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BNF > Top drugs > Flashcards

Top drugs Flashcards

1
Q

Acamprosate calcium

A

Sulfonamide

GABA agonist and partial glutamate antagonist

Maintenance of alcohol abstinence.

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2
Q

Acebutolol

A

Beta-blocker

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3
Q

Aceclofenac

A

COXIB (COX-2 inhibitor)

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4
Q

Acetylcysteine

A

Paracetamol antidote - binds to NAPQI, a product of paracetamol metabolism, in hepatocytes and prevents it binding to proteins and causing cellular necrosis.

Mucolytic - slufhydryl groups hydrolyse disulfide bonds with mucin to decrease viscosity.

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5
Q

Aciclovir

A

Antiviral - Inhibits viral DNA polymerase

Herpes simplex & varicella-zoster (chicken pox, shingles)

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6
Q

Albendazole

A

Anthelmintic

Inhibits tubulin polymerisation to prevent cell division.

Hookworm, pinworm etc.

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7
Q

Alendronic acid/alendronate

A

Bisphosphonate

Binds to bone hydroxyapatite crystals to reduce osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.

Osteoporosis

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8
Q

Alfacalcidol

A

Vitamin D analogue

Increases calcium levels by stimulating intestinal calcium absorption, reabsoprtion of calcium from the bone, and renal calcium reabsorption.

Hypocalcaemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism

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9
Q

Alfuzosin

A

Alpha-1 blocker

Inhibits alpha-adrenergic receptor in the lower urinary tract leading to smooth muscle relaxation on the prostate and bladder.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

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10
Q

Aliskiren

A

Renin inhibitor/anti-hypertensive

Binds to renin, preventing it from converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.

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11
Q

Allopurinol

A

Xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Inhibits uric acid production to decrease levels.

Gout prophylaxis

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12
Q

Alogliptin

A

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitor

Inhibits DPP-4 breakdown of incretins such as GIP and GLP-1 which stimulate insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM)

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13
Q

Alprostadil

A

Prostaglandin (PGE1) analogue

Binds to PGE receptor which activates adenylyl cyclase –> increases cAMP –> decreases calcium –> relaxes smooth muscle in the cavernosa (erectile tissue) and vasodilation –> erection.

Erectile dysfunction

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14
Q

Alteplase

A

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).

Activates plasminogen to form plasmin which degrades fibrin to break up thrombi.

MI, PE, stroke.

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15
Q

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate

A

Metal ion / topical antiperspirant

Precipitates with mucopolysaccharides, damaging epithelial cells along the lumen of the duct and forms a plug which blocks sweat output.

Hyperhidrosis.

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16
Q

Alverine citrate

A

Antispasmodic

Inhibits calcium influx thus relaxes smooth muscle in the gut and uterus.

Dysmennorhoea, gut disorders such as IBS and diverticular disease.

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17
Q

Aminosalycilic acid.

A

Aminosalycilate

Inhibits folic acid production in myobacterium tuberculosis to have a bacteriostatic effect.

TB

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18
Q

Amiodarone hydrochloride

A

Antiarrythmatic (class III)

Blocks potassium currents responsible for cardiomyocyte repolarisation during the phase 3 of the cardiac action potential, thus increasing the duration of the action potential and effective refractory period for myocytes.

Various arrythmias e.g., AF, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias.

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19
Q

Amisulpride

A

Antipsychotic

Selective dopamine antagonist with high affinity for mesolimbic dopamine D2 and D3 receptors.

Psychosis and schizophrenia (with predominantly negative symptoms).

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20
Q

Amphotericin B

A

Antifungal which binds to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, which leads to the formation of pores, ion leakage and ultimately fungal cell death.

Used in severe or systemic fungal infections e.g., meningitis, pneumonia.

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21
Q

Amoxicillin

A

Penicillin antibiotic which exerts bactericidal activity via inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding one or more of the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs).

CAP
Susceptible infections

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22
Q

Ampicillin

A

Penicillin antibiotic which exerts bactericidal activity via inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding one or more of the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs).

Susceptible infections

23
Q

Anastrozole

A

Aromatase inhibitor which inhibits oestrogen production.

Oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

24
Q

Anidulafungin

A

Echinocandin antifungal which inhibit the formation of 1,3-β-D-glucan, a key component of fungal cell walls.

Used in invasive candidiasis.

25
Q

Artemether (and lumefantrine

A

Antimalarial

Inhibits protein and nucleic acid synthesis in the erythrocytic stages.

Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria, treatment of chloroquine-resistant non-falciparum malaria.

26
Q

Apixaban

A

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) - direct, reversible, and highly selective inhibitor of factor Xa (FXa).

Treatment/prophylaxis of PE/DVT

27
Q

Atorvastatin

A

Statin (long-acting i.e., can take any time)

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, mainly in the liver.

CVD prevention.
Hypercholesteremia

28
Q

Beclomethasone

A

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)

Inhibits the expression of genes that encode pro-inflammatory factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules, that are activated during the chronic inflammatory process.

Asthma, COPD.

29
Q

Bisoprolol

A

Beta-blocker - cardioselective(beta-1 adrenergic antagonist).

Inhibit effect of adrenaline and NA at beta-1 receptors to decrease HR and contractility and decrease BP.

Hypertension, HF, angina

30
Q

Citalopram

A

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Blocks the reuptake of serotonin by the serotonin transporter (SERT) protein, a type of monomine transporter, from the synaptic cleft.

Depression, anxiety.

31
Q

Co-careldopa

A

Levodopa (dopamine precursor) + carbidopa (DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor)

Carbidopa prevents the conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery, which increases neuronal levodopa availability and reduces off target side effects of levodopa.

Parkinsons

32
Q

Codeine

A

Opioid & cough suppressant

Partial metabolism to morphine which binds to mu-opioid receptor within the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to produce analgesic effect.

Codeine also suppresses the cough reflex through a direct effect on the cough center in the medulla

Pain, cough.

33
Q

Cyclizine

A

Anti-emetic

Blocks H1 histamine receptors in the vomiting centre.

Nausea and vomiting in travel sickness, labyrinth disorders, palliative care.

34
Q

Dexamethasone

A

Steroid, anti-emetic, immunosuppressant.

35
Q

Diazepam

A

Benzodiazepine (long-acting)

Binding to the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor to enhance the affinity of channel opening by the agonist GABA , which leads to central nervous system depression

Anxiety, sedation, muscle spasms

36
Q

Docusate sodium

A

Stool softener laxative.

Reduces the surface tension of the oil and water interface within the stool, facilitating the passage of water and lipids into the stool mass.

Constipation

37
Q

Domperidone

A

Anti-emetic / Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist.

Blocks dopamine receptors in chemoreceptor trigger zone (just outside BBB) to reduce nausea and in the gut to increase oesophageal and gastric peristalsis (makes food move through gut faster and reduce vomiting).

Nausea and vomiting, GI pain in palliative care.

38
Q

Duloxetine

A

Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Inhibits human serotonin transporter (SERT) and noradrenaline transporter (NAT), the membrane transport proteins that are responsible for the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic nerve terminal.

Depression, GAD, diabetic neuropathy (pain), stress urinary incontinence.

39
Q

Edoxaban

A

Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)

Direct and reversible inhibitor of activated factor X (factor Xa), which prevents conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and prolongs clotting time, thereby reducing the risk of thrombus formation.

Treatment/prevention of DVT or PE, prevention of stroke.

40
Q

Apomorphine

A

Dopamine agonist (non-ergotine i.e.,e not associated with heart/lung issues)

Crosses BBB and activate to D2, D3, and D5 receptors in the region of the brain involved in motor control to reduce Parkinson’s symptoms. Also binds to CTZ which can lead to vomiting.

“Off” episodes in Parkinson’s disease,

41
Q

Aprepitant

A

Anti-emetic / NK1 inhibitor

Blocks action of substance P (a neurokinin) at NK-1 receptors in the vomiting centre.

Adjunct treatment to chemo-induced N&V

42
Q

Aripiprazole

A

Antipsychotic - partial dopamine agonist

Stimulates D2 receptors but at a lower level than dopamine, thus partially stimulating and inhibiting the D2 receptors.

Pyshcosis/schizophrenia, Mania, Adjunct treatment with other antipsychotics to reverse drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia.

43
Q

Asenapine

A

2nd gen antipsychotic.

Serotonin (5HT2A) and dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist.

Moderate-severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

44
Q

Aspirin

A

NSAID and anti-platelet. Acetylsalicylic acid.

Inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) to prevent prostaglandin production, thus reducing inflammation.
Inhibits COX-1 to prevent conversion of arachidonic acid to thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a potent inducer of platelet aggregation.

Secondary prevention of CVD, DVT, and PE. Treatment of stroke, MI, TIA. Pain. Pyrexia.

45
Q

Atenolol

A

Cardio-selective beta blocker / beta-1 adrenergic antagonist

Selectively binds to the β-1 adrenergic receptors in vascular smooth muscle and the heart. This blocks the positive inotropic and chronotropic actions initiated by endogenous catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Hypertension. Angina. Arrythmias. Migraines.

46
Q

Atogepant

A

Calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor.

CGRP is raised in migraines. It can cause dilation of cerebral and dural blood vessels, release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells, and transmission of nociceptive information from intracranial blood vessels to the nervous system. CGRP inhibitors prevent onset of migraines.

Migraine prophylaxis.

47
Q

Atomoxetine

A

Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.

Binds to NET on presynaptic membrane of pFC and increases noradrenaline in synaptic cleft of neurones.

ADHD

48
Q

Atovaquone

A

Anti-protozoal.

Inhibits mitochondrial electron transport chain leading to inhibition of nucleic acid, ATP, pyrimidine, and purine synthesis.

Used with proguanil for prophylaxis of falciparum malaria, and treatment of non-falciparum and falciparum malaria. Treatment and prophylaxis of pneumocystis pneumonia.

49
Q

Atropine

A

Antimuscarinic/anticholinergic.

Blocks action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors.

Treatment of bradycardia due to MI or overdose/overuse of beta-blockers.
Sublingual administration of eyedrops for treatment of hypersalivation.

50
Q

Avanafil

A

PDE5 inhibitor

Inhibits phosphodiesterase-5, preventing the degradation of cGMP. The increased levels of cGMP causes vasodilation, resulting in an increased blood flow in the penis.

Erectile dysfunction.

51
Q

Azathioprine

A

Immunosuppressant

Prodrug of Mercaptopurine which is converted into 6-thioguanine. This forms a false purine nucleotide which is incorporated into DNA to inhibit DNA replication and cell proliferation of B and T cells.

Croh’s. RA. Suppression of transplant rejection.

52
Q

Azithryomycin

A

Macrolide antibiotic

Bind to 50s subunit of bacterial ribosome to prevent addition of amino acids by tRNA thus inhibiting peptide chain/protein synthesis.

Diptheria. Streptococcal infections. Chlamydia. Gonorrhoea. Lyme disease. Typhoid. CAP.

53
Q

Aztreonam

A

Monocylic beta-lactam (Monobactam) antibiotic.

Binds to PBP3 to inhibit the final stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis.

Gram-negative aerobic bacteria.

BNF (2 decks)

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