PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS

OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

WEEK 3: DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION

 TYES OF INFLAMMATION  Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis,

autoimmune diseases.
 Acute Inflammation  Side effects: Bone marrow
- Immediate response to injury or infection. suppression, liver toxicity.

 Chronic Inflammation Biologic Response Modifiers (Biologics)

- Prolonged, often low-grade inflammation
seen in conditions like arthritis  Common examples: Adalimumab,
Infliximab
 INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS  Mechanism: Target specific
molecules involved in inflammation.
 Cytokines- Signaling proteins involved in  Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis,
inflammation. Crohn’s disease, psoriasis.
 Prostaglandins- Lipid compounds that  Side effects: Risk of infections,
mediate inflammation and pain. injection site reactions.
 Leukotrienes- Lipid compounds that
promote inflammation and  CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
bronchoconstriction.
 Histamines- Released during allergic  Anti-inflammatory durgs are used in
reactions and contribute to inflammation. a wide range of conditions, from
arthritis to asthma, and even post-
 TYPES OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS surgery pain management.
 Always consider the specific
 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs patient and condition when
(NSAIDs) choosing a drug.
 Corticosteroids
 Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs  NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
(DMARDs)
 Biologic Response Modifiers (Biologics)  Assess patient’s medical history,
allergies and current medications.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs  Monitor for side effects, especially
(NSAIDs) gastrointestinal issues, renal function
and signs of infection.
 Common examples: ibuprofen, aspirin,  Educate patients on medication
naproxen use, potential side effects and the
 Mechanism: Inhibit cyclooxygenase importance of compliance.
(COX) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin
production.  DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION:
 Indications: Pain, inflammation, fever ANTIBIOTICS
 Side effects: GI irritation, renal dysfunction,
bleeding risk. DEFINITION AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs  Antibiotics are medications that

(DMARDs) inhibit the growth or destory
 Common examples: methotrexate, bacteria.
hydroxychloriquine.  The discovery of antibiotics
 Mechanism: Modulate the immune revolutionized medicine, with
response, slow disease progression.
TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION
PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS
OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

Alexander Fleming’s discover of Penicillin in 7. Sulfonamides: Historically used for

1928 being a landmark event.
 They have saved countless lives and
continue to be a cornerstone of modern
medicine.
MECHANISMS OF ACTION
urinalry tract infections and some
systemic infections.
8. Metronidazole: Effective against
anaerbic bacteria and used for certain
GI and gynecological infections.

 Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis: Drugs like  PENICILLINS

penicillin and cephalosporins weaken
bacterial cell walls, leading to cell lysis.  Suffix: “cillin”
 Inhibition of Protein Synthesis: Antibiotics  Mechanism of Action: Inhibit
such as tetracyclines and macrolides bacterial cell wall synthesis by
interfere with bacterial protein synthesis, targeting enzymes involved in
halting their growth. peptidoglycan formation.
 Disruption of Cell Membranes: Polymyxins  Side Effects: Allergic
disrupt bacterial cell membranes, reactions(ranging from rash to
causing leakage and cell death. anaphylaxis) diarrhea, nausea.
 Inhibition of Nuclei Acid Synthesis:  Adverse Reactions: Anaphylactic
Fluoroquinolones block DNA replication in shock (rare but severe)
bacteria.  Examples: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin,
 Interference with Metabolism: Penicillin G
Sulfonoamides act as antimetabolites,
impeding bacterial metabolic pathways. NURSING CONSIDERATIONS

 COMMON CLASSES OF ANTIBIOTICS AND  Assess for allergies before

USES:
1. Penicillins: Effective against a wide range
of bacteria, they are used for respiratory, skin,
and urinary tract infections.
administration.
 Monitor for signs of anaphylaxis (e.g.
difficulty breathing, swelling, hives)
 Administer with or after meals to
minimize GI upset.

2. Cephalosporins: Broad-spectrum antibiotics  CEPHALOSPORINS

used for surgical prophylaxis and infections
involving gram-negative bacteria.
3. Tetracyclines: Used for acne and various
infections but not suitable for children and
pregnant women.
4. Macrolides: Effective against respiratory
tract infections and atypical pathogens.
5. Fluoroquinolones: Broad-spectrum
antibiotics used for urinary and respiratory
tract infections.
6. Aminoglycosides: reserved for sever
infections due to their potential for
nephrotoxixity and ototoxicity.
TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION
 Suffix: “ceph” or “cef”
 Mechanism of Action: Inhibit cell
wall synthesis, similar to penicillins.
 Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, rash
 Adverse Reactions: Cross-
allergenicity with penicillins (caution
in penicillin-allergic patients)
 Examples: Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone,
Cefuroxime
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
 Monitor for allergic reactions.
 Encourage adequate fluid intake to
prevent crystalluria (especially with
cephalosporines like Ceftriaxone)
PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS
OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

 TETRACYCLINES  Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea, headache
 Suffix: “cycline”  Adverse Reactions: Tendon rupture
 Mechanism of Action: Inhibit bacterial (rare but serious)
protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes.  Examples: Ciprofloxacin,
 Side Effects: Photosensitivity, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin
gastrointestinal upset, tooth discoloration
(in children) NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
 Adverse Reactions: Rarely, sever skin
reactions and hepatotoxicity.  Assess for tendon pain or swelling,
 Examples: Doxycycline, Minocycline and and advise patients to stop the
Tetracycline. medications if experienced.
 Caution in children and
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS adolescents due to potential risk of
musculoskeletal adverse effects.
 Advise patients to avoid sun exposure
and use sunscreen.  AMINOGLYCOSIDES
 Administer on an empty stomach (except
Doxycycline can be taken with food to  Suffix: “-micin” or “mycin”
reduce GI irritation)  Mechanism of Action: Inhibit
 Avoid administering with dairy products bacterial protein synthesis by
or antacids (decreases absorption) binding to ribosomes.
 Side Effects: Nephrotoxicity,
 MACROLIDES ototoxicity, neuromuscular
blockade.
 Suffix: “-mycin” or “-thromycin”  Adverse Reactions: Renal
 Mechanism of Action: Inhibit bacterial impairment, hearing loss.
protein synthesis.  Examples: Gentamicin, Tobramycin,
 Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, Amikacin
abdominal pain
 Adverse Reactions: Prolonged QT interval NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
(caution with patients at risk for
arrhythmias)  Monitor renal function and hearing
 Examples: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, regularly.
Erythromycin  Administer doses based on
therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
 SULFONAMIDES
 Monitor cardiac status, especially in
patients with pre-exisiting heart  Prefix: “-sulf” or “-sulfa”
conditions.  Mechanism of Action: Interfere with
 Administer as prescribed to maintain bacterial metabolism
therapeutic levels.  Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, skin
rash
 FLUOROQUINOLONES  Adverse Reactions: Hypersensitivity
reactions, hematologic
 Suffix: “-floxacin” abnormalities
 Mechanism of Action: Inhibit bacterial  Examples: Trimethoprim-
DNA synthesis. Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX),
Sulfamethoxazole, Sulfadiazine
TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION
PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS
OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS - Examples: Tenofovir, Lamivudin,

Ritonavir
 Monitor for skin reactions and signs of
blood dyscrasias. Antiviral Influenza Medications:
 Encourage adequate fluid intake to
prevnet crystalluria. - Examples: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu),
Zanamivir (Relenza)
 METRONIDAZOLE
Antiviral Herpes Medications:
 Mechanism of Action: Disrupts DNA
synthesis in anaerobic bacteria. - Examples: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir,
 Side Effects: Metallic taste, nausea, Famciclovir
headache
 Adverse Reactions: Peripheral  ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS
neuropathy (rare with high doses and
prolonged use)  Side effects: Nausea and vomiting,
Diarrhea, fatique, headache, rash
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS  Adverse Reactions:
-Hepatotoxicity (especially with
 Advise patients to avoid alcohol due to Ritonavir)
potential disulfiram-like action. -Renal Impairment (especially with
 Monitor for neurologic symptoms, Tenofovir)
especially in long-term use. -Lipodystrophy syndrome (changes in
body fat distribution.
 DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION:
ANTIVIRAL NURSING CONSIDERATIONS

 Antiviral drugs are medications used to  Monitor liver and kidney function
treat viral infections by inhibiting the regularly.
replication of viruses.  Educate patients on the
 They differ from antibiotics, which are importance of adherence to the
used to treat bacterial infections. medication regimen.
 Antiviral drugs are important in the  Assess for signs of lipodystrophy and
management of diseases like HIV, provide supportive care.
Hepatitis, influenza, and herpes.
 ANTIVIRAL INFLUENZA
MECHANISMS OF ACTION
 Side effects: nausea and vomiting
 Antiviral drugs target specific steps in the (more common with Oseltamivir),
viral life cycle Diarrhea, Headache, Dizziness
 COmmon mechanisms of action include:  Adverse reactions:
Neuropsyhciatric events (rare, but
- Inhibition of viral entry into host cells. possible with Oseltamivir), Allergic
-Inhibition of viral replication reactions (rare)
-Inhibition of viral release from host cells.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
 EXAMPLES OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS  Administer with food to reduce
gastrointestinal side effects.
Antiretroviral Drugs: Used to treat HIV/AIDS

TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION

PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS
OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

 Monitor for signs of neuropsychiatric cell membranes, leading to membrane

events, especially in pediatric patients. instability and fungal cell death.
 Educate patients about the importance
of starting treatment within 48 hours of 4. Interference with Fungal Nucleic Acid
symptopm onset. Synthesis: Nucleoside analogs (e.g.
flucytosine) disrupt fungal nucleic acid
 ANTIVIRAL HERPES synthesis, inhibiting DNA replication and
RNA transcription.
 Side effects: nausea and vomiting,
diarrhea, headache, dizziness  EXAMPLES OF ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS
 Adverse reactions: renal toxicity
(especially with Acyclovir at high doses), FLUCONAZOLE (DIFLUCAN)
Neurological side effects (rare)
 Mechanism of action: inhibits
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS ergosterol synthesis.
 Indications: Candidiasis,
 Ensure adequate hydration to reduce the cryptococcosis.
risk of renal toxicity.  Side effects: Nausea, headache,
 Monitor renal function, especially in rash
patients with pre-existing renal issues.  Adverse reactions: Hepatotoxicity,
 Educate patients on the importance of Steven-Johnson Syndrome
completing the full course of treatment  Nursing Considerations: Monitor
liver function, educate patients
 DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION: about potential adverse reactions
ANTIFUNGAL
AMPHOTERICIN B
ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS
 Mechanism of action: Binds to
 Anti fungal drugs are medications used fungal cell membranes
to treat fungal infections, which can  Indications: Severe systemic fungal
affect various parts of the body, including infections.
the skin, nails, respiratory system and  Side effects: Fever, chills,
internal organs. nephrotoxicity
 Adverse reactions: Anaphylaxis,
MECHANISMS OF ACTION hypokalemia
 Nursing Considerations: Administer
1. Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis: Some slowly to minimize infusion reactions,
antifungals, such as echinocandins (e.g. monitor renal function.
caspofungin), target the fungal cell wall,
disrupting its integrity and leading to cell lysis. CASPOFUNGIN (CANCIDAS)

2. Disruption of Cell Membrane: Polyenes ( e.g.  Mechanism of action: Inhibits cell

amophotericin B) bind to fungal cell wall synthesis.
membranes, causing increased permeability  Indications: Invasive aspergillosis,
and cell death. candidemia
 Side effects: Flushing, phlebitis at
3. Inhibition of Ergosterol Synthesis: Azoles (e.g. infusion site.
fluconazole, itraconazole) block the synthesis  Adverse reactions: Liver enzyme
of ergosterol, a crucial component of fungal elevations, hypotension.

TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION

PHARMACOLOGY MIDTERMS
OCT-NOV
LECTURE: 1ST SEMESTER

 Nursing Considerations: Monitor liver  Adverse Reactions: Rare cases of

function, assess for infusion side reactions. liver toxicity; monitor liver function
 Nursing considerations: Administer
FLUCYTOSINE (ANCOBON) with food to enhance absorption.
Monitor or signs of liver dysfunction.
 Mechanism of action: Inhibits nucleic
acid synthesis. MEBENDAZOLE (VERMOX)
 Indications: Cryptococcal infections.
 Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, bone  Mechanism of Action: Inhibits
marrow suppression. glucose uptake in helminths,
 Adverse reactions: Leukopenia, leading to their depletion of energy
thrombocytopenia stores.
 Nursing Considerations: Monitor blood  Common Uses: Treating pinworm,
counts, educate patients about potential roundworm and whipworm
adverse effects. infections.
 Side effects: Abdominal pain,
 DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION: diarrhea, dizziness.
ANTIPROTOZOAL  Adverse Reactions: Rare bone
marrow suppression; monitor
ANTHELMINTIC/ ANTIHELMINTHIC complete blood counts.
 Nursing considerations: Administer
 Antihelminthic drugs, also known as with or without food. Encourage
athelmintic drugs, are a class of good hygiene to prevent
medications used to treat infections reinfection.
caused by parasitic worms or helminths.
 These parasites can infect various parts of
the body such as the intestinal tract,
blood vessels, or tissues.

THREE MAIN CLASSES

1. Vermicides: These drugs kill adult worms.

2. Vermifuges: These drugs expel or paralyze
worms, making them easier to eliminate from
the body.
3. Antiparasitic drugs: These drugs are used fo
broader parasitic infections.

EXAMPLES OF ANTIHELMINTHIC DRUGS

ALBENDAZOLE (ALBENZA)

 Mechanism of Action: Inhibits microtubule

formation in parasites, disrupting their
structure and function.
 Common Uses: Treating a variety of
helminthic infections, including tapeworm
and roundworm infections.
 Side effects: Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, headache

TRANSCRIBED BY: ERIKA MA. JOVELYN B. NACION