Pharmacology Flashcards
3 beta adrenoreceptor agonists are?
dobutamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline (catecholamines)
All beta adrenoreceptor agonists will…
Produce an increase in force, rate and oxygen consumption but a decrease in cardiac efficiency.
Clinical uses of adrenaline?
IV injection in cardiac arrest
IM injection in anaphylaxis
Clinical use of dobutamine?
Acute but potentially reversible heart failure
Examples of beta blockers?
- Beta 1 and 2= propranolol
* Beta 1 only= atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol
Atropine is a non-selective blocker of….
All acetyl choline muscarinic receptors
Effect of atropine? It is used in?
Increase in HR in normal subjects (at all but low doses)
First line in management of severe, or symptomatic bradycardia, particularly following myocardial infarction
Why must you give at least 300mg of atropine?
In low doses it makes bradycardia even worse
What does digoxin do?
Increases heart contractility
How does digoxin work?
It blocks the sodium potassium pump which results in increased calcium induced calcium release resulting in shortening of action potential and refractory period so force of contraction is increased.
Why and what are the side effects of digoxin?
- Cardiac effects- propensity to cause arrhythmias and excessive depression of AV node conduction
- Major 4- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and disturbances of colour vision
DUE TO NON-SELECTIVE BINDING TO Na/K ATPase
2 classes of drugs used to relax vascular smooth muscle?
Organic nitrates
Calcium channel blockers
Two examples of organic nitrate drugs and when are they used?
Glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN)
In all types of Angina
Describe GTN spray
- Short acting only 30 mins.
- It undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism (almost completely inactivated by the liver)
- It is administered sublingually as a tablet or as a spray for rapid effect before exertion in stable angina or IV in conjunction with aspirin (in unstable angina)
- More sustained effect if delivered by transdermal patch.
Describe ISMN
- Longer-acting (t½ = 4 hours) – resistant to first-pass metabolism
- Administered orally for prophylaxis and a more sustained effect (usually in the morning and at lunch)
- Not used to relieve attacks only prevent.
Adverse effects of the organic nitrates?
- Headaches may occur initially – due to arteriolar dilatation
- Hypotension and fainting
- Reflex tachycardia – prevented by co-administration of a β-blocker (which also improves stable and unstable angina by lowering myocardial oxygen requirement)
- Formation of methaemoglobin (oxidation product of haemoglobin which does not carry oxygen) – rarely occurs.
Why is ISMN given in the morning and at lunch?
Allows a nitrate low period over night and in the evening meaning patients are less likely to develop a tolerance to it
What do calcium channel blockers do?
Calcium blockers physically block, or prevent the opening, of L-type channels in excitable tissues in response to depolarization and hence limit increased [Ca2+]i
Three main types of calcium channel blockers?
- Verapamil- relatively selective for cardiac L-type channels- decrease in cardiac force- block the pore.
- Amlodipine (dihydropyridine) compound- relatively selective for smooth muscle L-type channels)- act allosterically to prevent channel opening.
- Dilitiazem- (intermediate selectivity)
What calcium blockers are used in hypertension and why?
The dihydropyridines (amlodipine) They have selectivity for smooth muscle L-type channels are preferred minimising the negative effects on the heart.
When are calcium channel blockers used in angina?
Prophylactic treatment, often used in combination with GTN particularly if beta-blockers are contraindicated
What does aliskerin do?
Inhibit the action of renin
What do ACE inhibitors do and example of one and adverse side effect?
Block conversion of angiotension 1 to angiotension 2. They also increase amount of bradykinin in the blood. Lisinopril. Dry cough.