Drugs

Question 1

ACE inhibitor side effects

Answer 1

dry cough
hyperkalaemia
postural hypotension

Question 2

Name 2 alpha blockers

Answer 2

tamsulosin
doxazosin

Question 3

When are alpha blockers (esp. doxazosin) useful in hypertension management?

Answer 3

when prostate problems are also present as doxazosin can be used for both benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension

Question 4

Name 2 commonly used calcium channel blockers for hypertension

Answer 4

amlodipine
lercanidipine

Question 5

SIde effects of non rate limiting CCBs

Answer 5

ankle swelling (esp. amlodipine)
postural hypotension

Question 6

What statin does amlodipine interact with?

Answer 6

simvastatin

Question 7

Side effects of thiazide diuretics

Answer 7

hypokalaemia
hyponatraemia
hyperuricaemia (may precipitate gout)

Question 8

Spironolactone MOA

Answer 8

aldosterone antagonist
(potassium sparing diuretic)

Question 9

Spironolactone side effects

Answer 9

painful gynaecomastia (switch to eplenerone)
hyperkalaemia
reduced eGFR

Question 10

Name 2 loop diuretics

Answer 10

furosemide
bumetanide (40x more potent than furosemide)

Question 11

What drugs should not be co-prescribed with ACE-inhibitors?

Answer 11

NSAIDs
can cause renal failure

Question 12

Can statins be given in pregnancy?

Answer 12

no they are contraindicated

Question 13

Flecainide MOA

Answer 13

sodium channel blocker

Question 14

Amiodarone MOA

Answer 14

potassium channel blocker

Question 15

How can paroxysmal AF be treated?

Answer 15

‘pill in pocket’ flecainide (if no structural heart disease)

Question 16

How can beta blockers affect hypoglycaemic awareness?

Answer 16

reduced hypoglycaemic awareness
prescribe with caution in diabetics

Question 17

Why might younger patients be on statins?

Answer 17

type 1 diabetes
familial hypercholesterolaemia