Dr Jeffrey Kalei

Statins inhibit the action of HMG-CoA reductase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in hepatic cholesterol synthesis. They are usually taken at night since this is when the majority of cholesterol synthesis takes place. The goal of treatment with statins is to reduced…

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) inhibit L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. Classification Classification Effect Examples Adverse effects Dihydropyridine CCBs Primarily act on vascular smooth muscles to cause vasodilation Amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine, nicardipine, clevidipine, and nimodipine Reflex tachycardia, headache,…

Alpha blockers are mainly used to treat pheochromocytoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They can also be used for severe hypertension. They have no significant contraindications. Indications Indications Examples Mechanism BPH Tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin, and silodosin Relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder neck…

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are diuretics that reduce the reabsorption of sodium and bicarbonate in the proximal tubule. They are mainly used to lower intracranial and intraocular pressure. Category Examples Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors Acetazolamide, dorzolamide, and methazolamide

Thiazide diuretics inhibit sodium reabsorption at the distal convoluted tubule by blocking the NaCl symporter. Category Category Examples Thiazide-like diuretics Indapamide, bendroflumethiazide (bendrofluazide), and chlorthalidone Thiazides Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and metozalone

Overview Acetylcholine (Ach)is the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system. It mainly works on muscarinic receptors (M1-5) in parasympathetic organs and nicotinic receptors (Nm and Nn) on autonomic ganglia and the neuromuscular junction. Drugs targets in cholinergic transmission Step Drug Target Examples Synthesis…

Adrenergic drugs are medications that act on adrenergic (adreno-) receptors. Adrenoreceptors are normally stimulated by adrenaline and noradrenaline. Adrenoreceptors and their effects Receptor Main organ Main Effect Mechanism α1 Blood vessels Smooth muscle contraction, vasoconstriction, and mydriasis Gq → ↑IP3/DAG →…

Overview Pharmacodynamics is the study of what a drug does to the body. It examines molecular, biochemical, physiological, and clinical effects. All drugs act by interacting with biological targets: receptors, enzymes, ion channels, transporters, DNA/RNA, and signalling proteins. It is derived from…

Overview Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of what the body does to a drug over time. Four major processes. Letter Process Definition A Absorption Entry of drug into bloodstream D Distribution Spread of the drug through the body compartments M Metabolism…