Pharmacology Flashcards
what is the first-line treatment in younger patients with hypertension?
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
What are ACE inhibitors used to treat apart from hypertension?
heart failure
diabetic nephropathy
secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease
what types of patients are ACE inhibitors less effective on?
hypertensive afro-caribbean patients
how do ACE inhibiters work?
inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
what are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
cough - occurs in around 15% of patients and may occur up to a year after starting treatment.
angioedema - may occur up to a year after starting treatment.
hyperkalaemia
first-dose hypotension - more common in patients taking diuretics
what are the cautions and contraindictions of ACE inhibitors?
- avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- renovascular disease - significant renal impairment may occur in patients who have undiagnosed bilateral renal artery stenosis
- aortic stenosis - may result in hypotension
- patients receiving high-dose diuretic therapy - significantly increases the risk of hypotension
- hereditary of idiopathic angioedema.
what should be checked before ACE Inhibitor treatment is initiated and after increasing the dose?
Urea and electrolytes
what would be expected to rise after starting ACE inhibitors? what are acceptable changes in those?
creatinine and potassium
increase in serum creatine - up to 30% from baseline
increase in potassium up to 5.5 mmol/l
what are the effects of adenosine enhanced by?
dipyridamole (anti-platelet agent)
what are the effects of adenosine blocked by?
theophyllines
what type of patients should adenosine be avoided in? and why?
asthmatics due to possible bronchospasm.
what does adenosine cause?
transient heart block in the AV node.
what does adenosine do?
agonist of the A1 receptor which inhibits adenylyl clyclase thus reducing cAMP and causing hyperpolarization by increasing outward potassium flux.
what is the half life of adenosine?
8-10 seconds
what are the side effects of adenosine?
chest pain
bronchospasm
can enhance conduction down accessory pathways, resulting in increased ventricular rate (e.g. WPW syndrome)
what are the three types of anti-cholesterol drugs?
- statins
- fibrates
- PCSK 9 inhibitors
what is an example of a statin drug?
simvastatin, atrovastatin
what do statin drugs do?
block HMG coA reductase, anti-cholesterol drug
what conditions are statins used in?
- hypercholesterolaemia
- diabetes
- angina/MI
- CVA/TIA
- high risk of MI and CVA
what are side effects of satins?
myopathy
rhabdomyolysis… renal failure
what is an example of fibrates?
bezafibrate
what are fibrates used in?
hypertriglyceridaemia
low HDL cholesterol
hyperlipidaemia
what are examples of PCSK 9 inhibitors?
evolocumab, alirocumab
what are PCSK 9 inhibitors used for?
familial hypercholesterolaemia
how do PCSK 9 inhibitors work?
by inhibiting the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, PCSR9 inhibitor increases the number of LDLRs available to clear LDL, thereby lowering LDL-C levels.
what do diuretics do?
block Na reabsorption in kidneys
what type of diuretic is used in hypertension? what is an example of it?
thiazide diuretics
bendrofluazide
what are loop diuretics used to treat? what is an example of one?
used in heart failure or resistant hypertension
furosemide
what are diuretic side effects?
hypokalaemia - tired arrhythmias hyperglycaemia - diabetes increase in uric acid - gout impotence
what do beta blockers do?
block beta1 and/or beta2 adrenoceptors
what do cardioselective beta blockers do?
only block beta1 receptors
what are examples of cardioselective blockers?
atenolol, bisoprolol
what are cardioselective blockers used in?
angina acute coronary syndrome myocardial infarction hypertension heart failure
what do non-selective beta blockers do?
block beta1 and beta2 receptors
what are examples of non-selective beta blockers?
propranolol, carvedilol (alpha and beta blocker)
what are non-selective beta blockers used in?
thyrotoxicosis
migraine
what are side effects of beta blockers?
- asthma - contraindicated in brittle/severe asthma
- tired
- heart failure (can worsen in short term especially cardiogenic shock)
- cold peripheries
what are the two types of calcium antagonists?
dihydropyridines
rate limiting calcium antagonists
what is an example of dihydropyridines?
amlodipine
what are dihydropyridines used in?
hypertension and angina
what are side effects of dihydropyridines?
ankle oedema
what are examples of rate limiting calcium antagonists?
verapamil, diltiazem
what are rate limiting calcium antagonists used in?
hypertension
angina
supraventricular arrhythmias (AF, SVT)
what should you avoid using rate limiting calcium antagonists with?
beta blockers.
what do angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors do?
block angiotensin I becoming angiotensin II
what is an example of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor?
lisinopril
what are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor used in? what is it good for? what is it bad for?
- hypertension and heart failure
- good for kidneys in diabetic nephropathy
- bad for kidneys in renal artery stenosis
what are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors side effects?
cough
renal dysfunction
angioneurotic oedema
when should you never use angiotensin enzyme inhibitors?
in pregnancy induced hypertension
what do angiotensin receptor blockers do?
block angiotensin II receptors
what is an example of a angiotensin receptor blocker?
Losartan
what are angiotensin receptor blockers used in? what are they good for? what are they bad for?
- hypertension and heart failure
- good for kidneys in diabetic nephropathy
- bad for kidneys in renal stenosis
what are side effects of angiotensin receptor blockers?
renal dysfunction
when should angiotensin receptor blockers never be used?
pregnancy induced hypertension.
what do alpha blockers do?
block alpha adrenoceptors to cause vasodilatation
what are alpha blockers used in?
hypertension and prostatic hypertrophy
what is an example of an alpha blocker?
doxazosin
what are side effects of alpha blockers?
postural hypotension
what do mineralocorticoid antagonists do?
block aldosterone receptors
what are mineralocorticoid antagonists used in?
heart failure and resistant hypertension
what are examples of mineralocorticoid antagonists?
spironolactone, eplerenone
what are side effects of mineralocorticoid antagonists?
gynaecomastia
hyperkalaemia
renal impairment
what do nitrates do?
venodilators
what is an example of a nitrate?
isosorbide monoritrate
what are nitrates used in?
angina
acute heart failure
what are side effects of nitrates?
headache
hypotension/collapse
what is recommended with nitrates to avoid tolerance?
leave 8 hr/day nitrate-free
what does nicorandil do?
K ATP channel activator
vasodilator
what kind of drug is nicroandil?
anti-anginal
what are side effects of nicroandil?
headache
mouth/GI ulcers
what does ivabradine do?
Lf channel modulator in sinus node
slows HR in sinus rhythm
when does ivabradine not work?
atrial fibrillation
what does ranolazine do?
late sodium channel modulator
decrease calcium load on heart
is is a metabolic modulator
when is ranolazine effective?
in refractory angina
what are examples of antiplatelet drugs?
aspirin
clopidogrel
prasugrel
ticagrelor
what are examples of anticoafulant drugs?
- heparin
- fondaparinux (subcuntaneously)
- warfarin
- riveroxaban
- dabigatran
- edoxaban
what are examples of fibrinolytic?
streptokinase
tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)
what do antiplatelet agents do?
prevent new thrombosis
what are antiplatelet agents used in?
angina
acute MI
CVA/TIA
patients at high risk of MI and CVA
what are side effects of antiplatelet agents?
haemorrhage anywhere
peptic ulcer -> haemorrhage
aspirin sensitivity -> asthma
what do anticoagulants do?
prevent new thrombosis
how can heparin only be given? how can warfarin only be given?
IV
oral
what are anticoagulants used in?
deep vein thrombosis
pulmonary embolism
NSTEMI
Atrial fibrillation
what are side effects of anticoagulants?
haemorrhage anywhere
what are anticoagulants reversed by?
vitamin K
what do fibrinolytic drugs do?
dissolve formed clots
what are fibrinolytic drugs used in?
STEMI pulmonary embolism (selected cases only) CVA (selected cases only)
what is the side effect of fibrinolytic drugs?
serious risk of haemorrhage
when should fibrinolytic drugs be avoided?
recent haemorrhage (some CVAs) trauma bleeding tendencies severe diabetic retinopathy peptic ulcer
what does digoxin do?
1) blocks atrial-ventricular (AV) conduction
2) increases ventricular irritability which produces ventricular arrhythmias
when is digoxin good?
in atrial fibrillation
what happens if too much digoxin is given?
bradycardia and heart block
what does digoxin toxicity cause?
nausea vomiting yellow vision bradycardia, heart block ventricular arrhythmias
what are side effects of neprilysin inhibitor side effects?
hypotension
renal impairment
hyperkalaemia
angioneurotic oedema
what is hydralazine?
an ‘older’ antihypertensive not commonly used anymore
when is hydralazine still used sometimes?
hypertension in pregnancy and severe hypertension
how does hydralazine work?
increases cGMP leading to smooth muscle relaxation
what are the contradictions of hydralazine?
systemic lupus erythematous
ischaemic heart disease
what are the adverse effects of hydralazine?
tachycardia palpitations flushing fluid retention headache drug-induced lupus
what compounds the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors?
alcohol
what do vagal manoeuvres do?
increase parasympathetic output
when can vagal manoeuvres be used?
atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation
what are examples of vagal manoeuvres?
valsalva manoeuvre - activates aortic baroreceptors
massage of the bifucation of the carotid artery - stimulates baroreceptors in the carotid sinus
when is adenosine most commonly used?
to terminate supraventricular tachycardias
what is aminodarone used in?
atrial, nodal and ventricular tachycardia
what class of drug is aminodarone?
class III antiarrhythmic agent
what is the mechanism of action of aminodarone?
blocks potassium channels which inhibits repolarisation and hence prelongs action potential. also blocks sodium channels
why is the use of aminodarone limited?
- very long half life (20-100 days)
- should be given into central veins which causes thrombophlebitis
- has proarrthymic effects due to lengthening of the QT interval
- interacts with drugs used concurrently
- numerous long term adverse effects
what investigations should be done to patients prior to taking aminodarone?
thyroid function test
liver function test
urea and electrolyte
chest x-ray
what investigations should be done to patients after taking aminodarone?
thyroid function test and liver function test every 6 months
what are the adverse effects of aminodarone?
- thyroid dysfunction
- corneal deposits
- pulmonary fibrosis/hepatitis
- peripheral neuropathy/myopathy
- photosensitivity
- ‘slate grey’ appearance
- thrombophlebitis and injection site reactions
- bradycardia
- lengths QT interval
when are angiotensin II receptor blockers used?
situations where patients have not tolerated an ACE inhibitor, usually due to a development of a cough
what are examples of angiotensin II receptor blockers?
candesartan
losartan
irbesartan
what are the adverse effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers?
hypotension and hyperkalaemia
what is the mechanism of action of angiotensin II receptor blocker?
block effects of angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor
what is the mechanism of action of atropine?
antagonist of the muscarinic acetycholine receptor
what are the uses of atropine? what does it do?
treatment of organophasophate poisoning
speeds up heart rate
what are the physiological effects of atropine?
tachycardia
mydriasis
what are beta blockers used for?
angina post MI heart failure arrhythmias hypertension thyrotoxicosis migraine prophylaxis anxiety
what are side effects of beta blockers?
bronchospasm cold peripheries fatigue sleep disturbances including nightmares erectile dysfunction
when should beta blockers not be used?
uncontrolled heart failure
asthma
sick sinus syndrome
concurrent verapamil
what is bivalirudin?
a reversible direct thrombin inhibitor used as an anticoagulant in the management of acute coronary syndrome.
what artery is mostly used for CABG?
internal mammary artery
what does CABG stand for?
coronary artery bypass graft
how is suitability for CABG determined?
by angiography or cardiac catheterisation
what are the complications of CABG?
AF (30-40%)
stroke (2%)
what is the prognosis of CABG?
90% operations successful but further revascularisation needed in 5-10% after 5 years , mortality = 1-2% at 30 days
what type of drug is clopidogrel?
antiplatelet
when is clopidogrel a first-line drug?
in patients following an ischaemic stroke and in patients with peripheral arterial disease
what class of drugs does clopidogrel belong to? what are other examples?
thienopyridines
prasugrel
ticagrelor
ticlopidine
what is the mechanism of action of clopidogrel?
antagonist of the P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, inhibiting the activation of platelets
what drug may make clopidogrel less effective?
proton pump inhibitor (PPIs)
what is dabigatran?
an oral anticoagulant that works by being a direct thrombin inhibitor
what is dabigatran used for?
- prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism following hip or knee replacement surgery
- prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who have one or more risk factors.
what are the side effects of dabigatran?
haemorrhage
what kind of drug is dipyridamole?
antiplatelet
when is dipyridamole used?
in combination with aspirin after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack
what is the mechanism of action of dipyridamole?
inhibits phosphodiesterase, elavating cAMP levels which in turn reduce intracellular calcium levels
reduces uptake of adenosine and inhibition of thromboxane synthase
what type of drug is hydralazine?
antihypertensive
when is hydralazine it still used?
not often but sometimes for hypertension in pregnancy or severe hypertension
how does hydralazine work?
increases cGMP leading to smooth muscle relaxation
when should hydralazine not be used?
systemic lupus erythematous
ischaemic heart disease
what are the adverse effects of hydralazine?
tachycardia palpitations flushing fluid retention headache drug-induced lupus
what are examples of loop diuretics?
furosemide and bumetanide
how do loop diuretics work?
inhibit the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of henle, reducing the absorption of NaCl
what are loop diuretics used for?
heart failure: acute (IV) and chronic (oral)
resistant hypertension, particularly patients with renal impairment
what are adverse effects of loop diuretics?
hypotension hyponatreamia hypokalaemia hypomagnesaemia hypochloraemic alkalosis ototoxicity hypocalcaemia renal impairement hyperglycaemia gout
what is minoxidil?
originally an antihypertensive. now used for treatment of androgenic alopecia
what is the mechanism of action of minoxidil?
potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarisation of the cell membranes
what are the adverse effects of minoxidil?
hypertrichosis
tachycardia
fluid retention
what is nicotinic acid used in?
treatment of hyperlipidaemia
what does nicotinic acid do?
lower cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and raises HDL levels
what are the adverse effects of nicotinic acid?
flushing
impaired glucose tolerance
myositis
what effects do nitrates have?
vasodilating
what are nitrates used for?
angina
acute treatment of heart failure
how do nitrates work?
- cause release of nitric oxide in smooth muscle, increasing cGMP which leads to a fall in intracellular calcium levels
- in angina they dilate the coronary arteries and reduce venous return which in turn reduces ventricular work, reducing myocardial oxygen demand
what are the side effects of nitrates?
hypotension
tachycardia
headache
flushing
how do statins work?
inhibit the action of HMF-CoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in hepatic cholesterol synthesis
what are adverse effects of statins?
myopathy
liver impairment
increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage in patients who have had a previous stroke
how do thiazide diuretics work?
by inhibiting sodium reabsorption at the beginning of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) by blocking thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl- symporter.
what are thiazide diuretics used to treat?
mild heart failure
what are common adverse effects of thiazide diuretics?
dehydration postural hypotension hypoantraemia, hypokalaemia, hypercalcaemia gout impaired glucose tolerance impotence
what are rare adverse effects of thiazide diuretics?
thrombocytopaenia
agranulocytosis
photosensitivity rash
pancreatitis
what type of drug is warfarin?
anticoagulant
how does warfarin work?
inhibits reduction of vitamin K to its active hydroquinone form, which in turn acts as a cofactor in the carboxylation of clotting factors II,VII, IX and X and protein C
what is warfarin used in?
venous thromboembolism
atrial fibrillation
mechanical heart valves
what factors may potentiate warfarin?
liver disease
p450 enzyme inhibitors
cranberry juice
drugs which displace warfarin from plasma albumin
drugs which inhibit platelet function (NSAIDs)
what are the side effects of warfarin?
haemorrhage teratogenic skin necrosis thrombosis purple toes
what are the two types of heparin?
standard and low molecular weight heparin
how does heparin work?
by activating antithrombin III
how does standard heparin work?
forms a complex which inhibits thrombin, factors Xa, IXa, XIa and XIIa.
how does LMWH work?
increases action of antithrombin III on factor Xa
what are the adverse effects of heparin?
bleeding
thrombocytopenia
osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures
hyperkalaemia
what is spironolactone?
an aldosterone antagonist which acts in the cortical collecting duct
what is spironolactone used to treat?
ascites hypertension nephrotic syndrome heart failure conn's syndrome
what are the the adverse effects of spironolactone?
hyperkalaemia
gynaecomastia
what are examples of calcium channel blockers?
verapamil
diltiazem
nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine
what is verapamil used in?
angina
hypertension
arrhythmias
what are side effects of verapamil?
heart failure, constipation, hypotension, bradycardia, flushing
when should verapamil not be given?
with beta blockers as it could cause heart block
what is diltiazem used for?
angina, hypertension
what are the side effects of diltiazem?
hypotension
bradycardia
heart failure
ankle swelling
what is nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine used in?
hypertension, angina and raynaud’s
what are the side effects of nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine?
flushing
headache
ankle swelling
what are the side effects of atropine?
- tachycardia
- mydriasis
- dry mouth
- hypohidrosis
- constipation
- urinary retention