NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Clarithromycin Used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute maxillary
sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia (especially atypical pneumonias associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae or TWAR), skin and skin structure infections, and, in HIV and AIDS patients to prevent, and to treat, disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex or MAC.
Unlike erythromycin, clarithromycin is acid-stable and can therefore be taken orally without being protected from gastric acids. It is readily absorbed, and diffused into most tissues and phagocytes.
Clarithromycin has a fairly rapid first-pass hepatic metabolism, i.e it is metabolised by the liver. However, this metabolite, 14-hydroxy clarithromycin is almost twice as active as clarithromycin.
Contraindications Clarithromycin should be used with caution if the patient has liver or kidney disease, certain heart problems (e.g., QTc prolongation or bradycardia), or a mineral imbalance (e.g., low potassium or magnesium levels).
Class II Beta Blockers
Block SNS stimulation of beta receptors in the heart and decreasing risks of ventricular fibrillation
– Blockage of SA and ectopic pacemakers: decreases automaticity
– Blockage of AV increases the refractory period
- Increase AV nodal conduction ´
- Increase PR interval
- Reduce adrenergic activity
Treatment: Supraventricular tachycardia (AF, flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
– Acebutolol
– Esmolol
– Propanolol
Contraindications and Cautions
• Contraindicated in sinus bradycardia P < 45
• Cardiogenic shock, asthma or respiratory depression which could be made worse by the blocking of Beta receptors.
• Use cautiously in patients with diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, which could be altered by the blockade of Beta receptors
• Renal and hepatic dysfunction could alter the metabolism and excretion of these drugs.
Fluconazole: an antifungal used orally, intravenously or vaginally to treat yeast and fungal infections. Side-effects of systemic administration include hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
- For vaginal candidiasis (vaginal thrush), a once-only oral dose is often sufficient.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol): most common; for generalized tonic-clonic and all partial seizures; especially active in temporal lobe epilepsies
Mechanism: ↓ reactivation of Na channels (↑ refractory period, blocks high frequency cell firing, ↓ seizure spread)
Side effects: induces hepatic microsomal enzymes (can enhance metabolism of other drugs)
Types of Neurons (Function)
•There are 3 general types of neurons (nerve cells):
1-Sensory (Afferent ) neuron:A neuron that detects changes in the external or internal environment and sends information about these changes to the CNS. (e.g: rods and cones, touch receptors). They usually have long dendrites and relatively short axons.
2-Motor (Efferent) neuron:A neuron located within the CNS that controls the contraction of a muscle or the secretion of a gland. They usually have short dendrites and long axons.
2-Interneuron or association neurons: A neuron located entirely within the CNS in which they form the connecting link between the afferent and efferent neurons. They have short dendrites and may have either a short or long axon.
Factors affecting onset and duration of action of local anesthetics
pH of tissue
pKa of drug
Time of diffusion from needle tip to nerve
Time of diffusion away from nerve
Nerve morphology
Concentration of drug
Lipid solubility of drug
Roxithromycin
It is used to treat respiratory tract, urinary and soft tissue infections. Roxithromycin is derived from erythromycin, containing the same 14-membered lactone ring. However, an N-oxime side chain is attached to the lactone ring.
Roxithromycin has similar antimicrobial spectrum as erythromycin, but is more effective against certain gram-negative bacteria, particularly Legionella pneumophilae.
When taken before a meal, roxithromycin is very rapidly absorbed, and diffused into most tissues and Phagocytes Only a small portion of roxithromycin is metabolised. Most of roxithromycin is secreted unchanged into the bile and some in expired air