Common Drug Classes

Question 1

Beta Blockers

Answer 1

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

Question 2

ACE Inhibitors

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Vasopressin analogues

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Steroids (corticosteroids)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

NSAIDs

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

Calcium Channel Blockers

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Statins

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Anti-thyroid drugs

Answer 8

Carbimazole

Side effects; nausea, headache, fever, joint pain, skin rashes, AGRANULOCYTOSIS and NEUTROPENIA (bone marrow suppression)

Contraindications; severe blood disorders

Question 9

Sulphonylureas

Answer 9

Stimulate cells in pancreas to make more insulin

e.g. glimeperide, glipizide

Side effects; hypos, hunger weight gain,

Question 10

Benzodiazepenes

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Triptans

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Anti-fungals

Answer 12

“azole” i.e. clotrimazole

Question 13

Anti-platelets

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

Anticoagulants

Answer 14

Reduce blood clotting

Aspirin, warfarin, heparin - heparin is faster acting and used in more emergent situations

Question 15

ARB’s

Answer 15

“sartan”

angiotensin receptor blockers, used in hypertension and heart failure

Question 16

Drugs which cause cholestasis

Answer 16

gold salts, nitrofurantoin, anabolic steroids, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, sulindac, cimetidine, erythromycin, estrogen, and statins

Question 17

Immunosuppressants

Answer 17

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