Medical Today

Pharmacology.

Leflunomide’s active metabolite (M1) inhibits dihydro-oratate dehydrogenase, thereby inhibiting pyrimidine biosynthesis. M1 exhibits immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory effects.

Administration and Adult Dosage.

PO for rheumatoid arthritis 100 mg/day for 3 days, then 20 mg/day. Reduce dose to 10 mg if 20 mg is not tolerated.

Pediatric Dosage.

Safety and efficacy not established.

Geriatric Dosage.

Same as adult dosage.

Dosage Forms.

Pharmacology.

Sumatriptan is a serotonin (5-HT) analogue and a selective agonist at 5-HT1D receptors in cerebral vascular smooth muscle. Receptor activation results in migraine relief by vasoconstriction of intracranial blood vessels and attenuation of the release of vasoactive peptides responsible for inflammation of sensory nerves.

Administration and Adult Dosage.

Pharmacology.

Amoxicillin differs from ampicillin by the presence of a hydroxyl group on the amino side chain. It has activity essentially identical to ampicillin.

Adult Dosage.

PO 250–500 mg q 8 hr or 500-875 mg bid, to a maximum of 4.5 g/day. PO for endocarditis prophylaxis 2 g 1 hr before dental or upper airway procedures.

Pediatric Dosage.

Pharmacology.

Fluoxetine is a bicyclic antidepressant that is a selective and potent inhibitor of presynaptic reuptake of serotonin (an SSRI). It does not affect re-uptake of norepinephrine or dopamine and has a relative lack of affinity for muscarinic, histamine,

Administration and Adult Dosage.

Pharmacology.
Sertraline is an SSRI similar to fluoxetine, which indirectly results in a downregulation of -adrenergic receptors. It has no clinically important effect on noradrenergic or histamine receptors and no effect on MAO. It lacks stimulant, cardiovascular, anticholinergic, and convulsant effects. Sertraline has antidepressant effects equal to TCAs and fluoxetine and might have anorectic effects and efficacy in OCD.