Drugs to Know

Question 1

What is Alendronate?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 1

Bisphosphonate - inhibits Rank L signalling to osteoclast by osteoblasts to decrease bone resorption.

I - Osteoporosis, myeloma, long term steroids

Question 2

What is Atenolol

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 2

Cardio-selective Beta Blocker - inhibits B1 on heart

I - angina, ICS, arrhythmia

Question 3

What is Atracurium?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 3

Muscle relaxant - competitively binds to cholinergic receptors at NMJ to inhibit ACh action.

I - Surgery

Question 4

What is Bendroflumethiazide?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 4

Thiazide Diuretic - inhibits Na/Cl co-transporter in DCT

Question 5

What is Cefuroxime?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 5

3rd gen Cephalosporin - Beta lactam

I - UTIs, prostatitis/pyelonephritis and HAP

Question 6

What is Celecoxib?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 6

Selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID which reduces the risk of causing an upper GI bleed.

I - pain relief in OA, RA, Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 7

What is Chloramphenicol?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 7

Potent antibiotic often used in eye infections as eye drops

Question 8

What is Ciclosporin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 8

Calcineurin Inhibitor (similar to Tacrolimus) - Activates the T cell response

Causes immunosuppression

I - RA Psoriasis, Nephrotic syndrome, Crohns, Dermatitis + SICCA

Question 9

What is Ciprofloxacin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 9

Fluoroquinolone - antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase and topoisomerase

I - Gram -tve bacteria

Question 10

What is Co-amoxiclav?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 10

Combined Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid - beta lactam Abx + beta lactamase inhibitor

Used for Beta lactamase producing bacteria (Gram -tve)

Question 11

What is Diamorphine?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 11

Opioid analgesic - 2x stronger than morphine (it is heroin)

I - strong analgesia but not used long term

Question 12

What is Dalteparin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 12

A LMWH - inhibits antithrombin III

I - DVT/PE and prevent risk of MI/stroke (ischaemic)

Question 13

What is Dobutamine?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 13

Beta 1 agonist (given IV ONLY)

I - Cardiogenic shock and Severe Heart failure

Question 14

What is Doxazosin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 14

Similar to Tamsulosin - an alpha adrenergic antagonist (alpha blocker)

I - HTN (mainly) also Phaeochromocytoma and BPH

Question 15

What is Erythromycin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 15

A Macrolide Abx that inhibits the 50s ribosome for bacteria protein synthesis.

I - CAP, URTI, pertussis, Diphtheria

Question 16

What is Ethinylestradiol?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 16

Oestrogen replacement (HRT)

Treat post menopausally low oestrogen levels

Can cause osteoporosis

Question 17

What is Furosemide?

Answer 17

Loop Diuretic

Inhibits the NKCCl2 transporter in Ascending LOH

I - HF, Oedema

Question 18

What is Ipratropium Bromide?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 18

Short Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (SAMA) - acts on M3 receptors to prevent bronchoconstriction

SABA preferred

Question 19

What is Loperamide?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 19

Antimotility agent - used when patient has diarrhoea

Opioid Receptor antagonist (binds to Mu receptor) and will reduce GI motility

I - Severe Diarrhoea (eg. in coeliacs or IBS-D)

Question 20

What is Metformin?

Answer 20

A Biguanide T2DM drug

Increases peripheral sensitivity to insulin

SE - Gi Upset, Lactic acidosis

Question 21

What is Methotrexate?

Answer 21

A DMARD - Folate synthesis inhibitor by inhibiting Dihydrofolate reductase

I - Key use in improving the prognosis of RA and Psoriasis and reactive arthritis

CI - preggo

Question 22

What is Oxybutynin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 22

An Anti muscarinic used to treat and overactive bladder and LUTs

Also used in incontinence - stress and urge

Question 23

What is Ramipril?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 23

ACE inhibitor

I - BP, Angina, HF

SE - hypokalaemia, AKI, Dry cough and teratogenic

Question 24

What is Riviroxaban?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 24

DOAC - Factor Xa inhibitor

I - First line and prophylaxis in DVT and PE

Question 25

What is Salmeterol?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 25

Long Acting Beta Agonist (LABA)

Question 26

What is Sildenafil?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 26

VIAGRA - Selective Inhibitor of cGMP
A phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE-5)

Treats Erectile Dysfunction and Idiopathic Pulmonary HTN

Question 27

What is Suxamethonium?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 27

Very rapid acting depolarising type neuromuscular junction blocking agent.

Question 28

What is Tamsulosin?

What is its mechanism of action?

What are its indications?

Answer 28

An alpha blocker used to treat BPH by relaxing the bladder neck

SE - Postural Hypertension

Question 29

What is Tramadol?

Answer 29

Synthetic Opioid pain reliever for Moderate to severe pain

Acts on Mu Receptors

Weaker than Morphine!