Pharmacology Overview Quiz

Norvasc (Amlodipine)

• Uses: Treats high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (chest pain).
• Side Effects: Swelling (edema), dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, nausea.
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to amlodipine, severe hypotension, shock.
• Important Info: Can interact with other blood pressure medications and increase the risk of low blood pressure.

Toradol (Ketorolac)

• Uses: Short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain (post-surgery, injury).
• Side Effects: Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, renal impairment, dizziness, headache.
• Contraindications: Active peptic ulcer, GI bleeding, severe renal impairment.
• Important Info: Not recommended for long-term use due to risks of gastrointestinal and kidney problems.

Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

• Uses: Seizure disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, bipolar disorder.
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, blood dyscrasias.
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to carbamazepine, bone marrow suppression, MAO inhibitors use.
• Important Info: Can interact with many medications; monitor blood levels.

Phenytoin

• Uses: Seizure management.
• Side Effects: Gum overgrowth, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, neuropathy.
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to phenytoin, heart block.
• Important Info: Requires regular blood tests for therapeutic levels; can interact with several drugs.

Elavil (Amitriptyline)

• Uses: Depression, chronic pain, migraine prevention.
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision.
• Contraindications: Recent heart attack, MAO inhibitors.
• Important Info: Anticholinergic effects can be problematic for older adults.

Ativan (Lorazepam)

• Uses: Anxiety, insomnia, seizure management, pre-surgery sedation.
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, memory problems.
• Contraindications: Severe respiratory insufficiency, sleep apnea, myasthenia gravis.
• Important Info: Risk of dependence and withdrawal; avoid alcohol.

Irbesartan

• Uses: Hypertension, diabetic nephropathy (kidney protection in diabetes).
• Side Effects: Dizziness, hyperkalemia, hypotension, fatigue.
• Contraindications: Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis.
• Important Info: ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be used together due to the risk of kidney damage.

Percocet (Oxycodone/Acetaminophen)

• Uses: Moderate to severe pain relief.
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, constipation, nausea, respiratory depression.
• Contraindications: Respiratory depression, acute or severe asthma.
• Important Info: Risk of addiction and overdose; monitor for signs of misuse.

Naprosyn (Naproxen)

• Uses: Pain relief (inflammation, arthritis, menstrual cramps).
• Side Effects: Gastrointestinal irritation, ulcers, bleeding, headache.
• Contraindications: Active GI bleeding, peptic ulcer, renal impairment.
• Important Info: Can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke with long-term use.

Vasotec (Enalapril)

• Uses: Hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease.
• Side Effects: Dizziness, cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension.
• Contraindications: Pregnancy, history of angioedema with ACE inhibitors.
• Important Info: Monitor kidney function and blood pressure.

NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

• Uses: Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic (fever-reducing).
• Side Effects: GI bleeding, ulcers, kidney damage, cardiovascular risks.
• Contraindications: Peptic ulcers, GI bleeding, kidney disease.
• Important Info: Includes ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and others; long-term use should be closely monitored.

Neurontin (Gabapentin)

• Uses: Seizures, neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome.
• Side Effects: Dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, peripheral edema.
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to gabapentin.
• Important Info: Can cause sedation; use with caution in patients with kidney problems

Zyloprim (Allopurinol)

• Uses: Gout, kidney stones, and hyperuricemia management.
• Side Effects: Rash, nausea, liver enzyme changes, hypersensitivity.
• Contraindications: Acute gout flare, hypersensitivity to allopurinol.
• Important Info: May interact with warfarin and other medications; drink plenty of fluids to avoid kidney stones.

Sinemet (Carbidopa/Levodopa)

• Uses: Parkinson's disease, managing motor symptoms.
• Side Effects: Nausea, dizziness, dyskinesia, hypotension.
• Contraindications: Narrow-angle glaucoma, melanoma.
• Important Info: Taper dose to avoid sudden motor complications.

Celebrex (Celecoxib)

• Uses: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain.
• Side Effects: GI distress, heart attack, stroke, hypertension.
• Contraindications: History of heart disease, GI bleeding, sulfonamide allergy.
• Important Info: Selective COX-2 inhibitor with a lower risk of GI bleeding than traditional NSAIDs.

Clarithromycin

• Uses: Bacterial infections (e.g., pneumonia, skin infections).
• Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, taste disturbance, QT prolongation.
• Contraindications: Liver disease, macrolide allergy, QT prolongation.
• Important Info: Can interact with other medications (e.g., statins, warfarin).

Keflex (Cephalexin)

• Uses: Bacterial infections (skin, respiratory, urinary tract).
• Side Effects: Diarrhea, nausea, rash, allergic reactions.
• Contraindications: Penicillin allergy (cross-sensitivity), renal dysfunction.
• Important Info: Broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic.

Imdur (Isosorbide Mononitrate)

• Uses: Prevents angina (chest pain).
• Side Effects: Headache, dizziness, hypotension.
• Contraindications: Hypotension, recent use of PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil).
• Important Info: Can cause tolerance with prolonged use.

Lasix (Furosemide)

• Uses: Edema, hypertension, heart failure.
• Side Effects: Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia), dizziness.
• Contraindications: Anuria, severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance.
• Important Info: Monitor electrolytes and kidney function.

Prisolec (Omeprazole)

• Uses: GERD, peptic ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Side Effects: Headache, nausea, diarrhea, long-term bone fractures.
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to omeprazole, use with clopidogrel.
• Important Info: Proton pump inhibitor; avoid long-term use due to risks of nutrient malabsorption.

Lisinopril

• Uses: Hypertension, heart failure, post-heart attack.
• Side Effects: Dizziness, dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension.
• Contraindications: Pregnancy, renal artery stenosis.
• Important Info: ACE inhibitor; monitor kidney function and electrolytes.

Acyclovir

• Uses: Herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections.
• Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, headache, renal toxicity (IV form).
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to acyclovir.
• Important Info: Monitor renal function with IV use.

Antifungal

• Uses: Fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis, dermatophytes).
• Side Effects: Nausea, liver toxicity, skin rash.
• Contraindications: Hepatic impairment, drug interactions (e.g., with statins).
• Important Info: Includes drugs like fluconazole, ketoconazole, and terbinafine.

Antibiotic

• Uses: Bacterial infections.
• Side Effects: Diarrhea, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset.
• Contraindications: Known allergies to specific antibiotics (e.g., penicillin).
• Important Info: Broad or narrow-spectrum; important to complete the full course to avoid resistance.

Antimicrobial

• Uses: Treats infections caused by bacteria, viruses.

CNS Stimulants

• Uses: Treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, short-term treatment of obesity.
• Side Effects: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, decreased appetite, headache, potential for abuse and addiction.
• Contraindications: History of substance use disorder, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, pregnancy.
• Important Info: Common CNS stimulants include amphetamines, methylphenidate, and modafinil; risk of dependency and abuse. Dosage needs careful management.

CNS Depressants

• Uses: Anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, seizure disorders.
• Side Effects: varies depending on specific drug
• Contraindications: varies depending on specific drug

Muscle Relaxants

• Uses: Muscle relaxation
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, respiratory depression, dependence, withdrawal.
• Contraindications: Alcohol or opioid use, severe respiratory or hepatic impairment.
• Important Info: Benzodiazepines, short-term anxiety treatment; Non-benzodiazepines for insomnia, less risk of dependence. Barbiturates are used less often due to high overdose risk. Withdrawal should be managed carefully.

Hallucinogens

• Uses: Recreational use (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, MDMA), Potential for therapeutic use (e.g., psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression).
• Side Effects: Hallucinations, altered perceptions of reality.
• Important Info: Effects, doses, and expectations vary greatly; use should be closely monitored, especially in recreational contexts.
• Contraindications: Psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy.