NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Amphotericin B
Main use is in systemic fungal infections (e.g. in immunocompromised patients), and in visceral leishmaniasis. Aspergillosis, cryptococcus infections (e.g. meningitis) and candidiasis are treated with amphotericin B. It is also used empirically in febrile immunocompromised patients who do not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
MOA:
As with other polyene antifungals, amphotericin B associates with ergosterol, a membrane chemical of fungi, forming a pore that leads to K+ leakage and fungal cell death
Side effects: nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) , headache, vomiting, convulsions and fever
The side-effects are much milder when amphotericin B is delivered in liposomes
Antiplatelet Drugs:
Whereas the anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin and Heparin suppress the synthesis or activity of the clotting factors and are used to control venous thromboembolic disorders, the antithrombotic drugs suppress platelet function and are used primarily for arterial thrombotic disease. Platelet plugs form the bulk of arterial thrombi.
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
• Inhibits release of ADP by platelets and their aggregation by acetylating the enzymes (cyclooxygenases or COX) of the platelet that synthesize the precursors of Thromboxane A2 that is a labile inducer of platelet aggregation and a potent vasoconstrictor.
• Low dose (160-320 mg) may be more effective in inhibiting Thromboxane A2 than PGI2 which has the opposite effect and is synthesized by the endothelium.
• The effect of aspirin is irreversible.
Celecoxib
is a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor and primarily inhibits this isoform of cyclooxygenase, whereas traditional NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2. Celecoxib is approximately 10-20 times more selective for COX-2 inhibition over COX-1.
Being a sulphonamide can cause skin rash & hypersensitivity rxn., occasional oedema& HT.
Indication
Osteoarthritis ( 100‐200mg BID ) , rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, acute gouty attacks, acute musculoskeletal pain.
Roxithromycin
It is used to treat respiratory tract, urinary and soft tissue infections. Roxithromycin is derived from erythromycin, containing the same 14-membered lactone ring. However, an N-oxime side chain is attached to the lactone ring.
Roxithromycin has similar antimicrobial spectrum as erythromycin, but is more effective against certain gram-negative bacteria, particularly Legionella pneumophilae.
When taken before a meal, roxithromycin is very rapidly absorbed, and diffused into most tissues and Phagocytes Only a small portion of roxithromycin is metabolised. Most of roxithromycin is secreted unchanged into the bile and some in expired air
Dissociation constants
|
Local anesthetic |
pKa |
% of base(RN) at pH 7.4 |
onset of action(min) |
|
Lidocaine |
7.8 |
29 |
2-4 |
|
Bupivacaine |
8.1 |
17 |
5-8 |
|
Mepivacaine |
7.7 |
33 |
2-4 |
|
Prilocaine |
7.9 |
25 |
2-4 |
|
Articaine |
7.8 |
29 |
2-4 |
|
Procaine |
9.1 |
2 |
14-18 |
|
Benzocaine |
3.5 |
100 |
- |
Phenytoin (Dilantin): for tonic-clonic and all partial seizures (not effective against absence seizures)
Mechanism: ↓ reactivation of Na channels (↑ refractory period, blocks high frequency cell firing, ↓ spread of seizure activity from focus)
Side effects: ataxia, vertigo, hirsutism (abnormal hair growth), gingival hyperplasia, osteomalacia (altered vitamin D metabolism and ↓ Ca absorption), blood dyscrasias (rare; megaloblastic anemia, etc)
Drug interactions: induces hepatic microsomal enzymes (can ↓ effectiveness of other drugs); binds tightly to plasma proteins and can displace other drugs
Benzodiazepines
All metabolites are active sedatives except the final glucuronide product.
Elimination half-life varies a great deal from drug to drug.
?-Hydroxylation is a rapid route of metabolism that is unique to triazolam,
midazolam, and alprazolam.
This accounts for the very rapid metabolism and short sedative actions of these
drugs.
Pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines
- Antianxiety.
- Sedation.
- Anticonvulsant (including drug-induced convulsions).
- Amnesia, especially drugs like triazolam.
- Relax skeletal muscle (act on CNS polysynaptic pathways).
Indications
- IV sedation, (e.g., midazolam, diazepam, lorazepam).
- Antianxiety.
- Sleep induction.
- Anticonvulsant (e.g., diazepam, clonazepam).
- Panic disorders.
- Muscle relaxation.
Adverse effects
- Ataxia, confusion.
- Excessive sedation.
- Amnesia (not a desired effect with daytime sedation).
- Altered sleep patterns (increase stage 2 and decrease stage 4 sleep).