WG 3 A321

ANTIDIABETIC DRUGS ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS
symptoms of depression but often take

2–3 weeks before benefit is felt. Treat-
antidiuretic hormone See ADH.
antidote A substance that neutralizes
A
ment usually lasts for at least 6 months, or counteracts the effects of a poison.
and the dosage is reduced gradually anti-D(Rh0) immunoglobulin An anti-
before being stopped altogether. serum that contains antibodies against
Tricyclics may cause drowsiness, dry Rhesus (Rh) D factor (a substance pre-
mouth, constipation, blurred vision, uri- sent on the red blood cells of people
nary difficulty, and irregular heartbeat. with Rh-positive blood). Anti-D(Rh0)
SSRIs may cause nausea, indigestion, immunoglobulin is given routinely at
and loss of appetite, or allergic reactions intervals during normal pregnancy and
but are less dangerous in overdose than at delivery. An additional dose is also
other antidepressants. MAOIs may inter- given after an amniocentesis, miscar-
act with foods containing tyramine (for riage, or any event in which the baby’s
example, cheese) and other drugs to blood may enter the mother’s circula-
cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, tion. The injected antibodies prevent
although one MAOI, moclobemide, is less the woman from forming her own anti-
likely to cause problems. Antidepressants bodies against Rh-positive blood, which
are not addictive, but abrupt withdrawal might adversely affect a subsequent
of some types can result in physical pregnancy. (See also haemolytic disease
symptoms and should be avoided. of the newborn; Rhesus incompatibility.)
antidiabetic drugs A group of drugs antiemetic drugs A group of drugs
used to treat diabetes mellitus, in which used to treat nausea and vomiting.
a lack of insulin, or resistance to its Antihistamine drugs and anticholinergic
actions, results in raised blood glucose drugs reduce vomiting in motion sick-
levels. A wide range of antidiabetics are ness, vertigo, and Ménière’s disease. The
used to keep the blood glucose level as most powerful antiemetics are used to
close to normal as possible, and conse- control nausea and vomiting associated
quently reduce the risk of complications with radiotherapy or anticancer drugs.
such as vascular (blood vessel) disease. These drugs include serotonin antago-
Antidiabetic drugs include insulin, nists such as ondansetron and nabilone.
which must be administered by injec- Antiemetics are not normally used in
tion, and oral hypoglycaemics such as the treatment of food poisoning be-
glibenclamide and metformin. Acarbose cause the body needs to rid itself of
and guar gum reduce or slow absorp- harmful substances. Only certain anti-
tion of carbohydrate from the intestines emetics can be used to treat vomiting
after meals. Repaglinide stimulates insu- in early pregnancy because damage to
lin release from the pancreas for a short the developing fetus may occur. Many
time and may be taken directly before antiemetics cause drowsiness.
meals. Rosiglitazone reduces resistance antifreeze poisoning Most antifreeze
to the effects of insulin in the tissues in the UK contains ethylene glycol,
and may be used together with other which is poisonous. Drinking antifreeze
hypoglycaemics. initially produces effects similar to alco-
antidiarrhoeal drugs Drugs used to hol intoxication, but vomiting, stupor,
reduce or stop diarrhoea and to help seizures, and coma may follow; acute
regulate bowel action in people with a kidney failure may occur within 24–36
colostomy or ileostomy. In most acute hours. Antifreeze poisoning requires
cases of diarrhoea, the only treatment immediate medical attention.
recommended is oral rehydration therapy. antifungal drugs A group of drugs
Antidiarrhoeal drugs include adsorb- used to treat infections caused by fungi.
ents, bulk-forming agents such as Antifungal drugs are commonly used to
kaolin, and antimotility drugs (includ- treat different types of tinea, including
ing the opioid drugs, morphine and athlete’s foot and scalp ringworm. They
codeine, and loperamide), which slow are also used for candidiasis (thrush)
movement through the intestine. None and rare fungal infections, such as cryp-
of these drugs are suitable for children. tococcosis, that affect internal organs.
41
ANTIGEN ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
A Antifungal preparations are available in
various forms including tablets, injec-
antimalarial drugs Drugs used to treat
malaria. One antimalarial drug, chloro-
tion, creams, and pessaries. Prolonged quine, is also used to treat arthritis.
treatment of serious fungal infections antioxidant A type of chemical that
can result in side effects that include neutralizes potentially damaging oxidiz-
liver or kidney damage. ing molecules known as free radicals.
antigen A substance that can trigger an Some antioxidants occur naturally in
immune response, resulting in produc- the body; others (vitamin C, vitamin E,
tion of an antibody as part of the body’s and beta-carotene, for example) are
defence against infection and disease. obtained through food intake or from
Many antigens are foreign proteins (not dietary supplements.
found naturally in the body) such as antiperspirant A substance applied to
parts of microorganisms and toxins or the skin in the form of a lotion, cream,
tissues from another person that have or spray to reduce sweating. High con-
been used in organ transplants. Some- centrations are sometimes used to treat
times, harmless substances (pollen, for hyperhidrosis (abnormally heavy sweat-
example) are misidentified by the ing). Antiperspirants may cause skin
immune system as potentially harmful irritation, particularly if they are used
antigens, which results in an allergic on broken skin. (See also deodorants.)
response (see allergy). antiplatelet drugs Drugs that reduce
antihistamine drugs A group of drugs the tendency of platelets to stick to-
that block the effects of histamine, a gether to form blood clots when blood
chemical released in allergic reactions flow in the arteries is disrupted. This
(see allergy). Antihistamines are used action reduces the risk of thrombo-
to treat rashes such as urticaria and to embolism, which can cause potentially
relieve sneezing and a runny nose in fatal disorders such as a myocardial
allergic rhinitis. They are also some- infarction or stroke. Aspirin and dipyri-
times included in cough remedies and damole are commonly used antiplatelet
cold remedies and are used as antiem- drugs. Others, such as ticlopidine, are
etic drugs. Antihistamines are usually used specifically to protect against clots
taken by mouth but may be given by forming in the coronary arteries of peo-
injection for anaphylactic shock. Many ple with angina.
antihistamines cause drowsiness, but antipruritic drugs Drugs that are used
newer drugs have little sedative effect. to relieve persistent itching (pruritus).
Other possible side effects include loss Antipruritics may be applied as creams
of appetite, nausea, dry mouth, blurred and emollients and may contain corti-
vision, and difficulty in passing urine. costeroid drugs, antihistamine drugs, or
antihypertensive drugs A group of local anaesthetics. Oral antihistamines
drugs used in the treatment of hyper- may also be used to relieve itching.
tension to prevent complications such antipsychotic drugs A group of drugs
as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart used to treat psychoses (mental disor-
failure, and kidney damage. There are ders involving loss of contact with
several types, including angiotensin II reality), particularly schizophrenia and
antagonists, beta-blocker drugs, ACE mania in bipolar disorder (see manic–
inhibitor drugs, calcium channel block- depressive illness). Antipsychotic drugs
ers, alpha-blocker drugs, vasodilator may also be used to sedate people who
drugs, and diuretic drugs. Side effects have other mental disorders (such as
depend on the type of antihypertensive dementia) and who are very agitated or
drugs used, but all can cause dizziness aggressive. Antipsychotics include phe-
if the blood pressure falls excessively. nothiazine drugs, butyrophenones, such
anti-inflammatory drugs Drugs that as haloperidol, and several new drugs
reduce inflammation. The main groups including risperidone, which is used to
of these drugs are nonsteroidal anti- treat the symptoms of mania.
inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid Antipsychotics can cause drowsiness,
drugs. (See also analgesic drugs.) lethargy, dyskinesia, and parkinsonism.
42

WG 3 A321

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ANTIDIABETIC DRUGS ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS

symptoms of depression but often take

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