In: Nursing
Question 2
Harold is a 62 year old man who was found to be suffering from depression one year after a diagnosis of heart failure. Sertraline was added to his current prescription of irbesartan.
a) Compare the mechanism of action and clinical effects of these two drugs.
b) A move to a healthy lifestyle is recommended for people with heart failure. Discuss how the adverse effects of antidepress medication may interfere with this.
The mechanism of action of sertraline is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin (5HT). Studies at clinically relevant doses in man have demonstrated that sertraline blocks the uptake of serotonin into human platelets.
Sertraline is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
Irbesartan
Mechanism Of Action
Irbesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively binding to the AT1 angiotensin II receptor found in many tissues (e.g., vascular smooth muscle, adrenal gland).
Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Irbesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).