Pharmacology Mnemonics - Flash Cards

Name: Quinidine (Quinidex)

Class: Antidysrhythmic Agent (Class IA)

Mechanism: Binds to open and inactivated Na⁺ channels and prevents Na⁺ influx ® slowing of the rapid upstroke during phase 0. Also decreases the slope of phase 4 spontaneous depolarization. Prolongs repolarization. Inhibits arrhythmias due to ­ normal automaticity. Intermed. speed of dissociation from Na⁺ channels.

Absorption: Oral ® rapid, nearly complete absorption.

Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Proarrhythmic effects, negative inotropy, infranodal conduction block, DILQT. Cinchonism—n/v/d, tinnitus, headache, vertigo, auditory/visual disturbances. Hypotension (a-blocking activity). ­ digoxin levels. Hypersensitivity rxns—rash, fever, angioneurotic edema, hepatitis. Reversible thrombocytopenia.

Utility: Treat atrial, AV junctional, & ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Maintain sinus rhythm after direct current cardioversion of atrial flutter or fibrillation. Prevent frequent ventricular tachycardia.

Special Features:

Name: Tranexamic Acid (Amstat)

Class: Thrombolytic Agent Antagonist

Mechanism: Competitive inhib. of plasminogen activation.

Absorption: Oral.

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s:

Utility: Used for hemostasis in pts. undergoing oral surgery who are being treated w/oral anticoagulants.

Special Features:

Name: Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar)

Class: Thrombolytic Agent Antagonist

Mechanism: Lysine analog. Binds to lysine sites on plasminogen and plasmin ® blocks binding of plasmin to fibrin.

Absorption: IV (slow injxn).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Thrombi that form during treatment are not lysed. Thrombosis may become a problem.

Utility: Treat bleeding from fibrinolytic therapy.

Special Features:

Name: Urokinase (Abbokinase)

Class: Antithrombotic Agent (Thrombolytic Agent)

Mechanism: Urinary-type single chain plasminogen activator. Isolated from cultured human kidney cells.

Absorption:

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hemorrhage.

Utility: Treat acute MI (w/in 6 hr. of symptoms), massive PE, acute proximal vein thromboses, occlusion of dialysis access sites and indwelling catheters, occlusion of prosthetic heart valves.

Special Features: Best results in pts. that receive therapy < style=""> Generally non-antigenic. Does not cause allergic rxns.

Name: Tissue Plasminogen Activator, tPA (Activase)

Class: Antithrombotic Agent (Thrombolytic Agent)

Mechanism: Recombinant product identical to endothelial tPA. Preferentially activates plasminogen that is bound to fibrin ® greater clot specificity and potentially less systemic fibrinolysis than w/streptokinase.

Absorption: IV. Prolonged admin. necessary (generally given over 3 hr.). “Accelerated” regimen admin. over 90 min. (2/3 given w/in 1^st 30 min.)

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½: Short t½.

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hemorrhage.

Utility: Treat acute MI (w/in 6 hr. of symptoms), massive PE, acute proximal vein thromboses, occlusion of dialysis access sites and indwelling catheters, occlusion of prosthetic heart valves.

Special Features: Best results in pts. that receive therapy < style=""> Expensive—several times more costly than streptokinase.