DRUGS Flashcards
Pilocarpine
Muscarinic receptor agonist
Used to decrease intraocular pressure in glaucoma
Atropine
Muscarinic receptor antagonist
Uncharged - can cross BBB
Used by opthamologists to dilate pupils during retinal examination
Atropine methonitrate
Charged - confined to periphery
Hyoscine
Muscarinic receptor antagonist
Edrophonium
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Short duration (5-10 minutes)
Acts on NMJ
Used in diagnosing Myasthenia Gravis
Neostigmine
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Medium duration
Acts on NMJ
Used as oral treatment for Myasthenia gravis + to reverse effect of non-depolarising NMB
Physostigmine
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Medium duration
Acts on parasympathetic ganglia
Used as eye drops for glaucoma + Alzheimer’s disease
Dyflos
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Very long duration (irreversible)
Acts on postganglionic parasympathetic synapses
Organophosphate - highly toxic
Parathione
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Very long duration (irreversible)
Acts on postganglionic parasympathetic synapses
Used as insecticide - commonly causes poisoning in humans
Suxamethonium
Nicotinic receptor agonist Acts on NMJ Phase I - prolonged depolarisation Phase II - desensitisation of receptor = muscle paralysis Used as a depolarising NMJ blocker
Chlorothiazide
Thiazide diuretic
Acts in distal tubule to block Na+/Cl- transporter
Increased Na+ in urine causes water movement into urine
More water excreted = decreased blood volume = decreased BP
Used in mild to moderate hypertension
Cilazopril
ACE inhibitor
Inhibits ACE enzyme prevents ATII production
No AT1 or AT2 receptor activation or aldosterone production = water excretion = decreased blood volume
Used for hypertension
Side effects:
- cough (bradykinin accumulation because ACE degrades bradykinin)
- angiodema
- hypotension
- rash
Losartan
ARB - Angiontensin Receptor Blockers
Blocks AT1 receptor = no pathological effects
Side effects: no bradykinin accumulation so no cough
- hypotension
Used for hypertension
GTN
Glyceryl Trinitrate Releases NO and causes vasodilation Used in acute attacks of angina Side effects: - reflex tachycardia - dizziness - headache - hypotension - flushing
Propranolol
Non-selective beta blocker Blocks B1 and B2 receptors in the heart, lungs, and kidney Used to treat hypertension (only in combination with others) Side effects: - fatigue - CNS effects - bronchoconstriction (asthmatics) - worsening lipid profile - hypoglycaemia (blocks glycogenolysis)
Atenolol
B1 selective beta blocker
Unable to cross BBB = no CNS effects
Doesn’t target B2 = no bronchoconstriction
Used in treatment of angina, hypertension (in combination not first line), arrythmias
Side effects:
- fatigue + reduced exercise tolerance
Metaprolol
B1 selective beta blocker
Able to cross BBB = CNS effects
Doesn’t target B2 = no bronchoconstriction
Used in treatment of angina, arrythmias, hypertension (in combination with other drugs, not first line)
Side effects:
- CNS effects
- fatigue + reduced exercise tolerance
Nifedipine
Vessel specific Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)
Acts on resting channels = vessel specific
Blocks L-type calcium channels
Used in hypertension treatment of elderly patients (relieves vessel stiffness)
Side effects:
- hypotension
- facial flushing
- reflex tachycardia + increased work for heart (don’t use alone)
Verapamil + Diltiazem
Cardiac + vessel Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)
Act on active channels
Block L-type calcium channels
Used in angina (increase oxygen supply to heart + reduce workload)
Also used in hypertension + arrhythmias
Side effects:
- hypotension
- flushing
- can cause cardiac depression if used with Beta blockers
Aspirin
Antiplatelet
Irreversibly binds COX enzyme
COX1 produces TXA2 - platelet chemotaxic agents = inhibited = reduced platelet recruitment = reduced clot formation
Low dose = portal circulation and minimal COX2 inhibition
Used to reduce risk of clot formation
Side effects:
- gastric bleeding
Heparin
Anticoagulant Increases ATIII (antithrombin III) activity + binding to Factor Xa, prothombin and thrombin Inhibits clot formation Used in MI or stroke, DVT Side effects: haemorrhage Antagonist = protamine sulfate
Warfarin
Anticoagulant Prevents Vitamin K reduction (involved in prothrombin formation) = prevents fibrin formation Used for MI or stroke, DVT etc. Side effects: - haemorrhage - bruising - Low TI - drug interaction (CYP450) Reversal therapy: - Vitamin K administration - fresh frozen plasma containing clotting factors - prothrombinex-VF
Alteplase
recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) = fibrinolytic
converts plasminogen to plasmin = breaks down the clot
Used for MI or stroke (short time frame use)
Side effects: bleeding
Aspirin
NSAID Irreversibly binds COX enzyme Inhibits COX2 inflammatory effects but also COX1 gastroprotective effects Used for treatment of inflammatory pain Side effects: GI effects + bleeding
Indomethacin
NSAID
More COX1 selective
Anti-inflammatory
More adverse effects due to COX1 selectivity