Drugs for the Nervous System
-Nervous system disorders
-Parkinson’s disease- syndrome characterized by slowing of movement, stiffness, tremor, and impaired postural reflexes. Antiparkinsonian agents are used to relieve symptoms examples are levodopa/carbidopa and entacapone.
-Myasthenia Gravis- disease of the neuromuscular junction characterized by a fluctuating weakness in certain skeletal muscle groups. Anticholinestarase are the drug treatment of choice, examples are neostigmine and pyridostigmine.
-Multiple sclerosis- chronic, progressive, degenerative diseases that attacks the outer covering of the nerves. Several treatment options exist. First is the use of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and prenisone, which are helpful during acute exacerbations of the disease. Immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide have been used for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Beta-infereron has proven successful in controlling the disease in patients form home.
-Epilepsy- is a set of disorders that cause periodic seizures. Treatment is the use of anticonvulsants; examples are phenytoin, carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, primidone, and divalproex.
-Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)- commonly known as a stroke. For some CVA’s treatment consists of drugs that prevent the formation of thrombus or embolus; examples are aspirin, dipyridamole, or ticlopidine hydrochloride. Once a stroke has occurred the goal is to preserve life and prevent further disability; anticoagulants such as heparin sodium and enoxaparin are used. Long-term anticoagulants are accomplished with warfarin sodium. Aspirin or ticlodipine can be used to treat symptoms of a progressing stroke.
-Tumors- any abnormal growth in the brain is dangerous. Surgery, antineoplastics, and radiation are three possible treatments for brain tumors. Diuretics and corticosteroids may be used to reduce edema.
-Infections and inflammations- they have specific names depending on which part of the nervous system they attack. These conditions are treated with analgesics and antibiotics.
-Drugs that affect the CNS
-CNS stimulants- is used for a variety of purposes. Some of the uses are for attention deficit disorders, obesity, and treatment of respiratory depression induced by overdose. Uses of such drugs are essentially obsolete.
-CNS depressants- either depresses the whole or selectively depresses only parts of the nervous system.
-Analgesics- pain relieving drugs.
-Anticonvulsants- is used to control or prevent seizures.
-Antipakinsonian agents- is used to treat prakinson’s disease.
-Refer to page 354 for representative drugs of the nervous system