Pharmacology Lecture Review: Comprehensive Systems Summary

A vocabulary-style flashcard set covering cardiovascular, hematologic, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, and anti-infective pharmacology based on lecture notes.

Calcium Antagonists

Drugs that produce vasodilation by blocking calcium channels and decreasing vascular muscle tone.

Cardiotonics

Pharmacological agents that improve cardiac function with a lower consumption of oxygen.

Antihypertensives

A therapeutic class of drugs whose primary function is to decrease blood pressure.

ACE Inhibitors (IECA)

Drugs that act by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme to decrease blood pressure.

Antianginals

Medications used specifically to alleviate the pain caused by angina pectoris.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARA II)

Drugs that block the action of angiotensin II specifically at the AT1 receptor.

Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System (RAAS)

The primary physiological system responsible for regulating arterial blood pressure.

Vasopressin

A hormone that contributes to increased blood pressure by favoring water retention in the kidneys.

Angiotensin II

A potent peptide that causes intense vasoconstriction in the arterioles.

Digoxin

A specific example of a cardiotonic glycoside used in heart failure.

Beta-blockers

In the context of angina, these drugs reduce the heart rate and the cardiac demand for oxygen.

Aldosterone

A hormone that directly stimulates the retention of sodium within the kidneys.

Hemostasis

The physiological process that maintains blood fluidity and halts bleeding through vasospasm, platelet aggregation, and coagulation.

Fibrinolytics

Antithrombotic drugs, such as streptokinase, that act by degrading fibrin to dissolve existing thrombi.

Nitric Oxide (NO)

A factor secreted by the intact endothelium that inhibits platelet aggregation.

Platelet Antiaggregants

Medications, such as acetylsalicylic acid, that prevent platelets from adhering to one another.

Thromboxane A2 (TxA2)

A mediator that promotes platelet aggregation.

Heparin

An anticoagulant that works by potentiating the action of Antithrombin III.

Warfarin

An oral anticoagulant that acts as a Vitamin K antagonist.

Vitamin K

The specific substance used as an antidote for Warfarin overdose.

Bronchodilators

Farms used to revert bronchospasm and facilitate breathing by dilating the bronchi.

Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor ($\beta_{2}$)

The receptor activated by noradrenaline or specific agonists to produce bronchodilation.

AMPc (Cyclic AMP)

The intracellular messenger that increases following $\beta_{2}$ activation to relax bronchial smooth muscle.

SABA

Short-acting $\beta_{2}$ agonists, such as Salbutamol, which typically last between $3$ to $5$ hours.

LABA

Long-acting $\beta_{2}$ agonists, such as Salmeterol or Formoterol, used for prolonged maintenance.

Expectorants

Drugs that facilitate the expulsion of bronchial secretions by increasing their volume.

Mucolytics

Agents like acetylcysteine that fluidize mucus to facilitate its elimination.

Antitussives

Drugs like codeine that suppress the cough reflex by acting on the central or peripheral nervous system.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (IBP)

Drugs like Omeprazole that irreversibly inhibit the $H^{+}/K^{+}-\text{ATPasa}$ enzyme in parietal cells.

Ranitidine

An $H_{2}$ antagonist that blocks histamine signals to reduce the production of stomach acid.

Bicarbonate

A natural protective factor of the gastric mucosa that neutralizes acid.

Misoprostol

A drug that increases the natural defenses of the stomach (mucus and bicarbonate) while inhibiting gastrin.

Sucralfate

A mucosal protector composed of a complex of sucrose and sulfated polyaluminum hydroxide.

Helicobacter pylori

The primary bacterium associated with the development of peptic ulcers.

Bismuth Salts

Agents used against H. pylori that may cause side effects like black tongue or dark stools.

Diabetes Mellitus

A condition characterized by the body's inability to regulate plasma glucose levels.

Metformin

A biguanide that reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis to lower blood sugar.

Sulfonylureas

Diabetes medications that stimulate insulin secretion and commonly list hypoglycemia as a side effect.

Glucocorticoids

Anti-inflammatory steroids, such as Dexamethasone, that inhibit phospholipase $A_{2}$.

Bactericidal

Antibiotics characterized by their ability to actively destroy or kill bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, that act by inhibiting the growth of bacteria rather than killing them directly.

Beta-lactams

A group of antibiotics, including penicillins, that inhibit the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

Aminoglycosides

A class of antibiotics, including gentamicin, known for potential nefrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

Antimicrobial Resistance

The capacity of a microorganism to evade the effects of a pharmacological drug.