Cardio Medications

Question 1

ACE inhibitors and mechanism:

Answer 1

• the “-prils”: enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, etc.
• Mechanism: impede the production of angiotensin II.

Question 2

What is the suffix of ACE inhibitors?

Answer 2

“-prils”: enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, etc

Question 3

What is Angiotensin II?

Answer 3

• a vasoconstrictor that stimulates the secretion of aldosterone.
• production is inhibited by ACE inhibitors.

Question 4

What drugs impede the production of angiotensin II?

Answer 4

• ACE inhibitors
• the “-prils”: enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, etc.

Question 5

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and mechanism:

Answer 5

• the “-sartans”: losartan, irbesartan, etc.
• Mechanism: same rationale as for ACE inhibitors, except these compounds selectively block the type AT1 angiotensin II receptor.

Question 6

What is the suffix of Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)?

Answer 6

the “-sartans”: losartan, irbesartan, etc.

Question 7

What drugs selectively block the type AT1 angiotensin II receptor?

Answer 7

• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• the “-sartans”: losartan, irbesartan, etc.

Question 8

What drug is a cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist?

Answer 8

atropine

Question 9

Atropine mechanism:

Answer 9

• blocks the cholinergic-muscarinic receptor effects of ACh
• an antiparasympathetic.

Question 10

β-blockers and mechanism:

Answer 10

• the “-olols”: metoprolol, atenolol, etc.
• Mechanism: impede the β1-mediated SNS effects; β blockers have varying degrees of specificity for β1 over β2.

Question 11

In medical practice, the term “β blocker” implies blockade of what receptors?

Answer 11

type β1 receptors.

Question 12

β-blockers suffix:

Answer 12

the “-olols”: metoprolol, atenolol, etc.

Question 13

What drug is a Type L Ca2+ channel antagonist:

Answer 13

amlodipine

Question 14

Amlodipine Mechanism:

Answer 14

• preferentially blocks type L Ca2+ channels expressed within VSM
• mediates VSM contraction.

Question 15

What drugs are positive inotropics (increase contractile force)?

Answer 15

• epinephrine, norepinephrine, cardiac glycosides (i.e. digoxin)
• Mechanism: enhance cardiac contractility (all three) and/or rate (epi and norepi).

Question 16

What drugs enhance cardiac contractility?

Answer 16

• epinephrine, norepinephrine, cardiac glycosides (i.e. digoxin)

Question 17

What drugs inrease heart rate?

Answer 17

epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 18

What drug is a loop diuretic?

Answer 18

furosemide

Question 19

Furosemide mechanism:

Answer 19

• loop diuretic
• impairs Na+, K+, and Cl- reabsorption by the kidneys. This holds H2O in forming urine and thus induces diuresis.

Question 20

What drug is a thiazide diuretic?

Answer 20

hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Question 21

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) mechanism:

Answer 21

• thiazide diuretic
• impairs Na+ reabsorption by the kidneys; other blood pressure lowering effects with poorly understood mechanism of action.

Question 22

What drugs are calcium channel blockers?

Answer 22

verapamil and diltiazem

Question 23

Verapamil and diltiazem mechanism:

Answer 23

• block cardiac type L Ca2+ channels
• delays AV nodal conduction, negative inotropy; little effect on non-cardiac type L channels.

Question 24

What drugs delay AV nodal conduction and inotropy?

Answer 24

• verapamil and diltiazem
• block cardiac type L Ca2+ channels

Question 25

β2 adrenoceptor agonists and mechanism:

Answer 25

• albuterol and salmeterol
• Mechanism: short-acting and long-acting β2 agonists, respectively. Promote bronchiolar smooth muscle relaxation.

Question 26

What drug is a short-acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist?

Answer 26

albuterol

Question 27

What drug is a long-acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist?

Answer 27

salmeterol

Question 28

Albuterol and salmeterol mechanism:

Answer 28

• β2 adrenoceptor agonists
• Promote bronchiolar smooth muscle relaxation.

Question 29

Fluticasone Mechanism:

Answer 29

• inhaled glucocorticoid receptor agonist
• anti-inflammatory.