Antihyperlipidemics and Drugs to Improve Peripheral Blood Flow Flashcards
Drugs that dilate the distal blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Peripheral vasodilators
A condition that occurs when there is an excess of one or more lipids in the blood
Hyperlipidemia
Special particles made up of droplets of fats surrounded by a single layer of phospholipid molecules
Lipoprotein
Large particles that transport fatty acids and cholesterol to the liver
Chylomicrons
The four different types of lipoprotein are:
HDL, LDL, VLDL, chylomicrons
Which lipoprotein is “good” and which one is “bad”?
HDL is good. LDL is bad.
What are the desirable levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL?
Cholesterol = 150-200
Triglycerides = 40-150
LDL = <100
HDL = >60
What level of cholesterol is determined as “High risk”?
> 240
List nonpharmacological methods to reduce cholesterol.
Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet. Reduce total fat intake to 30% or less of caloric intake. Reduce cholesterol intake to 300mg/day or less. Exercise and stop smoking.
Cholestyramine(Questran), colestipol(Colestid), and colesevelam(WelChol) are what type of antihyperlipidemic?
Bile-acid sequestrants
What is a common side effect of bile-acid sequestrants and how can it be avoided?
Constipation; increase fiber and fluids
How do bile-acid sequestrants work?
They reduce LDL cholesterol levels by binding with the bile acids in the intestine.
Gemfibrozil(Lopid) and Fenofibrate(Tricor) are what type of antihyperlipidemic?
Fibrates (fibric acid derivatives)
How do fibrates interact with anticoagulants?
They are highly protein bound and compete with anticoagulants for protein sites. They displace anticoagulants, which causes an increase in free anticoagulants.
Niacin or vitamin B3 is what type of antihyperlipidemic?
Nicotinic acid
What are the two most common side effects of niacin?
GI distress and flushing
How can flushing with niacin be reduced?
By taking aspirin and reducing the dose.
Ezetimibe (Zetia) is what type of antihyperlipidemic?
Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
True or False: Cholesterol absorption inhibitors must be combined with a statin for optimal effect.
True
True or False: Like Bile-acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors cause constipation and other GI side effects.
False
Rosuvastatin (Lipitor) and Atorvastatin (Crestor) are which type of antihyperlipidemic?
HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
List the possible side effects of statins:
GI distress, constipation, muscle cramps, fatigue, cataracts, liver impairment, rhabdomyolysis
True or False: Statins can take 6-8 weeks to work.
True
True or False: Once a person starts taking antihyperlipidemic medication, there is no longer a need for lifestyle modifications.
False
How can patients reduce GI side effects related to statins?
Take them with a meal and a full glass of water.
What types of medications can we use to improve peripheral blood flow?
Statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelets, and hemorrheologic medications?
Cilostazol (Pletal) is what type of drug?
Antiplatelet
What foods and herbs interact with cilostazol?
Grapefruit and green tea increase levels. Ginger and Ginkgo increase bleeding time. St. John’s wort decreases the effect.
