Pharmacology Quiz: Norvasc, Toradol, Tegretol

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 risk 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 monitored closely.

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, and 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: Gl 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 (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and modafinil (Provigil).

CNS Depressants

• Uses: Anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, seizure disorders.
• Important Info: Benzodiazepines are generally first-line for short-term anxiety treatment but carry a risk of tolerance and dependence.

Muscle Relaxants

• Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, respiratory depression (especially with overdose), dependence and withdrawal symptoms, memory impairment, hypotension.
• Contraindications: Alcohol or opioid use (risk of fatal respiratory depression), severe respiratory or hepatic impairment, history of substance abuse, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Important Info: Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam) are generally first-line for short-term treatment of anxiety.

Hallucinogens

• Uses: Recreational use (e.g., LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, mescaline), potential therapeutic use.
• Side Effects: Hallucinations, altered perceptions of reality.
• Contraindications: Personal or family history of psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Important Info: Effects are highly dose dependent and can vary with environment, mental state, and expectations.

Test your knowledge on the uses, side effects, and contraindications of Norvasc, Toradol, and Tegretol. This quiz covers important pharmacological information and patient safety concerns related to these medications. Enhance your understanding of these essential drugs used in various medical conditions.