Cardiovascular Medications Flashcards
Common medications for hypertension
What classes of medications are used in cardiology?
-Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
-Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
-Beta Blockers
-Calcium Channel Blockers
-Diuretics
-Blood Thinners
-Alpha Blockers
-Peripheral Vasodilators
-Nitrites
What do Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitors do
Inhibit an enzyme that activates angiotensin, a hormone that plays a role in regulating blood pressure.
What are indications of ACE-Is?
Hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) (due to their cardiac-remodeling characteristics)
ACE-Is common suffixes
-pril
Adverse reactions to ACE-Is
ACE-I induced cough, a dry and unproductive cough, angiodema (swelling of the face, throat and tongue), hypotension.
Note: patients who develop this this will need to be switched to another class of medications.
T/F: ACE-Is are contraindicated in pregnancy.
True
Commonlu used ACE-Is
Lisinopril (Zestril; Prinivil)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Ramipril (Altace)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Captopril (Capoten)
Quinapril – (Accupril)
What do Angiotensin Receptor Blockers do?
Inhibit the action of angiotensin by blocking the receptors that it normally binds to.
Note: ARBs produce a similar effect to ACE-inhibitors.
What are indications of ARBs?
Same as ACE inhibitors – hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) (due to their cardiac-remodeling characteristics).
Adverse reactions in ARBs?
dry cough (significantly less so than ACE inhibitors), angioedema, fatigue.
Common ARBs suffix?
-sartan
Common used ARBs
Candesartan (Atacand)
Ibesartan (Avapro)
Losartan (Cozaar)
Olmesartan (Benicar)
Telmisartan (Micardis)
Valsartan (Diovan)
What do antiarrhythmic agents do?
Designed to treat an abnormality of the heart rhythm. They may be used to terminate the abnormal rhythm, prevent it happening or slow the heart rate during the abnormal rhythm to make it more tolerable.
What are indications in antiarrhythmic agents?
Abnormal heart rhythm due to atrial and ventricular fibrillation.
Adverse drug reactions in antiarrhythmic agents?
QT prolongation, dizziness, drowsiness
Commonly used antiarrhythmic agents?
Amiodarone (Cordarone; Pacerone)
Flecainide (Tambacor)
Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Quinidine (Quinalan)
Propafenone (Rythmol)
What other cardiovascular medications can be used to as antiarrhythmic agents?
Beta blocker and calcium channel blockers
What are indications in anticoagulants/blood thinners?
Prevent the formation of blood cots in blood vessels and reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.
Adverse reactions in blood thinners?
Bleeding, bruising, fatigue
How may bleeding as an ADR present in a patient taking blood thinners?
Signs of bleeding can include nose bleeds, bleeding gums, easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from minor injuries.
Commonly used blood thinners?
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Warfarin (Janotoven,
Coumadin® – discontinued in 2020)
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
What blood thinner is taken orally?
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
What is the antidote to reverse the effects of Warfarin (Coumadin)?
Vitamin K (phytonadione)
Indications in antiplatelet agents?
Prevents platelets from sticking together, which reduces the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or angina.
Adverse reactions in antiplatelet agents?
Bleeding, bruising, stomach irritation
Commonly used antiplatelets?
Aspirin (Various)
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Prasugrel (Effient)
What are indications in Beta Blockers?
Hypertension, angina (chest pain), myocardial infraction, arrhythmias
Adverse reactions in beta blockers?
Fatigue, bradycardia (slow heart rate), bronchoconstriction, depression
Commonly used Beta Blockers?
Atelol (Tenormin)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
Metaprolol Succinate (Toprol XL)
Metaprolol Tartrate (Lopressor)
Carvedilol (Coreg)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Labetalol (Trandate)
Drug-disease interaction with Beta Blockers?
Asthma
Note: Beta Blockers constrict airways
What are indications of Calcium Channel Blockers?
Hypertension, angina, arrhythmias
Adverse reactions to Calcium Channel Blockers?
Peripheral edema, palpitation, drowsiness, headache
Commonly used Calcium Channel Blockers?
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Dilitiazem (Cardizem; Dilacor XR)
Verapamil (Calan; Verelan)
Indications in Cardiac Glycosides
Congestive heart failure, arrhythmias
Adverse reactions in cardiac glycosides?
Diarrhea, headache, dizziness, vision changes
Commonly used Cardiac Glycosides?
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
What is Hyperlipidemia?
High cholesterol characterized by high amounts of lipids (fats) in the blood.
What are the two types of fats that can be found in the blood?
Cholesterol and Triglycerides
What are the goals of pharmacotherapy when treating hyperlipidemia/high cholesterol?
Lower cholesterol and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and complications.
What are the medications that fall under to treat hyperlipidemia?
Bile Acid Sequestrants,
Fibric Acids,
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors,
Omega-3 Fatty Acids,
Protein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors,
Other miscellaneous types f cholesterol-lowering drugs
What commonly used bile acid sequestrants?
Cholestyramine (Questran)
Colesevelam (Welchol)
Colestipol (Colestid)
What are commonly used fibric acids?
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
What are commonly used HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors?
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
What are commonly used Omega-3 fatty acids?
Icosapent Ethyl (Vascepa)
Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters (Lovaza)
What are commonly protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors used?
Alirocumab (Praluent)
Evolocumab (Repatha)
What are other miscellaneous types of cholesterol-lowering agents?
Bempedoic Acid (Nexletol)
Ezitimibe (Zetia)
Niacin (Niaspan)
What are indications of diuretics?
Enhance diuresis (Increased urine production) to alleviate edema-related hypertension.
Adverse reactions to diuretics?
Orthostatic hypotension, hypokalemia (depending on the type of diuretic.
What are the three types of diuretics?
Thiazide Diuretics, Loop Diuretics, and Potassium-sparing Diuretics.
What is the mechanism of action in thiazide diuretics?
Increase excretion pf water along with potassium and sodium.
Adverse reactions to thiazide diuretics?
Hypokalemia (decreased potassium), hyponatremia (decreased sodium), and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
What are commonly used thiazide diuretics?
Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
Chlorothalidone (Thalitone)
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Patients taking thiazide diuretics should supplement with what?
Potassium Chloride
What is the abbreviation for hydrochlorothiazide?
HCTZ
Which type of diuretic is often combined with other medications?
Thiazide Diuretics
What is the mechanism of action in loop diuretics?
Increase excretion of water by also excreting potassium.
What is the common suffix for loop diuretics?
-ide
What are the commonly used loop diuretics?
Furosemide (Lasix)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Torsemide (Demadex)
What is the mechanism of action in potassium-sparing diuretics?
Increase excretion of water without wasting any potassium?
Adverse reactions to potassium-sparing diuretics?
May cause hyperkalemia (increased potassium).
What should patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics avoid in terms of diet?
Salt substitutes: they use potassium instead of sodium.
What are commonly used potassium sparing diuretics?
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Triamterene / HCTZ (Dyazide)
What are commonly used electrolytes?
Potassium Chloride (Klor-Con; K-Dur; K-Tab)
What is the mechanism of action in Alpha Blockers?
Can be used to treat high blood pressure and benign prostatic hypertension.
What are adverse reactions in alpha blockers?
Dizziness, orthostatic hypotension
What are commonly used Alpha Blockers?
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Prazosin (Minipress)
What is the common suffix in alpha blockers?
-osin
What is the mechanism of action in Peripheral Vasodilators?
Dilate (widen) blood vessels resulting in lower blood pressure.
What are commonly used peripheral vasodilators?
Hydralazine (Apresoline)
What is the look-alike sound-alike drug to hydralazine?
Hydroxyzine
What is the mechanism of action in Alpha Agonists?
Affects neurotransmitters in the brain to lower blood pressure
What is an indication of alpha agonists other than hypertension?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What are commonly used alpha agonists?
Clonidine (Catapress)
What is the mechanism of action in Nitrates?
Dilate (widen) arteries leading to more blood flow.
What are indications in nitrates?
Treat or prevent angina (heart pain)
What are commonly used nitrates?
Isosorbide/Hydralazine (BiDil)
Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets (Nitro-Quick; Nitro-Stat)
What are contraindications in nitrates? Why?
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) such as Sildenafil (Viagra) or Tadalafil (Cialis), because they both dilate blood vessels and can cause a very severe drop in blood pressure if used together.
What is the abbreviation for Nitroglycerin?
NTG
