Pharmacology Final Study Guide

Understand the various routes of administration for asthma

medications and the advantages of each.
Understand the MOA of different types of asthma meds and why
each are used including their role in preventing attacks and in
treating acute asthma exacerbations/attacks.
Know the specific instructions for patients for using an inhaler, for
instilling ear and eye antibiotics and glaucoma topical medications
For taking NSAIDS
Bisphosphonates
the different class of laxatives
PPIs.
Know the duration of action of:
Long-acting vs. intermediate vs. regular and short-acting insulin
oral beta-2 agonists.
Know the pregnancy category of bisphosphonates, estrogen
receptor blockers, histamine-2 receptor blockers, PPIs
Understand the mechanism of action for: vasoconstrictors,
beta-2 agonists, inhaled anticholinergics, methylxanthines
prostaglandin analogs used for glaucoma
beta blockers as used for glaucoma
the bisphosphonates
PPIs
H-2 receptor blockers
Antacids
the different types of laxatives
Know the contraindications/precautions for Anti-cholinergic
inhalers including d/t allergies, bisphosphonates, PPIs, H-2
receptor blockers, Antacids, anti-diarrheal medications, laxati

Know the side effects of:

Beta 2 agonists
methyxanthines
steroids (inhaled and oral)
prostaglandin analog eye drops
beta blocker glaucoma medications
bisphosphonates
PPIs
H-2 receptor blockers
laxative (classes)
main categories of chemotherapy
phenothiazines for nausea
Why would a bisphosphonate cause bone pain? How do H2
receptor blockers cause anemia? What advantages do PPIs have
over H2 receptor blockers? Which group of laxatives are preferred
for chronic constipation and constipation prevention? What is the
most common reason chemotherapy is prematurely stopped?
Old material
Know the basic information regarding: trade, etc Rx name vs.
generic, Rx antagonist vs. agonist, what is a sympathomimetic vs.
sympatholytic RX? STAT vs. routine Rx orders, pharmacokinetics,
pregnancy classifications, age-related changes and their impact on
for dosing, the impact of protein binding on drug availability and
implications for drug interactions, the impact of drugs that induce
and inhibit drug metabolism, the significance of a drug having a
narrow therapeutic range, vaccine contraindications (in general),
major types of allergic reactions, key points in drug administration
including the important points and advantages/disadvantages of the
different routes of administration, enterohepatic recirculation, first
pass metabolism, recommendations for avoiding medication errors
including prohibited abbreviations, hepatic and renal failure dosing
recommendations, immunosuppressed vs. immunocompromised,
broad vs. narrow spectrum antibiotics

Know the definition of: drug dependence, tolerance, therapeutic

range, controlled substance, loading dose, minimum and toxic drug
concentration levels.
Know the dangers of abrupt withdrawal/not tapering barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, steroids, seizure medications (in general), beta
blockers, CCBs; the significance of giving medications
contraindicated with MAOI use, what is neuroleptic malignant
syndrome, serotonin syndrome. What is are the main differences
between the benzodiazepines? What are the advantages of SSRIs
over TCAs? What are the advantages of atypical neuroleptics vs.
older meds for psychosis? Also know was EPS is and what
medications cause it. Understand the process of changing a patient
from heparin to warfarin and the antidotes for digoxin, narcotics,
heparin and warfarin, Understand the major s/sx of renal failure,
hepatic failure and hepatotoxicity, heart failure, bone marrow
suppression, and excess coagulation.
Know the duration of action of: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, rapid
and long-acting insulin, benzodiazepines in general, morphine, and
warfarin. Know the pregnancy class of NSAIDS, acetaminophen,
penicillins, sulfa antibiotics, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones,
aminoglycosides, acyclovir, medications for hyperthyroidism,
insulin, oral hypoglycemics, benzodiazepines, barbiturates,
diuretics, ACEIs and ARBs, and CCBs.
Know the contraindications for: NSAIDS, acetaminophen,
glucocorticoids, aspirin, macrolides, fluoroquinolones,
aminoglycocides, penicillin, cephalosporins, sulfa antibiotics,
tetracyclines, narcotics, oral hypoglycemics, a sleeping pills for the
elderly, an insulin dose, barbiturates, MAOIs, diuretics, beta
blockers, & ACEIs. When should an anti-hypertensive be held?

Understand the mechanism of action of: NSAIDS,

glucocorticoids, bacteriocidal vs. bacteriostatic antibiotics (in
general), medications for hyperthyroidism, insulin, oral
hypoglycemic agents, anti-cholinergics, sympathomimetics,
benzodiazepines, barbiturates, SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, beta
blockers, alpha-1 blockers, diuretics, CCBs, ACEIs, ARBs,
positive inotropic medications, short versus long acting nitrates,
anti-platelet medications and thrombolytics.
Know the major side effects of: NSAIDS, acetaminophen,
glucocorticoids, penicillin, sulfa antibiotics, macrolides,
aminoglycocides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, anti-fungals,
insulin, oral hypoglycemics, sympathomimetics, anticholinergics,
medications for hyperthyroidism, benzodiazepams, barbiturates,
phenytoin, SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, narcotics,
Statins, diuretics, beta blockers, CCBs, ACEIs, ARBs, nitrates.
I. Medications for Glaucoma
A. Prostaglandins
Latanoprost (Xalatan)
B. Beta-adrenergic blockers
Timolol (Timoptic)
II. Bronchodilators (used primarily for asthma)
A. Beta-agonists (AKA Beta-2 agonists)
1. albuterol (Proventil)
B. Anti-cholinergics (only given via inhaler)
a. ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
b. tiotropium (Spiriva)
III. Anti-inflammatory drugs for asthma
A. Inhaled Blucocorticoids
1. fluticasone (Flovent)
B. Leukotriene modifiers
1. montelukast (Singulair)

IV. Drugs for bone and joint disorders

A. Drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis
1. Bisphosphonates
a. alendronate sodium (Fosamax)
b. ibandronate (Boniva)
B. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs ("DMARDs")
1. methotrexate (Rheumatrex, also commonly abbreviated MTX)
2. sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
V. Drugs used in the treatment of PUD and GERD
A. H2 receptor antagonists
1. ranitidine HCL (Zantac)
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors
1. lansoprazole (Prevacid)
2. omeprazole (Prilosec)
VI. Antiemetics
A. Phenothiazines use as antiemetics
1. metoclopramide (Reglan)
2. prochlorperazine (Compazine)
3. promethazine (Phenergan)
VII. Drugs for lower GI disorders
A. Bulk forming laxatives
psyllium mucilloid (Metamucil)
B. Saline and osmotic laxatives
1. magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
2. polyethylene glycol (MiraLax)
C. Stimulant laxatives
bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
D. Stool softener/surfactant
Docusate (Surfak, Colace)