Pharmacology Mnemonics - Flash Cards

Name: Human calcitonin (Cibacalcin, Calcimar)

Class: Hormone

Mechanism: Inhibition of both bone resorption and renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate. Secretion stim by ­ serum calcium. Net result = ¯¯calcium, ¯¯phosphate.

Absorption: SC, IM. Nasal is variable and often poor.

Dist.:

Metabolism.: Inactivated by proteolysis in kidneys and blood.

Excretion, t½: Minutes.

Toxicity/S.E.s: Flushing of face and hands w/in min. of injxn (16-21%). Nausea/vomiting w/in 30 min. of use (14-21%); usu. diminishes w/continued therapy. Bedtime admin. can minimize effects. Urinary frequency (5-10%)

Utility: Initial treatment of hypercalcemia. Diseases characterized by increased skeletal remodeling (e.g., Paget’s disease of bone). Recently approved for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Special Features: Effects begin after several hours, persist for up to 10 hr. Salmon calcitonin has a longer t½ and duration and is 50x more potent. However, 30-50% of long-term patients develop antibodies to salmon calcitonin.

Name: Synthetic parathyroid hormone (Teriparatide, Parathar)

Class: Hormone

Mechanism: Mobilizes bone calcium by stimulating bone resorption. Increases renal absorption of calcium. Decreases renal absorption of phosphate. Increases synth. of calcitriol ® ­intest. absorption of calcium and phosphate. Net result = ­­calcium, ¯¯phosphate.

Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Inactivated by proteolysis.

Excretion, t½: Minutes.

Toxicity/S.E.s:

Utility: Only used for differential diagnosis—hypoparathyroidism vs. pseudohypoparathyroidism. There is less of an increase in urinary cAMP and phosphate in pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Special Features: Consists of active portion of PTH (1st 34 AAs on N-terminal). Not used to treat hypoparathyroidism. Currently being investigated for treatment of osteoporosis. Intermittent therapy ® anabolic effects on bone.