This article explains about the Drugs for Parkinson’s disease improve dopamine levels or reduce symptoms like tremors and stiffness. Dopaminergic Agents Levodopa + Carbidopa Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Carbidopa inhibits peripheral DOPA decarboxylase, preventing conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside the CNS, thus increasing its bioavailability in the … Read more
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement and coordination. Characterized by symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movements, and balance difficulties, It occurs due to a gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Early diagnosis and proper management with medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies can help improve quality of … Read more
Hallucinogens are psychoactive drugs that alter perception, mood, and thought, often causing hallucinations. Definition of Hallucinogens: Substances that cause altered perception, hallucinations, and mood changes. Classification of Hallucinogens: Classical (Psychedelics) Primarily serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists Examples: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) Mescaline (peyote cactus) DMT (dimethyltryptamine) Dissociative Antagonists of NMDA glutamate receptors Produce … Read more
Antimanic agents, or mood stabilizers, control manic episodes in bipolar disorder by stabilizing brain activity. Definition of Mood Stabilizers: Drugs that stabilize mood in bipolar disorder, preventing both manic and depressive episodes. Major Agents: Lithium Mechanism: Unclear; inhibits inositol monophosphatase, reduces second messenger activity Therapeutic index is narrow Anticonvulsants as Antimanic Agents: Valproic acid: increases … Read more
This article explains about the Anti-anxiety agents (anxiolytics) reduce anxiety and tension by calming the central nervous system. Definition of Anti-Anxiety Agents: Drugs that relieve anxiety symptoms without causing excessive sedation. Classification of Anti-Anxiety Agents (Anxiolytics): Benzodiazepines Examples: Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam Mechanism: Enhance GABA-A receptor activity → increased Cl⁻ influx → hyperpolarization Non-benzodiazepine Anxiolytics Buspirone: … Read more
Antidepressants are drugs that treat depression by balancing neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Definition of Antidepressants: Drugs that elevate mood in depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and some types of chronic pain. Classification of Antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Inhibit reuptake of … Read more
Antipsychotics are drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders by balancing dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Definition of Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics are drugs used primarily to manage psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and delusional disorders. They are also known as neuroleptics or major tranquilizers. Classification of Antipsychotics: Typical (First-generation Examples: Chlorpromazine, … Read more
Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a drug used in alcohol dependence that causes unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. Disulfiram (Antabuse) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). This causes accumulation of acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption, leading to an aversive reaction: Flushing, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, hypotension, palpitations, anxiety Disulfiram–Ethanol Reaction: Flushing, throbbing headache Nausea, … Read more
Alcohol (Ethanol) is a CNS depressant that affects mood, behavior, and coordination, commonly used socially but linked to dependence and toxicity. Pharmacological Actions: Ethanol is a CNS depressant. It acts by enhancing GABA-A receptor activity (inhibitory neurotransmission) and inhibiting NMDA-type glutamate receptors (excitatory neurotransmission). It produces dose-dependent CNS depression, from disinhibition to sedation, anesthesia, and … Read more
Intravenous (IV) Anesthetics induce rapid unconsciousness and are commonly used for surgical anesthesia induction. Intravenous (IV) Anesthetics Rapid onset (within seconds) Commonly used for induction of anesthesia Often followed by maintenance with inhalational agents Suitable for short procedures Important IV Agents Drug Mechanism Use Adverse Effects Propofol GABA-A agonist Induction, short procedures Hypotension, pain on … Read more
