Pharm: SIMPLIFIED cardiac meds

A simplified/easier to remember info about cardiac meds, use other for more detailed descriptions

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide ANP stimulated by

increased blood volume and increased BP

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide ANP MOA

Acts on atrial sensors + collecting ducts; inhibits Na⁺ reabsorption (increase loss of Na) → water loss (increased H2O loss)

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide ANP desired effect

decrease volume and decrease BP

ANP memory trick

atria say NOPE to Na

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): Stimulated by

increased osmolarity of the blood

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): MOA

Hypothalamus → pituitary release; acts on tubules to retain water (slides say Na⁺) → ↑ water retention

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): desired effect

concentrated urine increase volume

prevents loss of H2O from kidneys

ADH memory trick for adding water back to the bloodstream.

Add Da H2O

Aldosterone: stimulated by

Low Na in ECF

High Na in urine

Aldosterone: MOA

Acts on nephron tubules; prevents Na⁺ loss → water follows

Aldosterone: desired effect

↑ Na⁺ & water retention

Aldosterone memory trick for preventing Na⁺ loss from kidneys

salt saver

Loop Diuretic examples

Furosemide, Torsemide

Loop Diuretic: site

Loop of Henle (strong action)

Loop Diuretic: MOA

Blocks Na⁺/Cl⁻ reabsorption; ↑ prostaglandins → vasodilation; ↓ preload/CVP

Loop Diuretic: risk

Hypokalemia

Loop Diuretic memory for massive loss of Na⁺, Cl⁻, water, and K⁺

Loses everything

Osmotic Diuretic example

Mannitol

Osmotic Diuretic: site

proximal tubule and loop

Osmotic Diuretic: MOA

↑ osmotic pressure → pulls water into tubules; inhibits water reabsorption; expands ECF first

Osmotic Diuretic: risk

renal disease and pulmonary edema

Osmotic Diuretic memory for mannitol pulling water into the tubules

water magnet

Potassium (K) Sparing Diuretics

K sparing diuretic site

Collecting ducts and convoluted tubules

K sparing diuretic MOA

Blocks aldosterone → ↓ Na⁺/water reabsorption; retains K⁺

K sparing diuretic risk

hyperkalemia and endocrine effects

K sparing diuretic memory trick

SPARES potassium

Thiazide Diuretic example

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT)

Thiazide Diuretic site

Distal Tubule

Thiazide Diuretic MOA

Blocks Na⁺/Cl⁻/K⁺ reabsorption; relaxes arterioles → ↓ PVR; ↓ preload/afterload

Thiazide Diuretic risks

Electrolyte imbalance and renal failure

Thiazide Diuretic memory for reducing volume and relaxing arterioles

thins the pressure

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE) example

Lisinopril, Enalapril (PRIL)

ACE inhibitors MOA

Block conversion to angiotensin II → ↓ vasoconstriction + ↓ aldosterone → ↓ BP

ACE inhibitor SE

dry cough, first dose hypotension

ACE inhibitor memory trick for common side effect

A Cough Expected

Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs) example

Losartan, Valsartan

ARB MOA

Block angiotensin II receptors → ↓ vasoconstriction + ↓ aldosterone

ARB SE

No cough

ARB memory trick

no cough blockers

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) examples

Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil, Diltiazem

CCB indications

HTN, SVT, angina

CCB MOA

Block Ca²⁺ entry → relax vessels; dilate coronaries; slow SA/AV conduction (non DHPs)

CCB memory trick

calm the calcium

Vasodilators example

hydralazine and minoxidil

Vasodilators MOA

Direct vasodilation → ↓ SVR → ↓ BP

Vasodilators Indications

HTN

Vascular diseases

Vasodilators memory trick Hydralazine

Hydra opens vessels

Na channel blockers example

Lidocaine, Quinidine, Phenytoin

Na channel blocker MOA

slow conduction velocity

Na channel blocker memory for blockers slow cardiac conduction velocity

slow the beat

K (potassium) channel blockers example

Amiodarone

K channel blockers MOA

Prolong action potential and refractory period

K channel blockers memory for prolong the action potential and refractory period

A-long-iodarone

K channel blocker: adenosine indication

life-threating SVT, VF, hemodynamically unstable Vtach.

K channel blocker: adenosine MOA

Blocks K⁺ repolarization; ↑ refractory period; used for SVT/VF/unstable VT

K channel blocker: adenosine memory trick blocks K⁺ repolarization… increases refractory periods… prevent abnormal rhythms

brief flatline reset

Digoxin MOA

↑ contractility; ↓ conduction; prolongs refractory period; hold HR < 60

Digoxin SE

bradycardia, vision halos

Digoxin memory trick Increase myocardial contractility… decreases rate of electrical conduction

DIGs deeper squeeze

Catecholamines (Epi, dopamine, dobutamine) MOA

↑ HR, ↑ contractility; vasoconstriction; renal dilation (low dose dopamine)

Catecholamines memory trick

crisis kick starters

Nitrates (Nitroglycerin) MOA

Dilate coronary arteries → ↑ O₂ to ischemic tissue; risk of hypotension & reflex tachycardia

Nitrates (Nitroglycerin) memory

Nice wide arteries

Heparin/Enoxaparin MOA

Turns off clotting factors II, X, IX; LMWH targets factor X

Heparin/Enoxaparin memory

Helps stop clots fast

Warfarin MOA

Inhibits vitamin K–dependent factors II, VII, IX, X; INR monitoring; antidote = vitamin K

Warfarin memory

WAR on vitamin K

DOACs example

Apixaban and Rivaroxaban

DOACs MOA

inhibit factor Xa

DOACs memory

X-factor ban

Antiplatelets examples

Aspirin and Clopidogrel

Antiplatelets MOA

Prevent platelet adhesion; block COX pathway → ↓ aggregation

Antiplatelets memory for aspirin

anti stick

Thrombolytics example

Alteplase/tPA

Thrombolytics MOA

Converts plasminogen → plasmin → dissolves clots; high hemorrhage risk

Thrombolytics memory Activates plasminogen to plasmin & lyses thrombi.

Tear Plugs (clots) Apart