Pharmacology Chapter on Drug Effects

Questions and Answers

What is the primary route of administration that bypasses absorption into the bloodstream?

Oral

Intravenous (correct)

Topical

Sublingual

Which process refers to how a drug moves from the bloodstream into the body tissues?

Absorption

Distribution (correct)

Metabolism

Elimination

What happens to the drug half-life when the concentration decreases to 50% of its original level?

The effects of the drug terminate. (correct)

The drug is eliminated from the body.

The duration of drug effects increases.

The drug reaches its peak effect.

Which organ is primarily responsible for the metabolism of drugs?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

Which administration form is most effective in non-keratinized areas of the body?

Topical Signup and view all the answers

What is the major method of drug elimination from the body?

Renal excretion Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the autonomic nervous system's functions?

Automatic, involuntary functions Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would a drug be eliminated unchanged from the body?

When renal excretion is involved Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of the sympathomimetic drugs on blood pressure?

It increases blood pressure by vasoconstriction. Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is considered a cholinergic drug that stimulates body functions?

Pilocarpine Signup and view all the answers

What type of receptors do adrenergic blockers typically inhibit?

Beta-1 and beta-2 receptors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is indicated for treating diarrhea?

Imodium Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect of narcotic analgesics?

Constipation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of antibiotic is effective against rapid-growing bacteria by destroying cell wall integrity?

Penicillin Signup and view all the answers

Which is a contraindication for the use of anticholinergic medications?

Asthma Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique property of tetracycline regarding its use?

It should not be taken with dairy products. Signup and view all the answers

What type of action do nitromidazoles have against bacteria?

Bactericidal by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the mechanism of action for aspirin?

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is primarily used for the management of seizure activities?

Diazepam (Valium) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common side effect of combining alcohol with nitroglycerin?

Hypotension Signup and view all the answers

Which condition does not require antibiotic premedication according to the guidelines?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is classified as a statin?

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a sign of opioid overdose?

Pupil constriction Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is primarily used for hypothyroidism?

Levoxythyroxine (Synthroid) Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is known to cause gingival overgrowth?

Nifedipine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about estrogen is true?

It is the most commonly used steroid hormone for menstrual disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the first-pass effect on orally administered drugs?

It reduces the amount of drug available in the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

Which route of administration is considered the safest, least expensive, and most convenient?

Oral Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does intravenous (IV) administration provide?

It allows for the most rapid response and predictable blood levels. Signup and view all the answers

Why might rectal administration of drugs be less favorable?

Patient acceptance is typically poor. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about intramuscular (IM) administration is true?

High blood flow through muscles leads to sustained effects. Signup and view all the answers

Inhalation as a route of administration is noted for which characteristic?

It allows rapid delivery across a large surface area. Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of subcutaneous drug administration?

It can lead to less predictable drug absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of using intravenous administration?

There is a risk of allergic reactions and phlebitis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is commonly used to prevent stroke and myocardial infarction?

Heparin Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of diuretics in treating hypertension?

Decrease blood volume Signup and view all the answers

Why should caution be exercised when using vasoconstricting local anesthetics in patients taking cardiovascular medications?

Risk of gingival hemorrhage Signup and view all the answers

Which class of drugs is characterized by the suffix 'olol'?

Beta-adrenergic blockers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of anticoagulant therapy?

Prevent clot formation Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is a common example of a thiazide diuretic?

Hydrochlorothiazide Signup and view all the answers

What potential side effect should be monitored in patients taking Coumadin (warfarin)?

Gingival hemorrhage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary effect of beta-adrenergic blockers?

Decrease heart rate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Effects

Pharmacologic effects refer to the actions of the drug on the body.
Therapeutic effects are the desired beneficial outcomes of drug administration.
Toxic effects are harmful responses caused by drugs, necessitating careful dosing.
The Therapeutic Index (TI) assesses the safety margin of drugs, comparing the dose producing toxicity to the dose producing the desired effect.

Routes of Administration (ROA)

The route of administration influences the speed of onset and duration of drug action.
Enteral ROAs involve the gastrointestinal tract, including oral (safest and most convenient) and rectal (poor absorption).
Parenteral ROAs bypass the GI tract, including various injection methods (IV, IM, SC/SQ, ID, IT, IP), inhalation, and topical (sublingual) application.

Enteral ROA

Oral administration can be affected by the first-pass effect, where liver metabolism reduces the drug's bioavailability.
Rectal administration has poor absorption rates and is less accepted by patients.

Parenteral ROA

IV administration allows for rapid effects and predictable blood levels, with potential risks like phlebitis.
IM injection provides sustained effects through muscle absorption; massage can increase absorption.
Subcutaneous injection is commonly used for proteins; risks include sterile abscesses.
Intradermal injections, inhalation, and topical applications serve specific therapeutic purposes.

ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination)

Absorption involves the movement of drugs from the site of administration to the bloodstream; IV bypasses this phase.
Distribution sends drugs to areas of high blood flow, with oral routes directing drugs first to the liver.
Metabolism (biotransformation) mainly occurs in the liver; impaired function can affect drug breakdown.
Elimination removes drugs from the body, commonly through the kidneys, but can also occur via multiple other routes.

Half-Life

Drug half-life (t1/2) represents the time required for plasma concentration to reduce by 50%, influencing duration of drug effects.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The ANS controls involuntary functions, significantly impacting blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.
Two divisions exist: Parasympathetic (rest and digest) and Sympathetic (fight or flight), with distinct neurotransmitter actions.

Cholinergics (Parasympathomimetics)

These drugs stimulate body functions, indicated for conditions like xerostomia and glaucoma; include pilocarpine and nicotine.
Contraindications include asthma and peptic ulcers.

Anticholinergics

These inhibit functions by blocking cholinergic receptors; examples include atropine (for decreased salivary flow) and scopolamine (for motion sickness).
Adverse reactions include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.

Adrenergic Drugs (Sympathomimetics)

These stimulate α and β receptors, treating conditions like asthma and anaphylaxis; examples include albuterol and epinephrine.
Adverse effects can include anxiety, hypertension, and potential contraindications in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Adrenergic-Blockers (β Blockers)

These inhibit adrenergic receptors and are indicated for hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias; examples include propranolol and atenolol.
Selective β blockers can provide safer options for patients with respiratory conditions.

Analgesics

Nonopioid options like aspirin and acetaminophen function by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, with specific indications and contraindications.
Opioids block pain receptors, posing risks for respiratory depression, sedation, and addiction.

Antagonists/Addiction Treatments

Naloxone (Narcan) serves as an opioid antagonist to counteract overdoses.
Methadone is used to manage narcotic withdrawal and dependence, effective for specific opioids.

Antibiotics/Antiinfectives

Key terms include bacteriocidal (kills bacteria) vs. bacteriostatic (inhibits growth) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
Penicillin is most common in dentistry, while macrolides, tetracyclines, and cephalosporins play crucial roles in bacterial treatment.

Cardiovascular Agents

Anticoagulants like warfarin and clopidogrel prevent stroke and heart attacks.
Common hypertensive drugs include diuretics, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors, with specific side effects to monitor.

AHA Guidelines for Antibiotic Premedication

Certain cardiac conditions require antibiotic premedication prior to procedures; includes prosthetic heart valves and history of infective endocarditis.

Miscellaneous Hints

Statins lower cholesterol; common examples include atorvastatin and simvastatin.
Alcohol interactions with nitroglycerin can lead to hypotension.
Common causes of gingival overgrowth include phenytoin and calcium channel blockers.

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Description

Explore the pharmacologic effects, therapeutic effects, and toxic effects of drugs. This quiz also covers the therapeutic index and the various routes of administration, focusing on how these factors influence drug onset and duration. Test your knowledge on these essential concepts in pharmacology.