Major Drug Classes in Cardiovascular and Infectious Diseases

ACE Inhibitors (ACEIs)

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Beta-Blockers (BBs)

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Aldosterone Antagonists

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Vasodilators

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Diuretics

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Positive Inotropic Agents

Major drug class used in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Cardiac Glycosides

Group of ionotropic CHF drugs (e.g., Digoxin).

Beta-Adrenergic Agonists

Group of ionotropic CHF drugs (e.g., Dobutamine).

Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Group of ionotropic CHF drugs (e.g., Milrinone).

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs

Sodium channel blockers → ↓ Phase 0 depolarization.

Class II antiarrhythmic drugs

Beta-blockers → ↓ SA node automaticity & AV conduction.

Class III antiarrhythmic drugs

Potassium channel blockers → ↑ action potential duration.

Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs

Calcium channel blockers → ↓ AV node conduction.

Class IA antiarrhythmic drugs

Moderate Na⁺ block, ↑ action potential duration.

Class IB antiarrhythmic drugs

Weak Na⁺ block, ↓ action potential duration.

Class IC antiarrhythmic drugs

Strong Na⁺ block, markedly slows conduction, minimal AP effect.

Adenosine

Other antiarrhythmic drug.

Magnesium Sulfate

Other antiarrhythmic drug.

Digoxin

Other antiarrhythmic drug.

Nitrates

Major drug class used as antianginals.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Major drug class used as antianginals.

Ranolazine

Major drug class used as antianginals.

Ivabradine

Major drug class used as antianginals.

Diuretics (antihypertensives)

Major drug class used as antihypertensives.

Sympatholytics

Major drug class used as antihypertensives.

Renin-Angiotensin inhibitors

Major drug class used as antihypertensives.

Vasodilators (antihypertensives)

Major drug class used as antihypertensives.

Calcium channel blockers (antihypertensives)

Major drug class used as antihypertensives.

High fiber diet

Diet that helps avoid hyperlipidemia drugs.

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

Fibric Acid Derivatives (Fibrates)

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

Niacin (Nicotinic Acid)

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

PCSK9 Inhibitors

Major drug class used to treat hyperlipidemia.

Statins (hyperlipidemia)

↓ LDL (major), ↑ HDL (mild), ↓ TG (mild).

Bile Acid Sequestrants (hyperlipidemia)

↓ LDL, ↑ HDL, may ↑ TG.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors (hyperlipidemia)

↓ LDL.

Fibrates (hyperlipidemia)

↓ TG (major), ↑ HDL.

Niacin (hyperlipidemia)

↑ HDL (major), ↓ LDL, ↓ TG.

PCSK9 Inhibitors (hyperlipidemia)

↓ LDL (major).

Asthma treatment

Inhaled corticosteroids, beta-2 agonists (SABA/LABA), leukotriene modifiers, mast cell stabilizers.

COPD treatment

Anticholinergics (LAMA), LABA, ICS (severe), PDE-4 inhibitors.

Antihistamines (allergic rhinitis)

H₁ blockers.

Alpha-adrenergic agonists

Decongestants.

Intranasal corticosteroids

Used to treat allergic rhinitis.

Mast cell stabilizers

Cromolyn.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Used to treat allergic rhinitis.

Decongestant

Vasoconstriction → ↓ nasal swelling.

Expectorant

Loosens/thins mucus for easier cough.

Mucolytic

Breaks mucus bonds to thin it.

Suppressant

Reduces cough reflex.

Antitussive

Central suppression of cough (e.g., codeine).

H₁ receptors

Located in smooth muscle, endothelium, CNS → Allergies.

H₂ receptors

Located in gastric parietal cells → Peptic ulcers & GERD.

Allergic rhinitis

Condition treated with antihistamines.

Urticaria

Condition treated with antihistamines (hives).

Anaphylaxis

Condition treated with antihistamines (adjunct to epinephrine).

Warfarin

Inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC1), reducing active vitamin K → ↓ synthesis of functional clotting factors II, VII, IX, X → impaired coagulation.

Thrombolytic drugs

They convert plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin in clots → promotes clot dissolution (fibrinolysis).

Anticoagulants

Treat venous thrombosis.

Antiplatelets

Treat arterial disease.

Thrombolytics

Treat both arterial and venous thrombi.

Anticoagulants drug groups

Heparins, DTIs, Factor Xa inhibitors, Warfarin.

Antiplatelets drug groups

COX inhibitors, ADP blockers, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Thrombolytics drug groups

tPA, Streptokinase, Urokinase.

Diet for hyperlipidemia

High in fiber, low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Major drug classes for hyperlipidemia

1. Statins 2. Bile acid sequestrants 3. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors 4. Fibrates 5. Niacin 6. PCSK9 inhibitors.

H₁ receptors

Found in smooth muscle, endothelium, CNS → Associated with allergic reactions.

H₂ receptors

Found in gastric parietal cells → Associated with peptic ulcer disease and GERD.

Conditions treated with antihistamines

1. Allergic Rhinitis 2. Urticaria (hives) 3. Anaphylaxis (as adjunct).

First-generation antihistamines receptor effects

1. Muscarinic receptors → anticholinergic effects 2. Alpha-adrenergic receptors → hypotension/drowsiness 3. Serotonin (5-HT) receptors → CNS effects like sedation.

Major drug classes for peptic ulcers and GERD

1. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) 2. H₂ Receptor Antagonists 3. Antacids 4. Antibiotics (for H. pylori) 5. Mucosal Protective Agents 6. Prostaglandin Analogues 7. Anticholinergics (rare).

PPIs mechanism

Inhibit the H⁺/K⁺ ATPase proton pump in gastric parietal cells.

Antiemetic drug classes

1. 5-HT₃ antagonists: chemo-induced nausea 2. D₂ antagonists: GI-related nausea 3. H₁ blockers: motion sickness 4. Anticholinergics: vertigo, motion sickness 5. Cannabinoids: chemo-induced nausea, appetite stimulation.

Drug classes for diarrhea

1. Opioid derivatives: ↓ GI motility (e.g., loperamide) 2. Adsorbents: bind toxins (e.g., kaolin-pectin) 3. Bismuth compounds: antisecretory, antimicrobial (e.g., Pepto-Bismol).

Drug classes for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

1. Aminosalicylates (5-ASA) 2. Corticosteroids 3. Immunosuppressants 4. Biologics (e.g., anti-TNF) 5. Antibiotics (for complications).

Drug classes for obesity

1. Appetite suppressants (sympathomimetics) 2. Lipase inhibitors (e.g., orlistat) 3. GLP-1 receptor agonists 4. Combination drugs (e.g., phentermine/topiramate).

Corticosteroids mechanism

Inhibit prostaglandins, that cause inflammation, which in turn produces pain and fever.

NSAIDs mechanism

Inhibit prostaglandins, that cause inflammation, which in turn produces pain and fever.

NSAIDs

↓ inflammation, ↓ pain, ↓ fever

Acetaminophen

↓ pain, ↓ fever (minimal anti-inflammatory action)

Aspirin (ASA)

↓ inflammation, ↓ pain, ↓ fever (also antiplatelet effect)

Celecoxib

A selective COX-2 inhibitor and is reversible.

Biologic therapies in RA

Given TNF-α and IL-1 inhibitors to reduce joint swelling.

Gout treatment

Involves Allopurinol (or febuxostat) to reduce uric acid synthesis or Probenecid to increase its excretion.

Symptomatic treatment of acute migraines

Uses NSAIDs and triptans.

Bactericidal drugs

Kills bacteria directly.

Bacteriostatic drugs

Inhibits bacterial growth so the immune system can eliminate the infection.

Empiric therapy

Starting antimicrobial treatment before the specific organism is identified, based on likely pathogens and clinical judgment.

Mechanisms of action for antimicrobial drugs

1. Inhibit cell wall synthesis 2. Disrupt cell membrane 3. Inhibit protein synthesis 4. Inhibit nucleic acid synthesis 5. Antimetabolite activity (folate synthesis inhibition).

Prophylactic treatment

Preventive antimicrobial therapy given before an infection occurs in high-risk situations (e.g., surgery, immunosuppression).

Major classes/groups of β-lactam antibiotics

1. Penicillins 2. Cephalosporins 3. Monobactams 4. Carbapenems.

Mechanisms of action of penicillin

1. Inhibits transpeptidase (↓ peptidoglycan cross-linking) 2. Binds to PBPs (penicillin-binding proteins) 3. Activates autolytic enzymes → cell lysis.

Therapeutic uses of penicillin G

1. Streptococcal infections 2. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) 3. Clostridial infections (e.g., gas gangrene).

Bacterial resistance mechanisms to penicillin

1. β-lactamase enzyme production 2. Altered PBPs 3. Decreased permeability/increased efflux.

Major classes of protein synthesis inhibitor antimicrobial drugs

1. Aminoglycosides 2. Tetracyclines 3. Macrolides 4. Chloramphenicol 5. Clindamycin 6. Linezolid 7. Streptogramins.

Therapeutic uses of tetracyclines

● Acne ● Chlamydia ● Rickettsial infections ● Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Therapeutic uses of aminoglycosides

● Serious aerobic Gram-negative infections (e.g., Pseudomonas) ● Used with β-lactams for synergistic effect in endocarditis.