Pharmacology for Technicians Flashcards

Which antibiotic class should be avoided in children under 8 years old due to tooth discoloration?

Answer: Tetracyclines

Tetracyclines bind to calcium in developing teeth and bone, causing permanent yellow-brown discoloration in children under 8.

What is the clinical significance of a drug having a 'narrow therapeutic index'?

Answer: Small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or therapeutic failure

Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs require careful monitoring because the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small.

Which drug is used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepine overdose?

Answer: Flumazenil

Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist used to reverse benzodiazepine-induced sedation or overdose.

Patients taking MAOIs should avoid which food substance due to the risk of hypertensive crisis?

Answer: Tyramine

MAOIs inhibit the enzyme that breaks down tyramine; consuming tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, cured meats) can cause a dangerous hypertensive crisis.

What is the primary adverse effect that limits the use of aminoglycoside antibiotics?

Answer: Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity

Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin) carry significant risk of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and ototoxicity (hearing loss), requiring level monitoring.

Which class of drugs is commonly associated with causing a dry cough as a side effect?

Answer: ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors cause accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs, leading to a persistent dry cough in up to 15–20% of patients.