Pharmacology Notes
Posted: Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 | Updated: Wednesday, August 31st, 2022
Posted: Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 | Updated: Wednesday, August 31st, 2022
DRUGS TO VASODILATE AND TAKE A LOAD OFF OF THE HEART
ACE Inhibitors - end in "pril"
Enalapril, Captopril, Lisinopril
Help to induce vasodilation
Enalapril, Captopril, Lisinopril
Help to induce vasodilation
Other Vasodilators
Nitroglycerin Paste (venous dilation with little arterial dilation), Sodium Nitroprusside (arterial/venous dilation), Hydralazine (arterial dilation with little venous dilation), Prazosin (arterial/venous dilation - alpha 1 blocker)
Nitroglycerin Paste (venous dilation with little arterial dilation), Sodium Nitroprusside (arterial/venous dilation), Hydralazine (arterial dilation with little venous dilation), Prazosin (arterial/venous dilation - alpha 1 blocker)
DRUGS TO SLOW THE HEART DOWN AND TREAT DYSRHYTHMIAS
Calcium Channel Blockers
Diltiazem
Negative inotrope. Helps to treat supraventricular dysrhythmias
Diltiazem
Negative inotrope. Helps to treat supraventricular dysrhythmias
Beta Blockers - end in "lol"
Atenolol, Esmolol, Propranolol
Negative inotropes. Helps to treat supraventricular dysrhythmias
Atenolol, Esmolol, Propranolol
Negative inotropes. Helps to treat supraventricular dysrhythmias
Sodium Channel Blockers
Lidocaine, Procainamide, Tocainide, Quinidine
Help to treat ventricular dysrhythmias
Lidocaine, Procainamide, Tocainide, Quinidine
Help to treat ventricular dysrhythmias
DRUGS TO ENHANCE THE CONTRACTION OF THE HEART
Positive Inotropic Agent
Pimobendan
Helps enhance the force of contraction or pumping ability of the heart
Pimobendan
Helps enhance the force of contraction or pumping ability of the heart
DRUGS TO ENHANCE THE CONTRACTION OF THE HEART AND INCREASE BLOOD PRESSURE
Adrenergic Agonists
Dobutamine - blood pressure support and positive inotrope (weak alpha adrenergic drug and strong beta adrenergic drug)
Norepinephrine - blood pressure support (weak beta adrenergic drug and strong alpha adrenergic drug)
Epinephrine - blood pressure support, positive inotrope, and positive chronotrope (strong alpha and beta adrenergic drug)
Dopamine - positive inotrope at moderate doses (beta adrenergic drug), blood pressure support at higher doses (alpha adrenergic drug) and renal afferent diuresis at lower doses (dopaminergic receptors)
Dobutamine - blood pressure support and positive inotrope (weak alpha adrenergic drug and strong beta adrenergic drug)
Norepinephrine - blood pressure support (weak beta adrenergic drug and strong alpha adrenergic drug)
Epinephrine - blood pressure support, positive inotrope, and positive chronotrope (strong alpha and beta adrenergic drug)
Dopamine - positive inotrope at moderate doses (beta adrenergic drug), blood pressure support at higher doses (alpha adrenergic drug) and renal afferent diuresis at lower doses (dopaminergic receptors)
DRUGS TO HELP THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
Proton Pump Inhibitors - end in "zole"
Pantoprazole, Omeprazole
Helps to reduce gastric acid secretion
Pantoprazole, Omeprazole
Helps to reduce gastric acid secretion
H2 Blockers - end in "dine"
Famotidine, Ranitidine
Helps to reduce gastric acid secretion
Famotidine, Ranitidine
Helps to reduce gastric acid secretion
Antiemetics
Ondansetron, Maropitant
Helps to prevent nausea and vomiting
Ondansetron, Maropitant
Helps to prevent nausea and vomiting
Pro-motility
Metoclopramide
Helps to promote gastrointestinal motility
Metoclopramide
Helps to promote gastrointestinal motility
Gastric Ulcer Prevention
Sucralfate (1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after)
Helps to treat and prevent gastrointestinal ulcers
Sucralfate (1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after)
Helps to treat and prevent gastrointestinal ulcers
Gastrointestinal Bleeding Prevention
Barium Sulfate
Studies have shown Barium Sulfate may be useful in treating and preventing gastrointestinal bleeding especially in patients diagnosed with ITP
Barium Sulfate
Studies have shown Barium Sulfate may be useful in treating and preventing gastrointestinal bleeding especially in patients diagnosed with ITP
Laxatives/Cathartics
Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate (with or without activated charcoal)
Helps to soften the feces to relieve constipation and accelerate the fecal transit time to decrease the absorption of any ingested toxins
Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate (with or without activated charcoal)
Helps to soften the feces to relieve constipation and accelerate the fecal transit time to decrease the absorption of any ingested toxins
Laxatives/Ammonia Detoxicant
Lactulose
Helps to soften the feces to relieve constipation. It also draws ammonia from the blood into the colon after being metabolized into fatty acids and carbon dioxide. This helps to treat hepatic encephalopathy; especially with the use of retention enemas where 1 part lactulose diluted with 2-3 parts warm water is held in place for ideally 30 minutes. Often, a cleansing enema is done prior to the retention enema for full effect
Lactulose
Helps to soften the feces to relieve constipation. It also draws ammonia from the blood into the colon after being metabolized into fatty acids and carbon dioxide. This helps to treat hepatic encephalopathy; especially with the use of retention enemas where 1 part lactulose diluted with 2-3 parts warm water is held in place for ideally 30 minutes. Often, a cleansing enema is done prior to the retention enema for full effect
DRUGS TO HELP PROMOTE URINE OUTPUT
Dopamine (low dose CRI), Mannitol, Furosemide
Helps with renal function in cases of oliguria (<1-2 ml/kg/hr urine produced) or anuria
Helps with renal function in cases of oliguria (<1-2 ml/kg/hr urine produced) or anuria
DRUGS TO HELP TREAT HYPERKALEMIA
Albuterol
Due to the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist activity, albuterol may help in shifting the potassium from the serum and into the cell in exchange for sodium
Calcium Gluconate 10%
Beneficial for temporarily protecting the heart against the cardiotoxic effects of hyperkalemia by altering the cell membrane threshold potential
Insulin and Dextrose
Insulin helps to shift potassium back into the cells, but because insulin may also result in hypoglycemia, dextrose is typically given concurrently
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate therapy may be useful in metabolic acidosis situations with severe hyperkalemia because it helps draw out hydrogen ions from the cells in exchange for potassium. The result is a shift of potassium back into the cells
Terbutaline
Due to the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist activity, terbutaline may help in shifting the potassium from the serum and into the cell in exchange for sodium
Due to the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist activity, albuterol may help in shifting the potassium from the serum and into the cell in exchange for sodium
Calcium Gluconate 10%
Beneficial for temporarily protecting the heart against the cardiotoxic effects of hyperkalemia by altering the cell membrane threshold potential
Insulin and Dextrose
Insulin helps to shift potassium back into the cells, but because insulin may also result in hypoglycemia, dextrose is typically given concurrently
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate therapy may be useful in metabolic acidosis situations with severe hyperkalemia because it helps draw out hydrogen ions from the cells in exchange for potassium. The result is a shift of potassium back into the cells
Terbutaline
Due to the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist activity, terbutaline may help in shifting the potassium from the serum and into the cell in exchange for sodium
DRUGS FOR INSULIN THERAPY
Humulin R and Novolin R (Rapid, U-100, Clear almost colorless solution)
Short-acting insulin used for dogs and cats. In dogs and cats, onset of action occurs immediately following IV administration with peak activity at 15 minutes. The duration of activity is 1-4 hours after IV administration. For SC administration, effects are seen within 10-30 minutes with peak activity occurring at 1-2 hours. The duration of activity is 5-6 hours after SC administration. For IM administration, effects are seen within 10-30 minutes with peak activity occurring at 1-4 hours and duration of activity at 3-8 hours. This insulin may be diluted with sterile 0.9% saline for dilution to 10 units/ml and is best given immediately. It's recommended to run at least 50 ml of diluted insulin through an IVF line prior to administration due to absorption
Vetsulin (Lente, U-40, Shake before use, Milky uniform suspension)
Intermediate acting insulin used for primarily dogs, but may be used in cats as well. In dogs, peak activity occurs 2-4 hours after SC administration and then at 8-14 hours after administration. Duration of activity for dogs lasts 14-24 hours. In cats, peak activity occurs 1.5-8 hours after SC administration and the duration of activity may only be 8-12 hours. This is why Vetsulin is not typically used in cats
Humulin N and Novolin N (NPH, U-100, Gently roll before use, Milky uniform suspension)
Intermediate-acting insulin used primarily for dogs. In dogs, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-1.5 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 1-4 hours with the duration of activity lasting 6-10 hours
ProZinc (Protamine Zinc, U-40, Gently roll before use, Cloudy or milky suspension)
Long-acting insulin used for dogs and cats. In dogs, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-10 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 5-24 hours with the duration of activity lasting 16-24 hours. In cats, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-1.5 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 4-9 hours and the duration of activity at 7-18 hours
Lantus (Glargine, U-100, Clear colorless solution)
Long-acting insulin used primarily for cats. In cats, the onset of action occurs at 0.8-1.8 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 14 hours and the duration of activity at 22 hours. Glargine pens are stored only at room temperature
Short-acting insulin used for dogs and cats. In dogs and cats, onset of action occurs immediately following IV administration with peak activity at 15 minutes. The duration of activity is 1-4 hours after IV administration. For SC administration, effects are seen within 10-30 minutes with peak activity occurring at 1-2 hours. The duration of activity is 5-6 hours after SC administration. For IM administration, effects are seen within 10-30 minutes with peak activity occurring at 1-4 hours and duration of activity at 3-8 hours. This insulin may be diluted with sterile 0.9% saline for dilution to 10 units/ml and is best given immediately. It's recommended to run at least 50 ml of diluted insulin through an IVF line prior to administration due to absorption
Vetsulin (Lente, U-40, Shake before use, Milky uniform suspension)
Intermediate acting insulin used for primarily dogs, but may be used in cats as well. In dogs, peak activity occurs 2-4 hours after SC administration and then at 8-14 hours after administration. Duration of activity for dogs lasts 14-24 hours. In cats, peak activity occurs 1.5-8 hours after SC administration and the duration of activity may only be 8-12 hours. This is why Vetsulin is not typically used in cats
Humulin N and Novolin N (NPH, U-100, Gently roll before use, Milky uniform suspension)
Intermediate-acting insulin used primarily for dogs. In dogs, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-1.5 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 1-4 hours with the duration of activity lasting 6-10 hours
ProZinc (Protamine Zinc, U-40, Gently roll before use, Cloudy or milky suspension)
Long-acting insulin used for dogs and cats. In dogs, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-10 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 5-24 hours with the duration of activity lasting 16-24 hours. In cats, the onset of action occurs at 0.5-1.5 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 4-9 hours and the duration of activity at 7-18 hours
Lantus (Glargine, U-100, Clear colorless solution)
Long-acting insulin used primarily for cats. In cats, the onset of action occurs at 0.8-1.8 hours after SC administration. Peak activity occurs at 14 hours and the duration of activity at 22 hours. Glargine pens are stored only at room temperature
Sources:
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
Plumb's. Vers. 2021.9.3. Educational Concepts, LLC. Google Play, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plumbs.app.
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Sellen, Rance K. "Diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (Proceedings)"DVM360, 1 Oct. 2011, www.dvm360.com.
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
Plumb's. Vers. 2021.9.3. Educational Concepts, LLC. Google Play, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plumbs.app.
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Sellen, Rance K. "Diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (Proceedings)"DVM360, 1 Oct. 2011, www.dvm360.com.