PTCB Pharmacology #5 3 Flashcards
6 cards from real Pharmacy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PTCB Pharmacology #5 3 flashcards as text
Which drug is the antidote for heparin overdose?
Answer: Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate reverses unfractionated heparin toxicity. It is a positively charged protein that binds the negatively charged heparin, forming a stable complex that neutralizes anticoagulant activity.
Which class of drug do "-zosin" suffix drugs (e.g., tamsulosin, doxazosin) belong to?
Answer: Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers
Alpha-1 blockers end in "-zosin" (tamsulosin, doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin). They relax smooth muscle in blood vessels and the prostate/bladder neck, used for hypertension and BPH.
Varenicline (Chantix) is used for smoking cessation because it:
Answer: Partially activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors while blocking nicotine binding
Varenicline is a partial agonist at alpha4-beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It provides mild dopamine release (reducing cravings/withdrawal) while blocking nicotine's full receptor activation (reducing reinforcement from smoking).
Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is most commonly associated with which drug?
Answer: Hydralazine
Hydralazine, procainamide, and isoniazid are the classic drugs most commonly causing drug-induced lupus. The syndrome typically resolves upon drug discontinuation.
Which of the following is the primary reason why grapefruit juice interacts with simvastatin?
Answer: It inhibits intestinal CYP3A4, increasing simvastatin bioavailability and myopathy risk
Grapefruit juice inhibits CYP3A4 in the intestinal wall (irreversibly), dramatically increasing simvastatin bioavailability. This raises plasma levels significantly, increasing the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
What is the mechanism of action of memantine (Namenda), used in Alzheimer's disease?
Answer: NMDA receptor antagonism
Memantine is a non-competitive NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor antagonist. By blocking excessive glutamate activity, it reduces excitotoxicity thought to contribute to Alzheimer's neurodegeneration. It is used for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease.