Pharmacology

VITAMIN -K Group of lipophilic, hydrophobic vitamins. Needed for the post-translational modification of coagulation proteins. Phylloquinone (vitamin K1) is the major dietary form of vitamin K. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone, menatetrenone) is produced by bacteria in the intestines.…

Thiazide diuretics Chlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide Mechanism(s) of Action 1.    Block facilitated Na/Cl co-transport in the early distal tubule. This is a relatively minor Na absorption mechanism and the result is modest diuresis  2.    Potassium wasting effect  a.    Blood volume reduction leads to increased production of aldosterone  b.    Increased distal Na load second…

Third Generation Cephalosporins  Prototype drugs are CEFOTAXIME (IV) and CEFIXIME (oral). CEFTAZIDIME (for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.). Further expansion of Gm negative spectrum to include hard to treat organisms such as Enterobacter, Serratia, and Pseudomonas.  In addition to better Gm negative spectrum, this group has improved pharmacokinetic properties (longer half-lives) that allow once daily dosing with some agents. In general, activity toward Gm …

Carbamazepine (Tegretol): most common; for generalized tonic-clonic and all partial seizures; especially active in temporal lobe epilepsies Mechanism: ↓ reactivation of Na channels (↑ refractory period, blocks high frequency cell firing, ↓ seizure spread) Side effects: induces hepatic microsomal enzymes (can enhance metabolism of other drugs)…