Cardiovascular drugs

Question 1

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Answer 1

“-statins”

lovastatin, pravastatin

decrease mortality in CAD patients

Hepatotoxicity, myopathy

lowers LDL

Question 2

prevents intestinal reabsorption of bile acids

Answer 2

Bile acid resins

cholestyramine, colstipoll, colesevelam

Can cause GI upset, decrease the absorption of other drugs and fat soluble vitamines. May also cause cholesterol gall stones and taste bad

Question 3

Prevent cholesterol absorption at the small intesting brush border

Answer 3

Exetimibe

can cause diarrhea and rarely increases LFT’s

Question 4

upregulates LPL leading to an increase in TG clearance (VLDL Clearance)

Answer 4

Fimbrates

gemfibrozil, bezafibrate, fenofibrate

actavates PPAR-alpha to induce HDL synthesis

can cause myopathy- use caution if coadministered with statins

Question 5

Inhibits lipolysis (hormone sensitive lipase)

Answer 5

Niacin

can cause a red, flushed face (counteract with NSAIDS) hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia

Question 6

Inactivation of LDL receptor degredation

(increases the amount of LDL removed from the bloodstream)

Answer 6

PCSK9 inhibitors

Alirocumab, evolocumab

may cause myalgias, delirium, dementia and have other neurocognitive effects

Question 7

What cardiac drugs are known to improve the survival of patients with systolic CHF?

Answer 7

ACE inhibitors and diuretics are recommended for those with systolic CHF adn volume overload and have consistently proven to improve symptomatology and outcomes.

Aldosterone antagonists are recommeded to preserve renal function and normal plasma potassium