Pharmacology

Question 1

1st line drugs for hypertension and escalation of management

*why not beta-blockers?

Answer 1

ACEi/ARB/Thiazide diuretic/ dihydropyrodine Ca channel blocker

1. Single agent
2. 2x 1st line agents
3. Increase doses (one at a time)

*no stroke-prevention

Question 2

Treatment of hyperlipidaemia

Answer 2

Statins: HMG-CoA resuctase inhibitors (inhibjts rate-limiting step in mevalonate pathway > reduced production of substrates for cholesterol)

Fibrates
-Use for high triglycerides

Ezetimibe: inhibts cholesterol absorption

PCSK9 inhibitors

Bile acid sequestrants: interrups reabsorption of bile acids
E.g. cholestyramine

Question 3

Benzodiazepines

Answer 3

GABA agonists

Effect:
Anxiolytic
Reduced muscle tone
Anticonvulsant
Amnesia
Sedation

Question 4

Serotonin syndrome

Question 5

SSRI side effects and withdrawal syndrome

Question 6

Drugs unsafe during pregnancy

Answer 6

NSAIDs
ARB/ACEi
Methotrexate
Chemotherapy