Drug Classes
ACE inhibitors are used to treat this common condition.
What is hypertension?
ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels by preventing the formation of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
This drug class is contraindicated in pregnancy.
What are ACE inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers)?
These drugs can harm fetal kidney development and cause birth defects.
A common side effect of ACE inhibitors is this.
What is a dry cough?
ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels, which can irritate the respiratory tract, causing a persistent dry cough.
What is the difference between the diuretics Spironolaction (Aldactone) and Furosemide (Lasix)?
What is Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic. Furosemide is a Loop Diuretic.
Patients on diuretics should monitor for this common electrolyte imbalance.
What is hypokalemia?
Diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to weakness or arrhythmias if not corrected.
Beta-blockers commonly end in this suffix.
What is "-lol"?
Most beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol) have the suffix "-lol," which helps identify this drug class. They block beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
Angioedema is a serious side effect of these drugs.
What are ACE inhibitors?
ACE inhibitors can increase bradykinin levels, causing life-threatening swelling of the face, throat, or tongue.
Statins may lead to this serious muscle condition.
What is rhabdomyolysis?
Statins can cause muscle breakdown, leading to rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition characterized by muscle pain and dark urine.
ACE inhibitors work by blocking this enzyme.
What is angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)?
ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. Blocking this enzyme reduces vasoconstriction and lowers blood pressure.
It is important to monitor drug levels on this Cardiac Glycoside in order to prevent toxicity.
What is Digoxin.
This class of drugs inhibits sodium reabsorption in the kidney.
What are diuretics?
Diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide block sodium reabsorption, promoting water excretion to reduce fluid overload and lower blood pressure.
This drug class may interact with grapefruit juice.
What are calcium channel blockers and/or statins?
Grapefruit juice inhibits enzymes that metabolize calcium channel blockers, increasing drug levels and side effects.
Statins: Increased risk of muscle pain, liver damage, and rhabdomyolysis.
Diuretics may cause this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hypokalemia?
Diuretics like loop and thiazide diuretics increase potassium excretion in urine, leading to low potassium levels.
Beta-blockers decrease heart rate by acting on this system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
Beta-blockers block beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing the SNS's stimulatory effects on the heart and lowering heart rate.
Statins should be taken at this time of day.
What is at night?
Cholesterol synthesis peaks during nighttime, making statins most effective when taken in the evening.
Name the Five Classifications of First Line Antihypertensive Drugs
What is Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB), Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB), Diuretics (more specifically Thiazide Diuretics)
This class of medication should be avoided in patients with bradycardia.
What are beta-blockers?
Beta-blockers slow heart rate further, which may exacerbate bradycardia.
Patients that are taking a high dose of statin medication complain of this common side effect?
What is muscle pain and tenderness
Calcium channel blockers target this part of cardiac physiology.
What is calcium influx into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells?
By inhibiting calcium entry, these drugs relax blood vessels and decrease cardiac workload.
Explain why patients should not stop beta-blockers suddenly.
What is to avoid rebound hypertension or tachycardia?
Sudden withdrawal can cause a rebound SNS effect, leading to dangerously high blood pressure or rapid heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers are divided into these two types.
What are dihydropyridines and non-dihydropyridines?
Dihydropyridines (e.g., amlodipine) primarily act on vascular smooth muscle, while non-dihydropyridines (e.g., verapamil) affect the heart and vascular smooth muscle.
Digoxin toxicity can occur in patients with low levels of this.
What is potassium?
Low potassium enhances digoxin’s effect on the heart, increasing the risk of toxicity.
This drug class may cause peripheral edema.
What are calcium channel blockers?
Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine cause vasodilation, which can increase capillary pressure and lead to fluid leakage into tissues.
Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting this enzyme.
What is HMG-CoA reductase?
Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis, lowering LDL levels.
Patients with heart failure should monitor for this sign of fluid retention.
What is swelling in the feet or legs, such as sudden weight gain or edema?
Fluid retention indicates worsening heart failure, requiring prompt medical attention.