Meds

Medication

Mechanism of Action (MOA)

Indications

Common Side Effects

Metoprolol

Selective β1-blocker; decreases heart rate, BP, and myocardial workload

Hypertension, angina, heart failure, AF

Bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, fatigue

Aspirin

Inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking COX-1 and thromboxane A2 production

ACS, MI prevention, stroke prevention

GI irritation, bleeding, bruising, dyspepsia

Clopidogrel

Inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation (P2Y12 receptor blocker)

MI, stroke prevention, post-stent therapy

Bleeding, bruising, GI upset

Clexane (Enoxaparin)

Low molecular weight heparin; inhibits factor Xa and thrombin

DVT/PE prevention and treatment, ACS

Bleeding, bruising, injection-site pain

Salbutamol

β2-agonist causing bronchodilation

Asthma, COPD, bronchospasm

Tremor, tachycardia, palpitations, nervousness

Amlodipine

Calcium channel blocker causing vasodilation

Hypertension, angina

Peripheral oedema, headache, flushing, dizziness

Perindopril

ACE inhibitor; reduces angiotensin II production

Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI

Dry cough, hyperkalaemia, hypotension, dizziness

Irbesartan

ARB; blocks angiotensin II receptors

Hypertension, diabetic nephropathy

Hyperkalaemia, dizziness, hypotension

Hydrochlorothiazide

Thiazide diuretic; increases sodium and water excretion

Hypertension, oedema

Hypokalaemia, dehydration, dizziness

Lasix (Furosemide)

Loop diuretic; inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in loop of Henle

Oedema, heart failure, hypertension

Hypokalaemia, dehydration, hypotension

Dexamethasone

Corticosteroid; suppresses inflammation and immune response

Asthma/COPD exacerbations, cerebral oedema, inflammation

Hyperglycaemia, insomnia, increased infection risk

Pantoprazole

Proton pump inhibitor; reduces gastric acid secretion

GORD, peptic ulcer disease, gastritis

Headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain

Anginine (Glyceryl Trinitrate)

Vasodilator; relaxes vascular smooth muscle

Angina chest pain

Headache, hypotension, dizziness, flushing

Atorvastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase; lowers cholesterol synthesis

Hyperlipidaemia, cardiovascular risk reduction

Myalgia, headache, GI upset

Amiodarone

Class III antiarrhythmic; prolongs cardiac repolarisation

AF, ventricular arrhythmias

Bradycardia, hypotension, thyroid dysfunction

Digoxin

Increases myocardial contractility and slows AV conduction

Heart failure, atrial fibrillation

Bradycardia, nausea, visual disturbances

Morphine

Opioid agonist; alters pain perception in CNS

Moderate-severe pain, MI pain

Respiratory depression, sedation, constipation, nausea

Metformin

Reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity

Type 2 diabetes

GI upset, diarrhoea, nausea

Gliclazide

Sulfonylurea; stimulates insulin release from pancreas

Type 2 diabetes

Hypoglycaemia, weight gain

Glibenclamide

Sulfonylurea; increases insulin secretion

Type 2 diabetes

Hypoglycaemia, weight gain

Pink Lady

Local anaesthetic and antacid mixture coating irritated mucosa

Oral ulcers, mucositis, mouth pain

Numbness, altered taste

Thyroxine (Levothyroxine)

Synthetic T4 hormone replacement

Hypothyroidism

Tachycardia, palpitations, insomnia (if excessive dose)

Senokot (Senna)

Stimulant laxative; increases bowel motility

Constipation

Abdominal cramps, diarrhoea

Endone (Oxycodone)

Opioid agonist acting on CNS pain receptors

Moderate-severe pain

Respiratory depression, constipation, drowsiness

Nurofen (Ibuprofen)

NSAID; inhibits prostaglandin synthesis

Pain, inflammation, fever

GI irritation, nausea, bleeding risk

Vitamin D (Colecalciferol)

Promotes calcium absorption and bone mineralisation

Vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis prevention

Hypercalcaemia (excessive doses), GI upset

Creating flashcards for every medication with their mechanism of action (MOA), indications, and contraindications would require a comprehensive list of medications. Please note that there are thousands of medications, making it impractical to cover all of them here. However, I can create a few example flashcards for commonly used medications:

Term 1: Aspirin
Definition 1:

  • MOA: Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), leading to decreased synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes.

  • Indication: Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and prevention of cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke).

  • Contraindications: Active bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, and known hypersensitivity.

Term 2: Metformin
Definition 2:

  • MOA: Decreases hepatic glucose production, increases insulin sensitivity, and enhances peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.

  • Indication: Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  • Contraindications: Severe renal impairment, acute or chronic metabolic acidosis.

Term 3: Lisinopril
Definition 3:

  • MOA: Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), reducing the formation of angiotensin II and resulting in vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.

  • Indication: Hypertension, heart failure, and post-myocardial infarction.

  • Contraindications: History of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitor use, pregnancy.

Term 4: Atorvastatin
Definition 4:

  • MOA: Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, thereby lowering LDL cholesterol levels.

  • Indication: Hyperlipidemia, prevention of cardiovascular disease.

  • Contraindications: Active liver disease, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Term 5: Omeprazole
Definition 5:

  • MOA: Inhibits the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme in the gastric parietal cells, reducing gastric acid secretion.

  • Indication: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease.

  • Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity to omeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors.

Term 6: Simvastatin
Definition 6:

  • MOA: Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, leading to decreased levels of LDL cholesterol.

  • Indication: Hyperlipidemia, prevention of cardiovascular events.

  • Contraindications: Active liver disease, pregnancy, and breast-feeding.

Term 7: Amlodipine
Definition 7:

  • MOA: Calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels to allow easier blood flow.

  • Indication: Hypertension, angina.

  • Contraindications: Severe hypotension, aortic stenosis.

Term 8: Losartan
Definition 8:

  • MOA: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps relax blood vessels.

  • Indication: Hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease.

  • Contraindications: Pregnancy, severe renal impairment.

Term 9: Gabapentin
Definition 9:

  • MOA: Modulates the release of excitatory neurotransmitters through voltage-gated calcium channel blockade.

  • Indication: Neuropathic pain, seizure disorders.

  • Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to gabapentin.

Term 10: Metoprolol
Definition 10:

  • MOA: Selective beta-1 adrenergic antagonist that reduces heart rate and cardiac output.

  • Indication: Hypertension, heart failure, angina, and arrhythmias.

  • Contraindications: Severe bradycardia, heart block, asthma.

Term 11: Furosemide
Definition 11:

  • MOA: Loop diuretic that inhibits the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending loop of Henle.

  • Indication: Edema associated with heart failure, renal impairment.

  • Contraindications: Anuria, hypersensitivity to furosemide.

Term 12: Levothyroxine
Definition 12:

  • MOA: Synthetic form of thyroxine (T4) that increases metabolic rate and protein synthesis.

  • Indication: Hypothyroidism.

  • Contraindications: Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency, untreated thyrotoxicosis.

Term 13: Albuterol
Definition 13:

  • MOA: Short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscles.

  • Indication: Asthma, COPD.

  • Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to albuterol, severe hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation.

Term 14: Warfarin
Definition 14:

  • MOA: Vitamin K antagonist that inhibits the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

  • Indication: Prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders.

  • Contraindications: Pregnancy, active bleeding.

Term 15: Clopidogrel
Definition 15:

  • MOA: Inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking the ADP receptor on platelets.

  • Indication: Prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerosis.

  • Contraindications: Active bleeding, history of stroke.

Term 16: Cetirizine
Definition 16:

  • MOA: Antihistamine that selectively inhibits peripheral H1 receptors.

  • Indication: Allergic rhinitis, urticaria.

  • Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to cetirizine or hydroxyzine.

Term 17: Hydrochlorothiazide
Definition 17:

  • MOA: Thiazide diuretic that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule.

  • Indication: Hypertension, edema.

  • Contraindications: Anuria, hypersensitivity to thiazides.

Term 18: Insulin
Definition 18:

  • MOA: Hormone that allows glucose to enter cells, reducing blood glucose levels.

  • Indication: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  • Contraindications: Severe hypoglycemia.

Term 19: Lantus (Glargine Insulin)
Definition 19:

  • MOA: Long-acting insulin that provides a steady release of insulin over 24 hours.

  • Indication: Diabetes management.

  • Contraindications: Hypoglycemia, hypersensitivity to insulin glargine.

Term 20: Zolpidem
Definition 20:

  • MOA: Non-benzodiazepine sedative that acts on GABA receptors.

  • Indication: Insomnia.

  • Contraindications: Sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency.

Term 21: Venlafaxine
Definition 21:

  • MOA: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that increases levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.

  • Indication: Major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders.

  • Contraindications: MAOI use, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.

Term 22: Duloxetine
Definition 22:

  • MOA: SNRI that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

  • Indication: Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder.

  • Contraindications: Use with MAOIs, severe liver or kidney impairment.

Term 23: Morphine
Definition 23:

  • MOA: Opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain perception.

  • Indication: Severe pain.

  • Contraindications: Severe respiratory depression, acute or severe asthma.

Term 24: Tramadol
Definition 24:

  • MOA: Centrally acting opioid analgesic that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.

  • Indication: Moderate to moderately severe pain.

  • Contraindications: Significant respiratory depression, acute intoxication with alcohol or CNS depressants.

Term 25: Nitroglycerin
Definition 25:

  • MOA: Vasodilator that relaxes vascular smooth muscle to reduce myocardial oxygen demand.

  • Indication: Angina pectoris, heart failure.

  • Contraindications: Increased intracranial pressure, use of PDE5 inhibitors in the last 24-48 hours.

Term 26: Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Definition 26:

  • MOA: Potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone in the distal tubule.

  • Indication: Heart failure, hypertension, and edema.

  • Contraindications: An