Angiotensin II receptor blockers reduce the progression of renal disease in patients with diabetic nephropathy, and reduce cerebrovascular and ischaemic heart disease mortality in hypertensive patients. Category Examples Nota bene Angiotensin II receptor blockers Losartan, valsartan, and candesartan Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) + Losartan is…
Inotropes and vasopressors are used critically ill patients with shock or severe hypotension in order to restore perfusion and maintain blood pressure. Category Function Examples Vasopressors Increase systemic vascular resistance (SVR) by vasoconstriction Noradrenaline, adrenaline, phenylephrine, vasopressin, and dopamine Inotropes Increase cardiac…
Beta-blockers are adrenergic antagonists that are a staple in the inpatient and outpatient settings. outpatient settings. Classification of beta blockers Category Examples Nota bene Cardioselective beta-blockers (β-2 blockers) Atenolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, metoprolol, and nevibolol Preferred in patients with asthma or…
Nitrates are drugs that are used for their vasodilating effects. Category Examples Nitrates Nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate Use cases in heart failure Use case Nitates Nota bene Inpatient Nitroglyceride Emergency Nitroprusside Outpatient (long-acting) Isosorbide Given in combination with…
Loop diuretics are a potent class of diuretics that are used for volume depletion in patients with oedema. Category Examples Loop diuretics Furosemide and bumetanide
Anti-platelet drugs prevent arterial thrombosis by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Classification according to mechanism of action Mechanism of action Examples Irreversible COX inhibition Aspirin Irreversible ADP (P2Y12) receptor blockers Clopidogrel and prasugrel Reversible ADP (P2Y12) receptor blockers Ticagrelor GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors Abciximab, eptifibatide,…
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely prescribed because they are renal- and cardioprotective. Category Examples ACE inhibitors captopril, lisinopril, and enalapril
Centrally acting antihypertensives lower blood pressure by reducing sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system via α2-adrenergic receptors and/or imidazoline receptors. Classification Category Examples α2-adrenergic receptors Clonidine and methyldopa Imidazoline receptor antagonists Moxonidine and rilmenidine
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…