Pharmacotherapy 3 Trivia Quiz

Answer: acetaminophen and oxycodone

One Percocet tablet contains 325mg of acetaminophen and 5mg of oxycodone, a potent narcotic analgesic. ASA and oxycodone are found in Percodan. Acetaminophen and ASA are combined with methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant)in Robaxacet and Robaxisal respectively.

Answer: guaifenesin

Guaifenesin functions by causing minor irritation to the lining of the lungs in order to prompt the secretion of fluids to thin out mucus secretions. This would make it easier to cough it up. As such, buying a combination of an expectorant and a cough suppressant is counter-productive.

It should be noted that clinically, drinking plenty of fluids does just as good a job as guaifenesin...

Answer: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Taking too much of the fat-soluble vitamins in either by diet or by taking supplements can be dangerous, as these substances stay in the body for a long time. With water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C, any excess is easily cleared by the kidneys.

Answer: True

The PPI needs to be absorbed in the intestines, then recirculate to the stomach lining in order for it to work. Stomach acid is needed to activate the drug on recirculation to the proton pumps in the stomach lining, but if acid touches the drug before it is absorbed into the circulatory system, it is rendered uselss.

As Losec begins to take effect, the acid levels in the stomach are reduced, so more of the drug is available to be absorbed. As such, it actually works better the longer you use it.

Answer: True

As a first-generation antihistamine, Benadryl usually causes drowsiness, but in rare cases, it can indeed do just the opposite.

Answer: False

Wrong fruit. It's grapefruit and grapefruit juice that causes problems. Substances in the juice prevent the metabolism of many "statins" as well as other drugs. This inhibition of metabolism has lead to fatalities, and the withdrawal of several drugs from the market (ie Seldane (terfenadine) ). For this reason, many hospitals in Canada have removed grapefruit juice from their menus.

Incidentally, the active compound that made Seldane useful is called fexofenadine, and is now marketed on its own as Allegra.

Answer: Norvasc (amlodipine)

Norvasc is a calcium-channel blocker used to regulate blood pressure. Elavil is an older antidepressant, of the tricyclic antidepressant class aka TCA's. Prozac and Celexa are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI's.

Answer: Type 2 diabetes

These medications are all oral anti-diabetic agents. However, in order for these medications to have any clinical effects, the pancreas must still be able to produce some insulin. If a diabetic has progressed to Type 1 diabetes (aka insulin dependent diabetes), that patient must be treated with insulin preparations.

Answer: insulin glargine

One injection of insulin glargine (Lantus) provides a flat, basal insulin coverage for nearly an entire day. This simulates the basal level of insulin that is normally maintained by a normal pancreas, but other insulins are needed for meals. Of the other preparations, Lispro peaks very quickly, followed by regular, and then the 8-10 hour Lente insulin.

Answer: asthma

Singulair is an oral tablet used as an additional maintenance medication for asthmatics. It's a leukotriene receptor antagonist, meaning that is prevents some of the naturally occuring inflammatory signals made in an asthma attack from functioning normally.

The first-line therapy for asthma maintenance is still inhaled steroids, but for children and others who may not be able to use inhalers, this remains as a valid treatment option.