Question

Give the function for each type of medication and indicate when it would be used:

thrombolytics, statins,

blood thinners, vasodilators, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, alpha and beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,

nitroglycerin, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, digitalis/digoxin

Answer 1

1)Thrombolytics-Thrombolysis ,also known as thrombolytic therapy,is a treatment to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels,improve blood flow,and prevent damage to tissues and organs.

Indications-Fibrinolytic therapy is used the treatment of a ST segment elevation myocardial infraction (STEMI),acute stroke and other less common indications such as pulmonary embolism and acute deep venous thrombosis.

2) Statins-Statins is aclass of drugs that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver and also it helps to prevent atherosclerosis,or heart disease.They block an enzyme called HMG CoA Reductase that the liver uses to make cholesterol.

Indications-Statins are indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol,LDL cholestrol,apolipoprotein B and triglycerides;and to increase HDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia.

3) Blood thinners-Blood thinners are medications taken orally or intravenously to prevent blood clot.Blood clots can stop the flow of blood to the heart,brain or lungs.They can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Indications-For people with Afib,prosthetic heart valves,history of heart attack,and to prevent deep-vein thrombosis(DVT) and pulmonary embolism,

4) Vasodilators-Vasodilators are medications that open (dilate)blood vessels.They affect the muscles in the walls of arteries and veins,preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing.As a result ,blood flows more easily through vessels.

Indications-Vasodilators are useful in treating a variety of medical conditions ,most commonly systemic hypertension.Other diseases includes myocardial infraction (both ST segement elevation and non -STsegement elevation) angina ,heart failure,stroke,chronic kidney disease preeclampsia,hypertensive emergency.

5) Diuretics-Diuretics,also called water pills,are medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine.There are three types of prescription diuretics.They are often prescribed to help treat high blood pressure ,but they are used for other conditions as well.

Indications-Loop diuretics are mainly used for oedematous disorders (i.e.,cardiac failure,nephrotic syndrome)and for blood pressure and volume control in renal disease;thiazides and related agents are among the most prescribed drugs for hypertension treatment.

6) ACE Inhibitors -Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are medications that slow (inhibit)the activity of enzyme ACE,which decreases the production of angiotensin II.As a result, blood vessels enlarge or dilate, and blood pressure is reduced.

Indications- When ACE inhibitors are used,in addition to high blood pressure ,ACE inhibitors prevent,treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as Coronary artery disease.Heart failure,diabetes.

7)Alpha and Beta blockers-Alpha and Beta dual receptor blockers are a subclass of beta blockers which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure (BP).Drugs in this class include carvedilol,labetalol and dilevalol.

Indications- indications includes Angina Pectoris,Atrial fibrillation,cardiac arrhythmia,congestive heart failure,essential tremor.

8)Calcium channel blockers -Calcium channel blockers are prescription medications that relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while also reducing the heart 's workload.

Indications-The most common indications for calcium channel blockers are hypertension,angina,and supraventricular arrhythmias.Calcium channel blockers are also beneficial in the treatment of cardiomyopathy,thromboangitis obliterans,Raynaud's phenomenon and cluster headaches.

9)Nitroglycerin -Nitroglycerin belongs to the group of medicines called nitrates.It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing it's workload.

Indications-Nitroglycerin indications include chest pain or discomfort associated with angina pectoris or suspected acute myocardial infraction,as well as pulmonary edema with hypertension.

10) Anticoagulants -Anticoagulants achieve their effect by supressing the synthesis or function of various clotting factors that are normally present in the blood .Such drugs are often used to prevent the formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the veins or arteries or the enlargements of a clot that is circulating in the bloodstream.

Indications-Anticoagulant is an important component of the management strategy for several common medical conditions .It is indicated for the prevention of recurrent thrombosis in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,and ischemic stroke.

11) Antiplatelets-An antiplatelet drug also known as a platelet agglutinnation inhibitor or platelet aggregation inhibitor,is a member of a class pharmaceuticals that decrease platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus formation.They are effective in the arterial circulation,where anticoagulants have little effect.

Indications-Stroke with or without atrial fibrillation,any heart surgery (especially prosthetic replacement heart valve)Coronary Heart Disease such as stable angina and heart attack,patient with coronay stent,Peripheral Vascular Disease.

12)Digitalis/Digoxin-Digitalis compounds such as Digoxin,are useful for reducing ventricular rate when it is being driven by a high atrial rate.The mechanism of this beneficial effect of digoxin is its ability to activate vagal efferent nerves to the heart (parasympathomimetic effect).

Indications-Digoxin and digitalis are cardiac glycosides that are derived from the same plant,the Foxglove ,used to treat adults with mild to moderate congestive heart failure and to treat abnormally rapid atrial rhythms(atrial fibrillation,atrial flutter,atrial tachy cardia).