pharma all drugs test 1

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Family: Direct sympathomimetic | Receptor: alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2 agonist | Function: Raises BP, stimulates heart, opens airways; anaphylaxis | Adverse: Tachycardia/arrhythmias | KEY: Activates almost all alpha + beta receptors

Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)

Family: Catecholamine sympathomimetic | Receptor: Mainly alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1 | Function: Strong vasoconstriction; raises BP in shock | Adverse: Ischaemia/reflex bradycardia | KEY: Strong vessel constrictor, little beta-2

Dopamine

Family: Catecholamine sympathomimetic | Receptor: Dopamine-1 → beta-1 → alpha-1 as dose rises | Function: Supports circulation/heart in shock | Adverse: Arrhythmias | KEY: Dose-dependent receptors

Dobutamine

Family: Sympathomimetic | Receptor: Mainly beta-1 agonist | Function: Makes heart contract harder; acute heart failure | Adverse: Tachycardia/arrhythmias | KEY: Mainly boosts cardiac contractility

Phenylephrine

Family: Sympathomimetic | Receptor: Alpha-1 agonist | Function: Vasoconstriction; raises BP/decongestant | Adverse: Reflex bradycardia/hypertension | KEY: Selective alpha-1

Clonidine

Family: Central sympatholytic | Receptor: Alpha-2 agonist | Function: Reduces sympathetic activity; lowers BP | Adverse: Sedation/dry mouth | KEY: Sudden withdrawal → rebound hypertension

Apraclonidine

Family: Alpha-2 agonist | Receptor: Alpha-2 | Function: Lowers pressure inside eye | Adverse: Allergic/red/itchy eye | KEY: Think clonidine for the eye

Pseudoephedrine

Family: Mixed/indirect sympathomimetic | Target: Increases adrenergic activity, especially alpha effects | Function: Nasal decongestant | Adverse: Hypertension/insomnia | KEY: Can cause urinary retention

Albuterol (Salbutamol/Ventolin)

Family: Short-acting beta-2 agonist | Receptor: Beta-2 | Function: Opens airways in asthma | Adverse: Tremor/tachycardia | KEY: Can lower blood potassium

Amphetamine

Family: Indirect sympathomimetic/stimulant | Target: Increases noradrenaline + dopamine release | Function: ADHD/narcolepsy | Adverse: Insomnia, hypertension, dependence | KEY: Strong central stimulant

Phenoxybenzamine

Family: Alpha blocker | Receptor: Irreversible alpha-1 + alpha-2 blocker | Function: Pheochromocytoma | Adverse: Orthostatic hypotension/reflex tachycardia | KEY: Alpha blockade BEFORE beta blockade

Tamsulosin

Family: Alpha blocker | Receptor: Mainly alpha-1A blocker | Function: Relaxes prostate; benign prostate enlargement | Adverse: Dizziness/abnormal ejaculation | KEY: Floppy iris syndrome

Propranolol

Family: Beta blocker | Receptor: Beta-1 + beta-2 blocker | Function: Slows heart; BP, tremor, migraine | Adverse: Bradycardia/bronchospasm | KEY: Non-selective → caution in asthma

Timolol

Family: Beta blocker | Receptor: Beta-1 + beta-2 blocker | Function: Eyedrop lowering pressure in glaucoma | Adverse: Bradycardia/bronchospasm | KEY: Eyedrop can still cause systemic beta blockade

Pilocarpine

Family: Direct cholinergic agonist | Receptor: Muscarinic agonist | Function: Increases saliva; causes miosis; glaucoma/dry mouth | Adverse: Sweating/bradycardia | KEY: Makes patient WET

Carbachol

Family: Direct cholinergic agonist | Receptor: Muscarinic + nicotinic agonist | Function: Miosis/reduces eye pressure | Adverse: Cholinergic effects: sweating, diarrhoea, bradycardia | KEY: Activates BOTH muscarinic + nicotinic receptors

Physostigmine

Family: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor | Target: Reversibly blocks acetylcholine breakdown | Function: Antimuscarinic poisoning | Adverse: Bradycardia/seizures | KEY: Crosses into the brain

Neostigmine

Family: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor | Target: Reversibly blocks acetylcholine breakdown | Function: Reverses non-depolarising muscle block; myasthenia gravis | Adverse: Bradycardia/secretions | KEY: Does NOT significantly enter brain

Pralidoxime

Family: Acetylcholinesterase reactivator | Target: Reactivates poisoned acetylcholinesterase | Function: Organophosphate poisoning | Adverse: Hypertension/weakness | KEY: Repairs enzyme; give early before “aging”

Atropine

Family: Antimuscarinic | Receptor: Muscarinic antagonist | Function: Bradycardia + organophosphate poisoning | Adverse: Dry mouth, tachycardia, urinary retention | KEY: Blocks muscarinic symptoms but does NOT repair enzyme

Ipratropium

Family: Antimuscarinic bronchodilator | Receptor: Muscarinic antagonist | Function: Opens airways; especially COPD | Adverse: Dry mouth | KEY: Inhaled; little brain penetration

Succinylcholine

Family: Depolarising neuromuscular blocker | Receptor: Nicotinic muscle receptor agonist | Function: Rapid paralysis for intubation | Adverse: Hyperkalaemia/malignant hyperthermia | KEY: Fasciculations first, then paralysis

Tubocurarine

Family: Non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker | Receptor: Nicotinic muscle antagonist | Function: Skeletal muscle paralysis | Adverse: Histamine release/hypotension | KEY: Competitive blocker; can be reversed with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Scopolamine

Family: Antimuscarinic | Receptor: Muscarinic antagonist | Function: Motion sickness | Adverse: Dry mouth/confusion | KEY: Enters brain; classic motion-sickness patch

Botulinum toxin

Family: Acetylcholine-release inhibitor | Target: Prevents presynaptic acetylcholine release | Function: Local muscle relaxation/spasticity/cosmetic uses | Adverse: Excess weakness/dysphagia | KEY: Works BEFORE acetylcholine reaches receptor

Heparin

Family: Anticoagulant | Target: Activates antithrombin → inhibits thrombin + factor Xa | Function: Prevents/treats clots | Adverse: Bleeding/HIT | KEY: Monitor aPTT; antidote = protamine

Dalteparin

Family: Low-molecular-weight heparin | Target: Antithrombin; mainly factor Xa | Function: Prevent/treat clots | Adverse: Bleeding | KEY: Less HIT than unfractionated heparin

Enoxaparin

Family: Low-molecular-weight heparin | Target: Antithrombin; mainly factor Xa | Function: Prevent/treat clots | Adverse: Bleeding | KEY: Usually no routine aPTT monitoring

Warfarin

Family: Vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant | Target: Blocks vitamin K recycling → reduces factors II, VII, IX, X | Function: Long-term anticoagulation | Adverse: Bleeding | KEY: Monitor INR; teratogenic; antidote = vitamin K

Argatroban

Family: Direct thrombin inhibitor | Target: Thrombin | Function: Anticoagulation, especially HIT | Adverse: Bleeding | KEY: Important alternative when heparin causes HIT

Aspirin

Family: Antiplatelet | Target: Irreversibly blocks COX-1 → less thromboxane | Function: Prevents platelet aggregation; MI/stroke prevention | Adverse: GI bleeding | KEY: Irreversible platelet effect

Clopidogrel

Family: Antiplatelet | Receptor: P2Y12 ADP receptor blocker | Function: Prevents platelet activation; ACS/stents | Adverse: Bleeding | KEY: Prodrug; commonly used after coronary stent

Dipyridamole

Family: Antiplatelet/vasodilator | Target: Increases platelet cyclic AMP/adenosine | Function: Stroke prevention | Adverse: Headache/hypotension | KEY: Often combined with aspirin

Abciximab

Family: Antiplatelet | Receptor: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blocker | Function: Strongly blocks final step of platelet aggregation; PCI | Adverse: Bleeding/thrombocytopenia | KEY: Antibody drug

Tirofiban

Family: Antiplatelet | Receptor: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blocker | Function: Prevents platelet aggregation in ACS/PCI | Adverse: Bleeding/thrombocytopenia | KEY: Reversible small-molecule IIb/IIIa blocker

Epoprostenol

Family: Prostacyclin drug | Receptor: Prostacyclin receptor agonist | Function: Vasodilation + inhibits platelets; pulmonary hypertension | Adverse: Hypotension/headache | KEY: Very short acting; sudden stopping can worsen pulmonary hypertension

Streptokinase

Family: Thrombolytic/fibrinolytic | Target: Activates plasminogen → plasmin | Function: Dissolves existing clots | Adverse: Major bleeding | KEY: Can cause allergic reactions because it is antigenic

Alteplase

Family: Thrombolytic | Target: Tissue plasminogen activator → plasmin | Function: Dissolves clots; selected stroke/MI/PE | Adverse: Intracranial/major bleeding | KEY: More fibrin-selective than streptokinase

Tranexamic acid

Family: Antifibrinolytic | Target: Blocks plasminogen activation | Function: Prevents clots from being broken down; reduces bleeding | Adverse: Thrombosis/seizures | KEY: Essentially opposite direction to thrombolytics

Acetazolamide

Family: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor diuretic | Target: Carbonic anhydrase in proximal tubule | Function: Diuresis; glaucoma/altitude sickness | Adverse: Metabolic acidosis | KEY: Makes urine alkaline; can cause kidney stones

Amlodipine

Family: Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker | Target: L-type calcium channels mainly in vessels | Function: Vasodilation; hypertension/angina | Adverse: Ankle oedema | KEY: Mainly acts on vessels, not heart conduction

Atenolol

Family: Beta blocker | Receptor: Mainly beta-1 blocker | Function: Slows heart; hypertension/angina | Adverse: Bradycardia/fatigue | KEY: More heart-selective than propranolol

Captopril

Family: ACE inhibitor | Target: Angiotensin-converting enzyme | Function: Vasodilation; hypertension/heart failure | Adverse: Dry cough/hyperkalaemia | KEY: Angioedema possible; contraindicated in pregnancy

Diltiazem

Family: Non-dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker | Target: L-type calcium channels in heart + vessels | Function: Slows heart; rate control/angina | Adverse: Bradycardia/heart block | KEY: Acts on BOTH heart and vessels

Digoxin

Family: Cardiac glycoside | Target: Na+/K+ ATPase; increases calcium + vagal activity | Function: Stronger contraction and slower AV conduction; heart failure/AF | Adverse: Arrhythmias | KEY: Toxicity → nausea + yellow vision; low potassium increases toxicity

Doxazosin

Family: Alpha blocker | Receptor: Alpha-1 antagonist | Function: Vasodilation + relaxes prostate; hypertension/BPH | Adverse: First-dose orthostatic hypotension | KEY: Less prostate-selective than tamsulosin

Enalapril

Family: ACE inhibitor | Target: Angiotensin-converting enzyme | Function: Hypertension/heart failure | Adverse: Dry cough/hyperkalaemia | KEY: Prodrug; angioedema + pregnancy warning

Furosemide

Family: Loop diuretic | Target: Na-K-2Cl transporter in thick ascending loop | Function: Strong diuresis; oedema/heart failure | Adverse: Hypokalaemia/dehydration | KEY: Can cause ototoxicity; increases calcium loss

Hydralazine

Family: Direct vasodilator | Target: Mainly relaxes arterioles | Function: Lowers BP; heart failure with nitrates | Adverse: Reflex tachycardia | KEY: Can cause drug-induced lupus

Hydrochlorothiazide

Family: Thiazide diuretic | Target: Na-Cl transporter in distal tubule | Function: Hypertension/mild diuresis | Adverse: Hypokalaemia | KEY: Raises calcium; can raise uric acid/glucose

Isosorbide mononitrate

Family: Nitrate | Target: Releases nitric oxide | Function: Venodilation; prevents angina | Adverse: Headache/hypotension | KEY: Long-term prevention, NOT preferred for immediate attack

Isosorbide dinitrate

Family: Nitrate | Target: Nitric oxide donor | Function: Venodilation; angina/heart failure | Adverse: Headache/hypotension | KEY: Often combined with hydralazine in heart failure

Losartan

Family: Angiotensin receptor blocker | Receptor: AT1 receptor antagonist | Function: Hypertension/heart failure | Adverse: Hyperkalaemia | KEY: Usually no ACE-inhibitor cough; avoid pregnancy

Methyldopa

Family: Central sympatholytic | Receptor: Central alpha-2 agonist after metabolism | Function: Lowers BP | Adverse: Sedation/haemolytic anaemia | KEY: Classic antihypertensive used in pregnancy

Metoprolol

Family: Beta blocker | Receptor: Mainly beta-1 blocker | Function: Slows heart; hypertension, heart failure, rate control | Adverse: Bradycardia/fatigue | KEY: More cardioselective than propranolol

Minoxidil

Family: Direct arteriolar vasodilator | Target: Opens potassium channels | Function: Severe hypertension; topical hair growth | Adverse: Fluid retention/reflex tachycardia | KEY: Hypertrichosis = excess hair growth

Sodium nitroprusside

Family: Direct vasodilator | Target: Nitric oxide donor | Function: Rapidly dilates arteries + veins; hypertensive emergency | Adverse: Severe hypotension/cyanide toxicity | KEY: Very rapid IV drug

Nifedipine

Family: Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker | Target: L-type calcium channels mainly in vessels | Function: Vasodilation; hypertension/angina | Adverse: Ankle oedema/headache | KEY: Mainly vascular, like amlodipine

Nitroglycerin (Glyceryl trinitrate)

Family: Nitrate | Target: Nitric oxide donor | Function: Venodilation; rapid relief of angina | Adverse: Headache/hypotension | KEY: Sublingual for acute attack; NEVER combine with PDE-5 erectile-dysfunction drugs

Prazosin

Family: Alpha blocker | Receptor: Alpha-1 antagonist | Function: Vasodilation; hypertension/BPH; sometimes PTSD nightmares | Adverse: First-dose syncope/orthostatic hypotension | KEY: Famous for “first-dose” effect

Spironolactone

Family: Potassium-sparing diuretic | Receptor: Aldosterone receptor antagonist | Function: Heart failure/hyperaldosteronism; retains potassium | Adverse: Hyperkalaemia/gynecomastia | KEY: Hormonal adverse effects

Torasemide (Torsemide)

Family: Loop diuretic | Target: Na-K-2Cl transporter | Function: Strong diuresis; oedema/heart failure | Adverse: Hypokalaemia/dehydration | KEY: Same family as furosemide; longer acting

Valsartan

Family: Angiotensin receptor blocker | Receptor: AT1 antagonist | Function: Hypertension/heart failure | Adverse: Hyperkalaemia | KEY: ARB → usually no dry cough; avoid pregnancy

Verapamil

Family: Non-dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker | Target: L-type calcium channels, strongly cardiac | Function: Slows AV node; arrhythmias/angina | Adverse: Bradycardia/constipation | KEY: Strongest cardiac calcium-channel blocker

Codeine

Family: Opioid analgesic | Receptor: Mainly mu-opioid agonist after conversion to morphine | Function: Pain/cough suppression | Adverse: Respiratory depression/constipation | KEY: CYP2D6 converts it to morphine → effect varies between people

Buprenorphine

Family: Opioid | Receptor: Partial mu agonist, kappa antagonist | Function: Opioid-use disorder/pain | Adverse: Respiratory depression | KEY: Very high receptor affinity; can precipitate withdrawal

Fentanyl

Family: Opioid | Receptor: Strong mu-opioid agonist | Function: Powerful analgesia/anesthesia | Adverse: Respiratory depression | KEY: Extremely potent; rapid; can cause chest-wall rigidity

Loperamide

Family: Peripheral opioid | Receptor: Peripheral mu-opioid agonist | Function: Stops diarrhoea by slowing intestine | Adverse: Constipation/ileus | KEY: Normally does NOT significantly enter brain

Methadone

Family: Opioid | Receptor: Mu-opioid agonist | Function: Opioid-use disorder/long-lasting analgesia | Adverse: Respiratory depression/QT prolongation | KEY: Very long and variable half-life

Morphine

Family: Opioid analgesic | Receptor: Mu-opioid agonist | Function: Severe pain | Adverse: Respiratory depression/constipation | KEY: Miosis + histamine release may cause hypotension

Naloxone

Family: Opioid antagonist | Receptor: Blocks opioid receptors, especially mu | Function: Reverses opioid overdose | Adverse: Acute withdrawal | KEY: Short acting → repeated doses may be needed

Pentazocine

Family: Mixed opioid agonist-antagonist | Receptor: Mainly kappa agonist with weak mu antagonist/partial activity | Function: Analgesia | Adverse: Dysphoria/psychological effects | KEY: Can precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patient

Benzocaine

Family: Ester local anaesthetic | Target: Voltage-gated sodium channels | Function: Topical numbness | Adverse: Methemoglobinaemia | KEY: Ester → allergy risk from PABA-type metabolites

Bupivacaine

Family: Amide local anaesthetic | Target: Voltage-gated sodium channels | Function: Long-lasting regional/epidural anaesthesia | Adverse: Severe cardiotoxicity/arrhythmias | KEY: Long acting; famous for cardiac toxicity

Cocaine

Family: Ester local anaesthetic + sympathomimetic | Target: Sodium channels + blocks catecholamine reuptake | Function: Topical ENT anaesthesia | Adverse: Hypertension/arrhythmias/seizures | KEY: Local anaesthetic that also causes vasoconstriction

Lidocaine

Family: Amide local anaesthetic | Target: Voltage-gated sodium channels | Function: Local anaesthesia; also class Ib antiarrhythmic | Adverse: CNS toxicity/seizures at high levels | KEY: Also treats certain ventricular arrhythmias

Mepivacaine

Family: Amide local anaesthetic | Target: Voltage-gated sodium channels | Function: Local/regional anaesthesia | Adverse: CNS/cardiac toxicity | KEY: Less vasodilation than lidocaine

Procaine

Family: Ester local anaesthetic | Target: Voltage-gated sodium channels | Function: Local anaesthesia | Adverse: Allergic reactions | KEY: Short acting; ester/PABA-type allergy

Diazepam

Family: Benzodiazepine | Receptor: Positive modulator of GABA-A receptor | Function: Anxiety, seizures, muscle relaxation, sedation | Adverse: Sedation/respiratory depression | KEY: Long acting

Halothane

Family: Inhaled general anaesthetic | Target: Multiple CNS targets | Function: Produces general anaesthesia | Adverse: Hepatotoxicity/malignant hyperthermia | KEY: “Halothane hepatitis

Ketamine

Family: Dissociative general anaesthetic | Receptor: NMDA antagonist | Function: Anaesthesia + strong analgesia | Adverse: Hallucinations/emergence reactions | KEY: Raises BP/HR and bronchodilates

Midazolam

Family: Benzodiazepine | Receptor: GABA-A positive modulator | Function: Procedural sedation/amnesia | Adverse: Respiratory depression | KEY: Short acting; strong amnesia

Nitrous oxide

Family: Inhaled anaesthetic/analgesic | Target: Mainly NMDA antagonism | Function: Analgesia + sedation | Adverse: Diffusion hypoxia/B12 inactivation with prolonged exposure | KEY: Very rapid onset/offset; weak anaesthetic

Propofol

Family: Intravenous general anaesthetic | Target: Enhances GABA-A activity | Function: Rapid induction/sedation | Adverse: Hypotension/apnoea | KEY: Very rapid recovery; antiemetic

Thiopental

Family: Barbiturate general anaesthetic | Receptor: Enhances GABA-A activity | Function: Rapid IV induction | Adverse: Respiratory/cardiovascular depression | KEY: Can precipitate acute porphyria

Alprazolam

Family: Benzodiazepine | Receptor: GABA-A positive modulator | Function: Anxiety/panic disorder | Adverse: Sedation/dependence | KEY: Withdrawal can be significant

Buspirone

Family: Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic | Receptor: 5-HT1A partial agonist | Function: Generalized anxiety | Adverse: Dizziness/nausea | KEY: Little dependence/sedation but takes time to work

Flumazenil

Family: Benzodiazepine antagonist | Receptor: Blocks benzodiazepine site on GABA-A | Function: Reverses benzodiazepines | Adverse: Seizures/acute withdrawal | KEY: Dangerous in chronic benzodiazepine users or mixed overdoses

Lorazepam

Family: Benzodiazepine | Receptor: GABA-A positive modulator | Function: Anxiety/status epilepticus/sedation | Adverse: Sedation/respiratory depression | KEY: Metabolized by glucuronidation; no important active metabolites

Phenobarbital

Family: Barbiturate | Receptor: Enhances GABA-A activity | Function: Antiseizure/sedative | Adverse: Respiratory depression/sedation | KEY: Strong liver-enzyme inducer

Triazolam

Family: Benzodiazepine | Receptor: GABA-A positive modulator | Function: Short-term insomnia | Adverse: Sedation/amnesia | KEY: Very short acting

Zolpidem

Family: Z-drug hypnotic | Receptor: GABA-A, preferentially alpha-1 containing receptors | Function: Insomnia | Adverse: Next-day sedation/complex sleep behaviours | KEY: Mainly sleep drug, not a classic benzodiazepine