Drugs Flashcards
What is an example of an alpha blocker?
Doxazosin, prazosin
How do alpha blockers work?
Blocking the alpha channel results in decreased TPR and MABP
What are alpha blockers used for?
Hypertension
What is the side effect of alpha blockers?
Postural hypotension
What is an example of an ACE inhibitor?
Lisinopril
How do ACE inhibitors work?
Block conversion of angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2
What are ACE inhibitors used for?
Hypertension and heart failure
What are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
Dry cough, renal failure and hypotension (especially with diuretics)
What is an example of an ARB?
Losartan
How do ARBs work?
Block the AT1 receptor for AT2
When are ARBs used?
When the dry cough of ACE inhibitors cannot be tolerated
What is the side effect of ARBs?
Renal failure
Why should ACE inhibitors and ARBs not be used in pregnancy?
Risk of renal artery stenosis
What is the general class of drug of alpha blockers, ACE inhibitors and ARBs?
Vasodilators
What is an example of a thiazide diuretic?
Bendroflumethiazide
How do thiazide diuretics work?
Block NaCl reabsorption in the distal tubule by blocking the NaCl co-transporter
What are thiazide diuretics used for?
Hypertension
What are side effects of diuretics?
Hypokalaemia (tiredness), hypoglycaemia (diabetes), increased uric acid (gout), arrhythmias
What is an example of a loop diuretic?
Furosemide
How do loop diuretics work?
Block NaCl reabsorption in the thick ascending loop of Henle by blocking the NaClK co-transporter
What are loop diuretics used for?
Hypertension, heart failure, oedema
What is an example of a dihydropyridine Ca++ antagonist?
Amlodipine
How do Ca++ antagonists work?
The L type Ca++ channels in vascular smooth muscle normally increase FoC, so blocking these means decreased TPR and MABP.
There is also coronary vasodilation
What are Ca++ antagonists used for?
Hypertension, angina and supraventricular arrhythmias
What are side effects of Ca++ antagonists?
Oedema, dizziness and hypotension
What are examples of rate limiting Ca++ antagonists?
Verapamil, diltiazem
When should you avoid use of rate limiting Ca++ antagonists?
With beta blockers
What is an example of a cardio selective beta blocker?
Atenolol
How do cardio selective beta blockers work?
Block beta 1 so stimulate Gs, increase cAMP and contractibility
When should beta blockers be used?
Heart failure, hypertension, angina
What is an example of a non-selective beta blocker?
Propranolol
When should a non-selective beta blocker be used?
Thyrotoxicosis
What do cardio non-selective beta blockers so the selective ones don’t?
Block beta 2 which causes coronary vasodilation and increases HR
What are side effects of beta blockers?
Cold peripheries, heart failure worsened if long term, bradycardia and tiredness
When should beta blockers not be used?
Asthma (can do selective) and intermittent claudication
What do Ca++ antagonists do to myocardial O2 requirement?
Decrease it
Which beta blocker is used in angina?
Atenolol
What does atenolol do to the oxygenation of the myocardium?
Increases it
What is a short acting nitrate?
GTN
What do small doses of nitrates cause?
Decreased preload and SV
What do large doses of nitrates cause?
Decreased MABP and afterload
What extra effect do nitrates have on the myocardium?
Increase perfusion to the ischaemic zone
What are side effects of nitrates?
Tolerance, headache, postural hypotension
What is an example of a long acting nitrate?
Isosorbide mononitrate
What is important about the metabolism of isosorbide mononitrate?
Resistant to first pass metabolism
What is an example of a sodium channel blocker?
Ranolozine
What do sodium blockers do?
Inhibit sodium current which decreases intracellular Ca++. This leads to reduced tension and oxygen requirements for the myocardium
When are sodium blockers used?
Chronic angina
What are side effects of sodium blockers (ranolozine)?
Constipation and dizziness
What is an example of a potassium channel opener?
Nicorandril
How do potassium channel openers work?
Promotes K+ efflux causing hyperpolarisation and smooth muscle relaxation/coronary vasodilation
When are potassium channel openers (nicorandril) used?
Stable angina not controlled by nitrates
What are side effects of potassium channel openers (nicorandril)?
Low BP and hypovolaemia, palpitations, weakness