Drugs List

Question 1

Antacids

Answer 1

Generic names: Aluminium/magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate + magnesium carbonate
Principal mechanism: Gastric acid neutralisation

Question 2

Antacids + alginates

Answer 2

Generic names: Sodium alginate with sodium bicarbonate + calcium carbonate
Principal mechanism: Gastric acid neutralisation + increasing viscosity of stomach contents

Question 3

H2 receptor antagonists

Answer 3

Generic names: Ranitidine, cimetidine

Principal mechanism: Blockade of gastric H2 histamine receptors

Question 4

Proton-pump inhibitors

Answer 4

Generic names: Omeprazole, lansoprazole

Principle mechanism: Blockage of parietal cell proton transporters

Question 5

Bulk laxatives

Answer 5

Generic name: Methylcellulose, ispaghula husk

Principle mechanism: Water retention in intestinal lumen to soften + bulk stools

Question 6

Osmotic laxatives

Answer 6

Generic name: Magnesium sulphate + magnesium hydroxide (saline purgatives), macrogol, lactulose
Principle mechanism: Water retention in intestinal lumen to soften + bulk stools

Question 7

Faecal softeners

Answer 7

Generic name: Docusate, arachis oil
Principle mechanism: Stimulates water + electrolyte secretion into intestinal lumen; lower surface tension, allowing water to enter stool

Question 8

Stimulant purgatives

Answer 8

Generic name: Bisacodyl, senna

Principle mechanism: Increase intestinal motility

Question 9

Oral rehydration therapy

Answer 9

Generic names: Isotonic/hypotonic solution of glucose and NaCl

Question 10

Opioid anti-motility agents

Answer 10

Generic names: Loperamide, codeine

Principle mechanism: Agonist for u-opioid receptors in myenteric plexus

Question 11

Loop diuretics

Answer 11

Generic names: Furosemide

Principle mechanism: Inhibits Na+/K+/Cl- transporter in loop of henle

Question 12

Thiazides (+ related diuretics)

Answer 12

Generic names: Indapamide, Bendroflumethiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, chlortalidone
Principle mechanism: Inhibits Na+/Cl- co-transporter in early distal tubule

Question 13

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Answer 13

Generic names: Spironolactone, eplerenone (mineralocorticoid receptor (aldosterone) antagonists), amiloride (epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) antagonist)
Principle mechanism: MR blockage (spironolactone) + blockade of Na+ reabsorption via ENaC channel (amiloride)

Question 14

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Answer 14

Generic names: Acetazolamide

Principle mechanism: Prevent renal reabsorption of bicarbonate

Question 15

Osmotic diuretics

Answer 15

Generic names: Mannitol

Principle mechanism: Increases osmolarity of glomerular filtrate

Question 16

Renin inhibitor

Answer 16

Generic names: Aliskiren

Principle mechanism: Inhibition of angiotensin I generation by renin

Question 17

Aldosterone antagonist

Answer 17

Generic names: Spironolactone

Principle mechanism: Blockade of mineralocorticoid activation

Question 18

Thyroid hormones

Answer 18

Generic names: Levothyroxine, liothyronine

Principle mechanism: Activation of thyroid hormone receptors

Question 19

Alpha-adrenergic blocker (for urinary retention)

Answer 19

Generic names: Doxazosin

Principle mechanism: Smooth muscle relaxant affecting neck of bladder

Question 20

Urinary anti-spasmodic; anticholinergic for urinary continence

Answer 20

Generic names: Oxybutinin

Principle mechanism: Blockade of muscarinic receptors leading to reduction of bladder detrusor activity