Pharmacology: Muscle Relaxants & Pain Relief

Study Notes

Muscle Relaxant

Baclofen (Lioresal) treats muscle stiffness and spasms caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological disorders.
Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, confusion, nausea, and muscle spasticity.
There is no specific antidote for Baclofen overdose, treatment is symptomatic.
Dialysis may be considered in severe overdose.

Pain Relief

Hydrocodone-acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin, Lortab) is used for moderate to severe pain.
Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic, and acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever.
Potential side effects include drowsiness, constipation, dizziness, nausea, respiratory depression, and addiction.
Naloxone is used as an antidote for opioid overdose.

Anticoagulants

Heparin (IV) and Warfarin (Coumadin) are anticoagulants used to prevent and treat blood clots.
Heparin is typically used for short-term clot prevention, while Warfarin is used for long-term anticoagulation.
Potential side effects include bleeding, easy bruising, nosebleeds, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) for Heparin.
Antidotes include Vitamin K for Warfarin, and Protamine sulfate for Heparin.

Opioid Analgesic

Morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol) is a potent opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain.
Potential side effects include respiratory depression, constipation, nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
The antidote for Morphine overdose is Naloxone (Narcan).

Heart Failure Treatment

Digoxin (Lanoxin, Digitek) is used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation by increasing the strength of heart contractions.
Potential side effects include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in extremities, digoxin toxicity, blurred vision, and yellow-green halos.
The antidote for digoxin toxicity is digoxin-specific antibody (Digibind).

Opioid for Severe Pain

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is an opioid analgesic for severe pain relief.
Potential side effects include respiratory depression, constipation, dizziness, and confusion.
The antidote for Hydromorphone overdose is Naloxone (Narcan).

Warfarin Testing

Warfarin (Coumadin) is a Vitamin K antagonist that helps prevent blood clots.
It is used for long-term anticoagulation.
Potential side effects include bleeding, bruising, and hematuria.
The antidote for Warfarin overdose is Vitamin K.

Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin (LMWH)

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is an LMWH used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
Potential side effects include bleeding and thrombocytopenia.
The antidote for Enoxaparin overdose is Protamine sulfate.

Diuretic

Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic used for the treatment of edema and hypertension.
Potential side effects include dehydration, hypokalemia, hypotension, and ototoxicity.
There's no specific antidote for Furosemide overdose; supportive care is needed.

Benzodiazepine for Anxiety

Alprazolam (Xanax) is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety, panic disorders, and short-term anxiety relief.
Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.
Flumazenil is an antidote for benzodiazepine overdose; it is rarely used.

Antidepressant

Desipramine (Norpramin) is a tricyclic antidepressant used for depression and sometimes chronic pain management.
Potential side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, and weight gain.
There is no specific antidote; supportive care is needed.

Anxiolytic

Buspirone (Buspar) is an anxiolytic used for generalized anxiety disorder.
Potential side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea.
There is no specific antidote.

Benzodiazepine

Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and seizures.
Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and dependence.
The antidote for Diazepam overdose is Flumazenil.

Antibiotic

Vancomycin (Vancocin) is an antibiotic used for severe bacterial infections, especially those resistant to other antibiotics.
Potential side effects include red man syndrome, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity.
There's no specific antidote; supportive care is needed.

Description

Explore the essential pharmacological details of muscle relaxants, pain relief medications, and anticoagulants. This quiz covers medications like Baclofen, Hydrocodone-acetaminophen, Heparin, and Warfarin, along with their uses, side effects, and overdose management. Test your knowledge on these critical therapeutic agents.