Donepezil

"doe-NEP-e-zil"

Trade name: Aricept

• Anti-AChE agent & anti ALZ
• PO
• Chronic use of anti-AChE agents causes nightmares, confusion and hallucinations
• Poisoning mnemonic: SLUDGE

Memantine

"meh-MAN-teen" 

Trade name: Namenda

• Anti NMDA & anti ALZ
• PO
• Drugs that alkalinize the urine reduce renal secretion by up to 80%

Riluzole

"RIL-yoo-zole"

Trade name: Rilutek

• Anti-ALS - used to delay assisted ventilation
• Neuroprotective
• PO

Tetrabenazine

"TET-ra-BEN-a-zeen"

Trade name: Xenazine

• Anti-chorea - used to suppress chorea in HD

Interferon-β 1 a

Trade name: Rebif, Avonex

• Immune modulator used to treat MS (NOTE: retinopathy in up to 60% of patients). Patient must express gamma interferon
• SC, IM; must be refrigerated; contains albumin may transmit BB diseases (prion or viral); medication guide
• Suicide & depression (25%), seizure, anaphylaxis risks

Glatiramer acetate

"gla-TIR-a-mer AS-e-tate"

Trade name: Copaxone

• MS
• SC only; refrigerate and warm to room temp; injection reaction (16%) includes flushing, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, and urticaria
• Contains acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides made of glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine and lysine

Baclofen

"BAK-low-fen"

Trade name: Kemstro

• GABA _A agonist & anti spasmodic used to treat muscle spasticity in MS and spinal cord injuries
• PO, Intrathecal injection
• Rebound seizures and hallucinations, fever and rigidity
• Boxed warning: don't suddenly discontinue

Tizanidine

"tye-ZAN-i-deen"

Trade name: Zanaflex

• α2 agonist & anti spasmodic used to treat muscle spasticity (short term use)
• PO (capsules are NOT bioequivalent to tablets)

Dantrolene

"DAN-troe-leen"

Trade name: Dantrium

• Anti spasodic (direct acting skeletal muscle relaxant) used to treat muscle spasticity and malignant hyperthermia
• PO (orange, light sensitive powder), IV push
• High pH of IV solution will cause tissue necrosis
• Boxed warning: hepatotoxic
• See Anesthetics lecture

Gabapentin

"GAH-bah-PEN-tin"

Trade name: Neurontin

• AED indicated as an epilepsy adjunct and for post-herpetic neuropathic pain (PNP), used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS
• PO; medication guide; must be refrigerated

Carbamazepine

"kar-ba-MAZ-e-peen"

Trade name: Tegretol, etc.

• AED indicated for epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and bipolar disorder, used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS
• PO; medication guide; taper off
• Boxed warnings: (1) aplastic anemia;(2) agranulocytosis; (3) screen for HLS-B 1502 allele due to risk of serious skin reactions 
• See ADHD & AEDs lecture

Phenytoin

"FEN-i-toyn"

Trade name: Dilantin

• AED indicated for epilepsy, used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS
• PO, IM(last resort), IV slowly
• See ADHD and AEDs lecture

Lamotrigine

"la-MOE-tri-jeen"

Trade name: Lamictal

• AED indicated for epilepsy and bipolar disorder, used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS
• See ADHD and AEDs lecture

Capsaicin

"kap-SAY-sin"

Trade name: Zostrix

• Topical cream indicated for PNP, used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS

Amitriptyline

"a-mee-TRIP-ti-leen"

Trade name: Elavil

• TCA indicated for MDD, used off label to treat neuropathic pain associated with MS
• PO
• See Antidepressants, etc. lecture

Levodopa + carbidopa + entacapone

Trade name: Stalevo

• Combination product for PD
• Do not crush

Bromocriptine

"BROE-moe-KRIP-teen"

Trade name: Parlodel, Cycloset

• D2 agonist used to treat PD/EPS, Acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia. Also DMT2
• See also Endocrine lecture. Individualize; lots of monitoring

Ropinirole

"roe-PIN-i-role"

Trade name: Requip

• DA agonist used to treat restless leg syndrome and PD. Used off label to treat cluster headaches and bipolar distorder
• PO

Amantadine

"ah-MAN-ta-deen"

Trade name: Symmetrel

• Antiviral for influenza A, PD and EPS. Narrow therapeutic margin
• PO; will cause pD crisis if abruptly discontinued in PD patient
• See also Respiratory Pharmacology and Viruses lectures

Benztropine

"BENZ-troe-peen"

Trade name: Cogentin

• Antimuscarinic (combo of atropine and diphenhydramine) for EPS and PD
• PO, IV/IM; give at bedtime or in QID doses; avoid abrupt changes

Selegiline

"se-LE-ji-leen"

Trade name: Eldepryl, Emsam

• MAOI for early PD, senile dementia and MDD
• PO, TD
• Boxed warning: suicide. See also PNS & Antidepressants lecture