Common Drug Classes Flashcards
Beta Blockers
Reduce blood pressure by blocking epinephrine
usually “olol”
i.e. bisoprolol, propranolol, atenolol
Side effects; dizziness, weakness, drowsiness/fatigue, cold hands and feet, headache, diarrhoea/constipation
Contraindications; symptomatic bradycardia, AV block, decompensated HF and asthma
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor used to treat hypertension and CHF
It decreases angiotensin II production, which is a vasoconstrictor and increases water retention enhancer. Thus, it enlarges BVs, and also reduces water retention, lowering BP.
usually “pril”
i.e. ramipril, perindopril, fosinopril
Side effects; dry cough, hyperkalaemia, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, loss of taste
Contraindications; patients with diabetes mellitus or eGFR<60ml/min should not have ACEI + renin inhibitor
Vasopressin analogues
Vasopressin itslef acts on kidneys and BVs to reduce water output, thus raising BP
usually “pressin”
i.e. desmopressin, terlipressin
Side effects; abdo pain, chest pain, fluid imbalance, hypertension, tremor, gas, vomiting, pallor
Contraindications; chronic nephritis, vascular disease
Steroids (corticosteroids)
Anti-inflammatory
usually “one”
i.e. prednisolone
Side effects; indigestion, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, increased appetite, mood changes, increased infection risk
Contraindications; untreated systemic infection, caution in people with other conditions i.e. hypertension, DM
NSAIDs
Inhibit cyclo-oxygenase and thus prostaglandin production
Reduce pain, decrease fever, prevent blood clots and reduce inflammation
i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac
Side effects; stomach pain, heartburn, stomach ulcers, tendency to bleed more, headaches and dizziness
Contraindications; peptic ulcer, uncontrolled hypertension, kidney disease, IBD, past TIA/stroke (excluding aspirin)
Calcium Channel Blockers
antihypertensive drugs, also used in arrythmias and cluster headaches
usually end in “dipine” i.e. amlodipine, felodipine etc. but also verapamil and diltiazem
Side effects; headahce, constipation, rash, nausea, flushing, oedema
Contraindications; pre-existing cardiac conduction disorders (e.g. AV shock, sick sinus rhythm), symptomatic hypotension, acute coronary syndrome
Statins
To reduce high cholesterol
end in “statin”
i.e. simvastatin, atorvastatin
Side effects; difficulty sleeping, headaches, flushed skin, muscle aches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting
Contraindications; active hepatic disease, unexplained persistent aminotransferase elevation, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Anti-thyroid drugs
Carbimazole
Side effects; nausea, headache, fever, joint pain, skin rashes, AGRANULOCYTOSIS and NEUTROPENIA (bone marrow suppression)
Contraindications; severe blood disorders
Sulphonylureas
Stimulate cells in pancreas to make more insulin
e.g. glimeperide, glipizide
Side effects; hypos, hunger weight gain,
Benzodiazepenes
Anxiety reducing, hypnotic, sedative, anti-convulsant medication
usually end in “am” i.e. diazepam, lorazepam, clobazam
Side effects; drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, trembling, impaired co-ordination, vision problems
Contraindications; can cause respiratory depression so not for use in people with myaesthenia gravis, sleep apnoea, COPD, bronchitis
Triptans
Used in treatment of migraines and cluster headaches; serotonin agonists
“triptan” i.e. sumatriptan
Side effects; dizziness, fatigue, headache other than migraine, skin tingling, flushing, feeling hot or cold
Contraindications; CV disease
Anti-fungals
“azole” i.e. clotrimazole
Anti-platelets
Decrease platelet aggregation and thrombus formation
Clopidogrel, ticagrelor
Side effects; headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach ache, nosebleeds
Contraindications; history of leukopenia/thrombocytopaenia/agranulocytosis, blood diseases that prolong bleeding, caution in patients with liver disease (stop if hepatitis or jaundice develop)
Anticoagulants
Reduce blood clotting
Aspirin, warfarin, heparin - heparin is faster acting and used in more emergent situations
ARB’s
“sartan”
angiotensin receptor blockers, used in hypertension and heart failure
Drugs which cause cholestasis
gold salts, nitrofurantoin, anabolic steroids, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, sulindac, cimetidine, erythromycin, estrogen, and statins
Immunosuppressants
To suppress immune system
i.e. steroids, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, azathioprine
Side effects; more likely to get ill, stomach upset, decrease in muscle function and co-ordination (tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
Contraindications; already significantly immunosuppressed
