Top 200 Drugs General Mechanism of Action

Question 1

General mechanism of action for atorvastatin

Answer 1

competitively inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate (early rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis), increase in LDL receptors which bind and remove circulating LDL-cholesterol

Question 2

General mechanism of action for dapagliflozin

Answer 2

inhibits SGLT2 in proximal renal tubes, which reduces reabsorption of filtered glucose from the tubular lumen

Question 3

General mechanism of action of dulaglutide

Answer 3

agonist of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying

Question 4

General mechanism of action for empagliflozin

Answer 4

inhibits SGLT2 in proximal renal tubes, which reduces reabsorption of filtered glucose from the tubular lumen

Question 5

General mechanism of action of ezetimibe

Answer 5

localizes at the brush border of the small intestine and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, leading to a decrease in the delivery of intestinal cholesterol to the liver. This causes a reduction of hepatic cholesterol stores and an increase in clearance of cholesterol from the blood; this distinct mechanism is complementary to that of statins and of fenofibrate.

Question 6

General mechanism of action of fenofibrate

Answer 6

Fibric acid derivatives activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which increases lipolysis and elimination of triglyceride-rich particles from plasma by activating lipoprotein lipase and reducing production of apoprotein C-III (an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase activity). The resulting fall in triglycerides produces an alteration in the size and composition of LDL from small, dense particles to large buoyant particles. These larger particles have a greater affinity for cholesterol receptors and are catabolized rapidly.

Question 7

General mechanism of action of gemfibrozil

Answer 7

Fibric acid derivatives activate PPAR-α, which increases lipolysis and elimination of triglyceride-rich particles from plasma by activating lipoprotein lipase and reducing production of apoprotein C-III (an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase activity). Activation of PPAR-α also induces an increase in the synthesis of apoproteins A-I and A-II and HDL-cholesterol.

Question 8

General mechanism of action of liraglutide

Answer 8

Analog of glucagon-like peptide-1, which increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decreases inappropriate glucagon secretion, slows gastric emptying, and increases satiety.

Question 9

General mechanism of action of lovastatin

Answer 9

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors competitively inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

Question 10

General mechanism of action of glimepiride

Answer 10

enhance insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, potentiate insulin action on several extrahepatic tissues
Long-term sulfonylureas increase peripheral utilization of glucose, suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, and possibly increase the sensitivity and/or number of peripheral insulin receptors.

Question 11

General mechanism of action of metformin

Answer 11

reduces hepatic glucose production and enhances glucose utilization by muscle

Question 12

General mechanism of action for glipizide

Answer 12

enhance insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and potentiate insulin action on several extrahepatic tissues
Long-term sulfonylureas increase peripheral utilization of glucose, suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, and possibly increase the sensitivity and/or number of peripheral insulin receptors.

Question 13

General mechanism of action for insulin aspart

Answer 13

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.

Question 14

General mechanism of action for insulin degludec

Answer 14

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.

Question 15

General mechanism of action for insulin human

Answer 15

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.

Question 16

General mechanism of action of insulin isophane human

Answer 16

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.

Question 17

General mechanism of action of insulin lispro

Answer 17

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.

Question 18

General mechanism of action for metformin/sitaglitpin

Answer 18

Inhibit breakdown of incretin hormones responsible for stimulating pancreas to produce insulin - increase insulin to help control blood sugar; also signals liver to stop producing sugar when blood sugar is high; reduce sugar absorbed by stomach and produced by liver

Question 19

General mechanism of action for pioglitazone

Answer 19

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist used to improve insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Insulin-dependent glucose disposal in skeletal muscle is improved and hepatic glucose production is decreased

Question 20

General mechanism of action for pravastatin

Answer 20

competitively inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis
increase in LDL receptors, which bind and remove circulating LDL-cholesterol
Production of LDL-cholesterol decreases because of decreased production of VLDL-cholesterol or increased VLDL removal by LDL receptors.

Question 21

General mechanism of action for rosuvastatin

Answer 21

competitively inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis
increase in LDL receptors, which bind and remove circulating LDL-cholesterol
Production of LDL-cholesterol decreases because of decreased production of VLDL-cholesterol or increased VLDL removal by LDL receptors.

Question 22

General mechanism of action for semaglutide

Answer 22

Increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decreases inappropriate glucagon secretion, slows gastric emptying, and increases satiety.

Question 23

General mechanism of action for simvastatin

Answer 23

competitively inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis
increase in LDL receptors, which bind and remove circulating LDL-cholesterol
Production of LDL-cholesterol decreases because of decreased production of VLDL-cholesterol or increased VLDL removal by LDL receptors.

Question 24

General mechanism of action for sitagliptin

Answer 24

inhibits the degradation of incretin hormones by DPP-4 and enhances the function of GLP-1 and GIP to increase insulin release and decrease glucagon levels in the circulation in a glucose-dependent manner.

Question 25

General mechanism of action for insulin glargine

Answer 25

promotes cellular uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, and their conversion to glycogen, triglycerides, and proteins.