Medications PTCB

  1. ACE Inhibitors:

    • Used for - Hypertension and Heart Failure

    • How it works: ACE enzymes cause blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart.

    • Examples include Lisinopril, Enalapril, and Ramipril

    • Brand names for each:

      • Lisinopril - Prinivil and Zestril

      • Enalapril - Vasotec

      • Ramipril - Altace

    • How to remember: “Pril” → trustworthy friend, always ready to aid when dealing with hypertension and heart failure.

  2. Beta Blockers:

    • Used for: Cardiovascular diseases

    • How it works: Beta-adrenergic blocking medications treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, angina (chest pain), and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

    • Most Beta Blockers end with “LOL”

    • Examples: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol

    • Brand names include:

      • Lopressor - Metropolol

      • Tenormin - Atenolol

      • Inderal - Propanalol

    • Key Points: These medications reduce heart rate and decrease blood pressure, making them essential in managing heart-related conditions.

  3. Statins:

    • Used for: Cholesterol

    • How it works: Known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors that help reduce cholesterol levels by regulating the production of Cholesterol.

    • These usually end in “Statin”.

    • Examples include Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin

    • Brand names are:

      • Lipitor - Atorvastatin

      • Rosuvastatin - Crestor

      • Simvastatin - Zocor

    • How to remember: “Stating” as it ends in “statin”. It states the importance of cholesterol reduction.

  4. Proton Pump Inhibitors:

    • Used for: Stomach Acid Levels (Usually for elevated stomach acid levels)

    • How it works: PPIs cause a significant and long-lasting reduction in stomach acid production.

    • Examples of these illnesses include Ulcers, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

    • Most PPI names end in “-azole,” such as

      • Omeprazole → Prilosec

      • Pantoprazole → Protonix

      • Esomeprazole → Nexium

    • How to remember: the name ‘azole’ sounds like ‘a hole’ and, simply, a hole is where excess acid will exude.

    • Key points: ‘azole’ drugs are used to reduce acidity in your stomach.

  5. Glucocorticoids: Steroids

    • Helps in physiological processes including stress management, immunological response, and inflammation control.

    • Glucocorticoids help the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

    • Medication names are:

      • Prednisone → Deltasone

      • Hydrocortisone → Hydrocort

      • Dexamethasone → Neofordex

    • How to remember: These medications finish in “sone” which is similar to “sun”. Remember the sun when you come across these drugs and how it keeps you strong, healthy, and free of inflammation.

    • How it works: These medications reduce inflammation and suppress overactive immune responses, similar to how the sun provides light and vitality.

  6. Antifungals:

    • Used for relief of infections by targeting and eliminating fungal organisms.

    • Many antifungal drugs finish in ‘-azole’.

    • Medications include:

      • Ketoconazole

      • Fluconazole

      • Itraconazole

    • How to remember: Fungi cannot have fun (fungal) in ‘azole’ or ‘a hole.’ This term reminds us that ‘azole’ medications are antifungal agents, ready to create an environment in which fungi can’t live.

  7. Benzodiazepines:

    • Used for Anxiety, Insomnia, Seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle relaxation.

    • How it works: It increases the effect of a neurotransmitter that reduces nervous system activity called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in a calm state as it slows down our transmissions between the brain and body.

    • Medications include:

      • Alprazolam → Xanax

      • Lorazepam → Ativan

      • Diazepam → Valium

    • How to remember: Many benzodiazepines end in “-zolam” or “-zepam”. We can link “-zolam” to “so calm” as these drugs put us in a calm state. Whenever you see a drug ending in “-zolam” remember “so calm” and that it is used for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, etc.,

  8. Phosphodiesterase - 5 (PDE5) inhibitors:

    • Used for Erectile Dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension (blood pressure)

    • Medications include:

      • Tadalafil → Cialis

      • Sildenafil → Viagra

      • Vardenafil → Levitra

    • How to remember: “-afil” is a homophone with “a feel”. The meds treat sexual health and heart-related issues, so we can symbolically associate them with love.

  9. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB’or’)":

    • Used for excessive blood pressure and heart failure.

    • How it works: There is a drop in blood pressure as the action of angiotensin II allows blood vessels to widen and relax.

    • Medications include:

      • Losartan → Cozaar

      • Valsartan → Diovan

      • Irbesartan → Avapro

    • How to remember: “-sartan” sounds like “sailor’s tan”. Picture medications ready in the harbor to set sail and fight high blood pressure.

  10. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors:

    • Used for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

      • Benign means “not cancer”

      • Hyperplasia means “too much cell growth”.

    • How it works: Many drugs work to prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to various disorders including bladder issues also known as prostate.

    • Medications include:

      • Finasteride → Proscan, Propecia

      • Dutasteride → Avodart

    • How to remember: “steride” is a homophone to “stride”. These medications stride forward to eliminate DHT.