What is the mechanism of action and a key adverse effect of cisplatin?

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Prepare for the Rasmussen Pharmacology Exam 3. This quiz includes multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Review essential pharmacological concepts and get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the mechanism of action and a key adverse effect of cisplatin?

Explanation:
Cisplatin works by forming covalent platinum-DNA adducts that create crosslinks, most commonly within the same strand. These crosslinks distort the DNA helix and prevent strand separation during replication and transcription, leading to cell death. The major adverse effects tied to this mechanism are nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Kidney injury often limits the dose, so aggressive hydration and sometimes magnesium supplementation are used to reduce risk; ototoxicity can cause irreversible hearing loss, reflecting damage to the auditory system. Other mechanisms described by different drugs (DNA intercalation, topoisomerase inhibition, or alkylation) are not how cisplatin acts.

Cisplatin works by forming covalent platinum-DNA adducts that create crosslinks, most commonly within the same strand. These crosslinks distort the DNA helix and prevent strand separation during replication and transcription, leading to cell death.

The major adverse effects tied to this mechanism are nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Kidney injury often limits the dose, so aggressive hydration and sometimes magnesium supplementation are used to reduce risk; ototoxicity can cause irreversible hearing loss, reflecting damage to the auditory system.

Other mechanisms described by different drugs (DNA intercalation, topoisomerase inhibition, or alkylation) are not how cisplatin acts.

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