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311. The half-life of drugs is variable in zero-order kinetics, and constant in first-order kinetics, in zero-order a constant amount is being eliminated.
312. LD (loading dose)= Vd (volume of distribution) × Css (steady state concentration).
313. Maintenance dose (MD) = clearance (CL) * Css *  (dose interval).
314. Steady state concentration (Css) means the rate of drug enter the body is equal to the rate of drug exits the body.
315. Rate in = amount / time, rate out = volume/ time, Css= rate in /rate out (clearance).

Pharma Tips-57

306. Tegaserod is an agonist of 5- hydroxytryptamine IV (5-HT4), it is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome in women (constipation predominant form).
307. Hypokalemia may lead to sudden cardiac death.
308. Phenytoin precipitates in dextrose solution, therefore they should not be administered on the same IV set.
309. Amphotericin precipitates in saline.
310. Gentamicin is inactivated by most of beta-lactam agents.

Pharma Tips-56

301. Sulindac is mainly metabolized by liver.
302. Sucralfate needs acid pH to form a protective gel, so it should be taken on an empty stomach.
303. Mineralocorticoids activity = aldosterone activity = sodium and water retention.
304. Buspirone is a partial agonist of 5- hydroxy tryptamine Ia (5-HTIa) receptors, and it is used to treat anxiety.
305. Triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan are agonists of 5- hydroxy tryptamine Id (5-HTId) receptors, and they are used to treat migraine.

Pharma Tips-55

296. No DNA replication means no myelosuppression that’s why drugs are only affecting newly formed cells, because they are dividing so fast.
297. CL (total body clearance) = K × Vd (volume of distribution).
298. Vd = total amount of drug/ Initial plasma concentration (C◦).
299. Insulin receptors belong to tyrosine kinase family.
300. Sulfonamides + dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors such as trimethoprim, and penicillins + aminoglycosides are the best examples of synergy.

Pharma Tips-54

291. Aztreonam is only used with gram negative bacteria.
292. Neomycin is very toxic systemically, so it is only used topically.
293. Sulphonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones cause photosensitivity.
294. Azithromycin has no effect on CYP450 enzymes.
295. Valproic acid, didanosine, and zalcitabine cause pancreatitis.

Pharma Tips-53

286. Epstein-Barr virus causes infectious mononucleosis.
287. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) converts levodopa to 3-O-methyldopa.
288. Bruxism is the grinding of teeth and it is one of the most sleep disorders.
289. Nafcillin is the most lipid soluble penicillin.
290. Chlamydia and mycobacteria are atypical bacteria (has no cell wall).

Pharma Tips-52

281. Sulfa drugs cause kernicterus to infants at a late stage of the pregnancy.
282. Cilastatin inhibits a peptidase enzyme to prevent imipenem from forming nephrotoxic metabolite.
283. Human papillomavirus is the cause of common warts.
284. Herpes simplex virus I causes cold sores.
285. Herpes simplex virus II causes genital herpes.

Pharma Tips-51

276. Vecuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent (IV) for skeletal muscle relaxation in surgery.
277. Sorbic acid is a mold and yeast inhibitor.
278. Drugs that cause insomnia include; alcohol, amantadine, bupropion, monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-receptors agonists and antagonists, corticosteroids, caffeine, donepezil, decongestants, diuretics, dopamine agonists, levodopa, selegiline, methylphenidate, theophylline, and thyroid hormones.
279. E.coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections such as cystitis.
280. Cephalosporins not penicillins are effective against klebsiella.

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271. Clarithromycin increases the levels of theophylline.
272. In osteoporosis treatment; alendronate may be administered as 10 mg daily or 70 mg weekly.
273. The elemental iron content of ferrous sulfate is 20 %.
274. Pneumococcal infections are responsible for deaths in children under 3 years of age who have sickle cell anemia.
275. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the renal elimination of unchanged methotrexate.

Pharma Tips-49

266. Acetylcysteine is used in acetaminophen overdose and in cystic fibrosis as mucolytic.
267. Thyroid hormones increase the requirements for insulin and hypoglycemic agents, thus they cause hyperglycemia.
268. Tinea pedis causes athlete’s foot.
269. Toxic shock syndrome symptoms include; high fever, rash of palms and soles, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
270. Glycogen converts to D-glucose.

Pharma Tips-48

261. Folic acid supplements should be used with Isoniazid, methotrexate, and lamotrigine.
262. Quinidine is associated with cinchonism, which its symptoms include; blurred vision, headache, tinnitus, nausea, and mental changes.
263. 3-6 weeks are necessary to observe a response from methotrexate therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.
265. Ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir are antivirals for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

Pharma Tips-47

256. Ciprofloxacin is not recommended for use in children and pregnant women.
257. PMDD = premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
258. Sodium bicarbonate is associated with milk-alkali syndrome.
259. Sickled cells are quite fragile with half-life span of 10-20 days.
260. Anticholinergic side effects are; constipation, dry mouth, loss of memory, urinary retention, blurred vision, decrease gastric function, tachycardia and palpitation.

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251. Diabetic coma symptoms are; dehydration, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, and polydipsia.
252. Valproic acid is effective in the treatment of absence seizures.
253. The half life of gentamicin in a patient with normal renal function is 2-4 hours.
254. Cromoglycate has no parenteral form.
255. Amoxicillin + clavulanate ear drops are used for otitis media; should be used within 10 days, and should be kept in refrigerator during that period, diarrhea and stomach upset are the most common side effects of the drug.

Pharma Tips-45

246. Phenytoin should not be administered intravenously, due to venous irritation and cardiac adverse effects.
247. Carbamazepine is an enzyme inducer, it induces its own metabolism, dose adjustment is needed when it is used with phenytoin within 2-4 weeks of being added or discontinued.
248. Barbiturates suppress the signal transmission across the synapses and thereby raise the seizure threshold.
249. Lantus insulin should not be mixed with any other insulin.
250. It takes 10-21 days for optimal response to lithium therapy.

Pharma Tips-44

241. Acetone breath and dry skin are classic symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
242. Chlorpropamide has the longest duration of action among all sulfonylureas drugs up to 60 hours.
243. Misoprostol is in category X for pregnancy, it should be taken with food to lessen gastrointestinal distress and decrease the incidence of diarrhea.
244. Ethanol competes with methanol for alcohol dehydrogenase, so it prevents the formation of the toxic metabolite formic acid.
245. Diazepam is the drug of choice in status epilepticus.