Drugs from clinical cases- classification, mechanism, indications

Question 1

Aspirin

Answer 1

Salicylate.
Anti-platelet drug- inhibits COX-1.
Secondary prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular/cardiovascular disease

Question 2

Digoxin

Answer 2

Cardiac glycoside
Positive inotrope (increases cardiac contractility) and negative chronotrope
Heart failure, A. fib, atrial flutter

Question 3

Amlodopine

Answer 3

Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker.
Reduces vascular tone; little effect on cardiac contractility.
Indicated in hypertension

Question 4

Doxazosin

Answer 4

Alpha-blocker.
Vasodilator.
Resistant hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Question 5

Oxybutynin

Answer 5

Antimuscarinic.
Relaxes urinary smooth muscle.
Urinary incontinence.

Question 6

Temazapam

Answer 6

Short-acting benzodiazapene.

Short term relief of anxiety; insomnia.

Question 7

Ibuprofen

Answer 7

NSAID.
Inhibit cyclo-oxygenase.
Pain and inflammation.

Question 8

Codeine

Answer 8

Weak opioid analgesic.

Mild to moderate pain.

Question 9

Tramadol

Answer 9

Strong opiate analgesic

Moderate to severe pain.

Question 10

Furosemide

Answer 10

Loop diuretic.
Inhibit reabsorption from the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
Oedema (peripheral and pulmonary) due to heart failure resistant hypertension

Question 11

Perindopril

Answer 11

ACE inhibitor.
Reduce angiotensin-II mediated vasoconstriction.
Heart failure, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, ischaemic heart disease.

Question 12

Amitriptylline

Answer 12

Tricyclic antidepressant.

Depression, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain.

Question 13

Tiotropium

Answer 13

Short-term antimuscarinic bronchodilator.

Breathlessness in COPD.

Question 14

Salbutamol

Answer 14

Short-acting beta2-agonist.
Causes bronchodilatation.
Asthma; breathlessness in COPD

Question 15

Alendronate

Answer 15

Bisphosphonate.
Inhibits bone resorption.
Osteoporosis; Paget’s disease; hypercalcaemia

Question 16

Bendroflumothiazide

Answer 16

Thiazide diuretic.
Inhibits sodium reabsorption at the DCT.
Mild -> moderate heart failure, oedema, hypertension

Question 17

Diltiazem

Answer 17

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
Negative inotrope.
Prophylaxis/treatment of angina; hypertension

Question 18

Timolol eye drops

Answer 18

Beta-blocker.
Reduction of intra-ocular pressure by reducing rate of production of aqueous humour.
Primary open-angle glaucoma.

Question 19

Simvastatin.

Answer 19

Statin.
Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase.
Hyperlipidaemia; prevention of MI in patients with atherosclerotic disease/diabetes mellitus

Question 20

Dipyridamole

Answer 20

Antiplatelet drug.

Adjunct to anti-coagulation for thromboembolism prophylaxis

Question 21

Gliclazide.

Answer 21

Sulfonylurea.
Enhances release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Question 22

Zopiclone

Answer 22

Non benzodiazapene hypnotic.

Short term management of insomnia.

Question 23

Quinine sulfate

Answer 23

Anti-malarial.

Falciparum malaria; nocturnal leg cramps.