alfentanyl, sufentnyl
benzmorphans pentazocine, phenazocine, cyclazocine
propionanilides methadone
morphinans levorphanol
Methicillin
Methicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin and other beta-lactam containing antibiotics. It is often used to treat infections caused by bacteria carrying an antibiotic resistance, e.g., staphylococci. As methicillin is deactivated by gastric acid, it has to be administered by injection.
Uses Methicillin serves a purpose in the laboratory to determine antibiotic sensitivity in microbiological culture.
Dextromethorphan
O-methylated dextrorphan, Excellent oral antitussive, No analgesic effect, No GI effects, No respiratory depression
Fluconazole: an antifungal used orally, intravenously or vaginally to treat yeast and fungal infections. Side-effects of systemic administration include hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
- For vaginal candidiasis (vaginal thrush), a once-only oral dose is often sufficient.