Week 1: Meds to Treat Cancer
This general term for pharmacological cancer treatment kills cancer cells and reduces tumor size, but also damages healthy cells in the process.
What is chemotherapy?
This older, bacteriostatic medication is usually well tolerated and often used in outpatient settings - it can be effective in some drug resistant organisms such as MRSA skin and soft tissue infections.
What is tetracycline?
This medication works by blocking histamine from attaching to the H1 receptors on the cell, which reduces vasodilation and swelling. Its most common side effect is drowsiness.
What is the antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
The mechanism of action for this medication is its conversion to nitrous oxide, which then promotes smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation to help open the vessels in a myocardial infarction.
What is nitroglycerin?
This medication used for the treatment of COPD lasts for typically 12 hours and is given twice a day per inhaler.
What is a LABA (Long acting beta agonist)?
This serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist is used to decrease the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment.
What is Ondansetron/Zofran?
A vancomycin derivative with dual mechanism of action that treats complicated infections from MRSA, MRSA endocarditis and hospital acquired pneumonia.
What is Televancin?
This alpha & beta adrenergic agonist is typically given via autoinjector or intranasally to counteract the effects of anaphylaxis
What is epinephrine?
This drug class helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as MI, by reducing lipids that contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis.
What are statins (exemplar:atorvastatin)?
This long acting Beta-2 agonist (LABA) binds to beta 2 receptors in the smooth muscle of the airway to promote bronchodilation, improve airflow and allow for adequate gas exchange.
This medication works like the body's natural immune system to enhance the immune response to recognize and attack cancer
What is Interferon Alpha 2b?
This prodrug used to treat C-Difficile should not be taken with alcohol and may leave a metallic taste in the mouth.
What is metronidazole?
This immunomodulator medication is often used as a first line therapy for the treatment of RA. It suppressed overactive T and B cell activity that contribute to joint pain and inflammation.
What is methotrexate?
The slang term for the medication used to dissolve intravascular blood clots (converts plasminogen to plasmin) that is used to restore blood flow in ischemic events such as MI and stroke.
This older methylxanthine increases intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to promote bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and alleviate the symptoms of COPD. Signs of toxicity include: nausea, intractable vomiting, irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, rhabdomyolysis, seizures, heart failure
What is Theophylline?
A mitotic inhibitor/vinca alkaloid that kills cells during the mitosis stage of cell division and is used to treat many cancers
What is Vincristine?
This glycopeptide is crucial in treating serious infections caused by MRSA, and is typically given slowly by IV to avoid uncomfortable flushing, itching and rash side effects if given too fast.
What is vancomycin?
This PrEP medication used for the treatment of HIV blocks HIV from inserting its viral DNA into the host cell.
What is Cabotegravir (Vocabria)?
This anti-platelet medication is used to help prevent MI recurrence by preventing platelet aggregation, which is the initial step in clot formation. Its primary side effect is bleeding/bruising.
This rare, life threatening side effect of both salmeterol and tiotropium creates severe wheezing, coughing and chest tightness instead of relief.
What is paradoxical bronchospasm?
This medication is used to counteract side effects of chemotherapy by increasing the neutrophil count.
What is Filgrastim?
This cyclic lipopeptide is a powerful bactericidal agent that is especially effective against resistant gram positive organisms such as MRSA and VRE.
This disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) inhibits the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to decrease inflammation in R.A., and is given subcutaneously as an injection.
What is Adalimumab (Humira)?
This combination drug both interrupts the RAAS cycle and prevents the loss of the body’s natriuretic peptides, both of which will help decrease fluid and reduce the workload on the heart
What is Sacubitril-Valsartan (Entresto)?
This long acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) is a first line therapy for long term management of COPD. It decreases mucus production, promotes bronchodilation and improves airflow.
What is Tiotropium?