Lecture Notes Flashcards: Pharmacology – Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, and More

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key drug classes, mechanisms, adverse effects, antidotes, and safety considerations from the lecture notes.

ACE inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), reducing Angiotensin II production to cause vasodilation, lower blood pressure, and decrease aldosterone; examples include lisinopril, enalapril, captopril.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Enzyme that converts angiotensin I to the active angiotensin II; inhibition lowers Ang II production and lowers BP.

Angiotensin II (Ang II)

Potent vasoconstrictor that stimulates aldosterone release; its production is reduced by ACE inhibitors.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Hormonal system regulating blood pressure and fluid balance; target of ACE inhibitors and ARBs.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels, leading to decreased vascular resistance and lower blood pressure.

Hyperkalemia

Elevated blood potassium levels; a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and potassium-sparing diuretics.

Angioedema

Swelling of deeper layers of skin, often around the lips/tacial area; can be life-threatening and is a potential adverse effect of ACE inhibitors.

Dry cough (bradykinin)

Cough caused by increased bradykinin with ACE inhibitors.

First-dose hypotension

Significant drop in blood pressure after the initial dose of certain antihypertensives, especially ACE inhibitors.

Pregnancy contraindication (ACE inhibitors)

ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk to fetal development.

Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure; example of ACE inhibitors.

Enalapril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure; example of ACE inhibitors.

Captopril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure; example of ACE inhibitors.

ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers)

Drugs that block Ang II receptors in vessels and adrenal gland to cause vasodilation and reduced aldosterone; alternatives to ACE inhibitors.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Block Ang II receptors, preventing Ang II effects without increasing bradykinin.

Losartan

ARB used to treat hypertension and protect renal function in diabetic nephropathy; example ARB.

Valsartan

ARB used to treat hypertension; example ARB.

Cough risk with ARBs vs ACE inhibitors

ARBs have a lower risk of cough and angioedema compared with ACE inhibitors.

Beta blockers

Drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors to reduce heart rate and contractility; can be β1-selective or nonselective.

Metoprolol

β1-selective beta blocker; reduces heart rate and contractility with less bronchoconstriction risk in asthma/COPD than nonselective agents.

Propranolol

Nonselective beta blocker (β1 and β2) that can cause bronchoconstriction in susceptible patients.

Atenolol

β1-selective beta blocker used to lower heart rate and blood pressure.

β1 receptors

Receptors in the heart; activation increases heart rate and contractility; blockade reduces HR and contractility.

β2 receptors

Receptors in smooth muscle (including bronchial smooth muscle); blockade (nonselective) can cause bronchoconstriction.

Nonselective beta blockers

Beta blockers that block both β1 and β2 receptors, potentially causing bronchospasm in asthma/COPD.

Glucagon (antidote for overdose)

Hormone used as an antidote for beta blocker overdose to increase heart contractility via cAMP.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

Drugs that block L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle and myocardium, causing vasodilation; some also decrease heart rate.

Amlodipine

Dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blocker; causes vasodilation with a lower risk of bradycardia.

Diltiazem

Non-DHP calcium channel blocker; reduces heart rate and AV conduction in addition to vasodilation.

Verapamil

Non-DHP calcium channel blocker; causes vasodilation and can cause constipation and bradycardia.

Non-DHP calcium channel blockers

CCBs such as diltiazem and verapamil; primarily affect heart rate and conduction (negative chronotropy/ inotropy) in addition to vasodilation.

DHP calcium channel blockers

CCBs such as amlodipine; primarily cause vasodilation with less effect on heart conduction.

Peripheral edema

Swelling due to fluid accumulation, a common side effect of some CCBs.

Grapefruit juice interaction

Grapefruit juice can increase toxicity of certain CCBs by inhibiting metabolism.

Calcium chloride/gluconate (antidote)

Calcium salts used to treat calcium channel blocker overdose.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists

Drugs that stimulate α2 receptors in the brainstem to reduce sympathetic outflow, lowering HR and BP.

Clonidine

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; reduces central sympathetic outflow to lower BP.

Methyldopa

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; used in hypertension; can cause hemolytic anemia and liver toxicity.

Rebound hypertension

Return of high blood pressure after abrupt cessation of alpha-2 agonists or other antihypertensives.

Vasodilators

Drugs that directly relax vascular smooth muscle to reduce systemic vascular resistance and BP.

Hydralazine

Vasodilator causing reflex tachycardia and, rarely, lupus-like syndrome.

Lupus-like syndrome

Autoimmune-like syndrome associated with hydralazine use in some patients.

Nitroprusside

Direct arterial and venous vasodilator; prolonged/high-dose use can cause cyanide toxicity.

Sodium thiosulfate / hydroxocobalamin

Antidotes used to treat cyanide toxicity from nitroprusside.

Loop diuretics

Diuretics that inhibit Na-K-2Cl transporter in the loop of Henle, producing significant diuresis.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic; most potent diuretic commonly used for edema and hypertension.

Bumetanide

Loop diuretic similar to furosemide with potent diuretic effect.

Na-K-2Cl transporter

Transporter in the ascending loop of Henle inhibited by loop diuretics.

Hypokalemia

Low potassium; a key risk with loop diuretics leading to arrhythmias.

Ototoxicity

Hearing damage risk; a concern with loop diuretics, especially rapid IV dosing.

Thiazide diuretics

Diuretics that inhibit Na/Cl reabsorption in the distal tubule; moderate diuresis.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Thiazide diuretic used for hypertension and edema.

Chlorthalidone

Thiazide-like diuretic with long duration of action.

Hyperuricemia

Elevated uric acid levels; a potential side effect of thiazide diuretics, contributing to gout.

Hyperglycemia (thiazides)

Increased blood glucose risk with thiazide diuretics.

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Diuretics that spare potassium by antagonizing aldosterone receptors in the distal nephron.

Spironolactone

Aldosterone receptor antagonist; retains potassium but can cause hyperkalemia and gynecomastia.

Eplerenone

Aldosterone receptor antagonist with lower risk of gynecomastia compared to spironolactone.

Hyperkalemia (K-sparing diuretics)

Elevated potassium levels due to aldosterone antagonism; requires monitoring.

Gynecomastia (spironolactone)

Enlargement of male breast tissue as a side effect of spironolactone.

Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)

Drugs that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to reduce hepatic cholesterol synthesis.

Atorvastatin

Statin used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Rosuvastatin

Statin used to lower cholesterol with potent LDL-C reduction.

Simvastatin

Statin used to reduce cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.

Hepatotoxicity

Liver injury risk associated with statin use; monitor liver enzymes.

Rhabdomyolysis

Serious muscle breakdown that can occur with statins, requiring CK monitoring and caution with drug interactions.

SABA (Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonists)

Inhaled bronchodilators that rapidly relax bronchial smooth muscle to relieve acute wheeze; examples include albuterol and levalbuterol.

Albuterol

SABA used for rapid relief of bronchospasm in asthma/COPD.

Levalbuterol

SABA isomer used for quick relief of bronchospasm.

Anticholinergics (SAMA/LAMA)

Inhaled bronchodilators that block muscarinic receptors to reduce bronchoconstriction and mucus.

Ipratropium (SAMA)

Short-acting muscarinic antagonist used for bronchodilation.

Tiotropium (LAMA)

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist for maintenance bronchodilation.

Dry mouth (anticholinergics)

Common side effect of anticholinergic inhalers.

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)

Anti-inflammatory inhaled meds that reduce airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.

Fluticasone

ICS used to prevent asthma/COPD exacerbations.

Budesonide

ICS used to control chronic airway inflammation.

Oral thrush (ICS)

Fungal infection of the mouth risk with inhaled steroids; rinse mouth after use.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Drugs that block leukotriene receptors to reduce inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

Montelukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist used for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Neuropsychiatric changes (montelukast)

Potential psychiatric side effects such as nightmares or mood changes with montelukast.

Antihistamines (H1 blockers)

Block H1 receptors to reduce allergic symptoms; include first-generation (sedating) and second-generation (less sedating) agents.

Diphenhydramine

First-generation H1 blocker with higher sedation and anticholinergic effects.

Loratadine

Second-generation H1 blocker with less sedation.

Insulins (rapid, short, intermediate, long-acting)

Hormones that promote cellular glucose uptake; categories include rapid-acting (lispro, aspart), short-acting (regular), intermediate (NPH), and long-acting (glargine, detemir).

Hypoglycemia

Low blood glucose; a critical adverse effect of insulin therapy with symptoms like confusion, sweating, tremor.

Lipodystrophy

Localized fat distribution changes at insulin injection sites; a potential insulin complication.

Metformin

Oral antidiabetic that reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity; hold before contrast dye due to lactic acidosis risk.

Lactic acidosis

A serious/metabolic complication risk with metformin, especially with contrast dyes or renal impairment.

Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide)

Oral antidiabetics that stimulate pancreatic insulin secretion; risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain.

Hypoglycemia risk with sulfonylureas

Low blood glucose resulting from increased insulin secretion; requires management with glucose sources.

Thyroid drugs: Levothyroxine

Synthetic T4 used to treat hypothyroidism; take in the morning on an empty stomach; monitor for hyperthyroid symptoms if overdosed.

Methimazole / PTU

Antithyroid drugs that inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis to treat hyperthyroidism.

Agranulocytosis (antithyroid drugs)

Severe reduction in neutrophils; presents with fever and sore throat; requires monitoring.

Prednisone / Hydrocortisone

Corticosteroids with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects; require tapering to avoid adrenal crisis.

Hyperglycemia (corticosteroids)

Elevated blood sugar as a side effect of systemic steroids.

Osteoporosis risk (steroids)

Long-term steroids can reduce bone density, increasing fracture risk.

Adrenal crisis

Acute adrenal insufficiency risk when tapering or stopping steroids too abruptly.

Benzodiazepines

GABAergic CNS depressants used for anxiety, sedation, and anesthesia; examples include diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam.

Flumazenil

Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose to reverse CNS effects.

Non-benzodiazepine muscle relaxants

CNS depressants used to reduce muscle tone and spasticity; examples include baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol.