Medications

1) Anticoagulants

Used for: Preventing thromboembolic disorders (AF, DVT, PE, prosthetic valves).

• a. Heparin: IV/SC. Enhances antithrombin III. Used for ACS, DVT/PE. Side effects: Bleeding, HIT.

• b. Warfarin: Oral vit K antagonist. Inhibits factors II, VII, IX, X. Used for long-term AF, mech valves. Side effects: Bleeding, teratogenic, INR monitoring.

• c. Dabigatran: Direct thrombin inhibitor (NOAC). Used for stroke prevention in AF, DVT/PE. Side effects: Bleeding, GI upset. Reversal: Idarucizumab.

• d. Rivaroxaban: Oral factor Xa inhibitor. Used for AF, DVT/PE prevention. Side effects: Bleeding, no monitoring.

• e. Enoxaparin: LMWH. Used for DVT prophylaxis, bridging. Side effects: Bleeding, less HIT.

2) Antiplatelets

Used for: Reducing arterial clot formation post-MI, stents, stroke.

• a. Aspirin: COX-1 inhibitor. Irreversibly inhibits plt aggregation. Used for ACS, stroke prevention. Side effects: GI bleed, ulcers.

• b. Clopidogrel: ADP receptor (P2Y12) blocker. Used for dual antiplatelet therapy, stroke prevention. Side effects: Bleeding, bruising.

3) Antihypertensives

• a. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP): Potent vasodilator. Used for hypertensive emergencies. Side effects: Hypotension, cyanide toxicity.

• b. Beta-blockers (Metoprolol, Labetalol, Esmolol): Beta antagonists. Used for rate control in AF, HTN, post-MI. Side effects: Bradycardia, hypotension.

• c. Hydralazine: Direct arterial vasodilator. Used for severe HTN, pregnancy. Side effects: Reflex tachycardia.

• d. Clonidine: Alpha-2 agonist. Used for resistant HTN, sedation. Side effects: Sedation, rebound HTN.

4) Vasopressors

Used for: Treating hypotension/shock.

• a. Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Alpha + beta agonist. Used for cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis. Side effects: Tachycardia, arrhythmias.

• b. Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine): Mainly alpha-1 agonist. Used for septic shock. Side effects: Vasoconstriction.

• c. Ephedrine: Mixed agonist. Used for intraoperative hypotension. Side effects: Tachyphylaxis.

• d. Phenylephrine: Pure alpha-1 agonist. Used for hypotension (spinal-induced). Side effects: Reflex bradycardia.

• e. Dobutamine: Beta-1 agonist. Used for cardiogenic shock, HF. Side effects: Tachycardia.

• f. Dopamine: Dose-dependent. Used for shock with bradycardia. Side effects: Tachycardia.

• g. Metaraminol: Alpha agonist. Used for perioperative hypotension. Side effects: Hypertension.

5) Antiarrhythmics

• a. Amiodarone: Class III (K+ blocker). Used for VT, VF, AF. Side effects: Pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid issues.

• b. Lignocaine (Lidocaine): Class Ib (Na+ blocker). Used for ventricular arrhythmias. Side effects: CNS toxicity.

• c. Adenosine: Slows AV node conduction. Used for SVT. Side effects: Flushing, chest discomfort.

6) Nitrates

• a. IV Nitrates (e.g., GTN): Used for ACS, hypertensive crisis, HF. Side effects: Hypotension, headache.

• b. Sublingual GTN: Used for acute angina. Onset: Rapid. Side effects: Dizziness.

7) Lipid-lowering Agents (Statins)

• a. Atorvastatin

• b. Simvastatin: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Used for preventing atherosclerotic events, post-MI. Side effects: Myopathy.

8) Anticholinergics

• a. Atropine: Muscarinic antagonist. Used for bradycardia, reduce secretions. Side effects: Dry mouth, tachycardia.

• b. Glycopyrrolate: Anticholinergic, less CNS. Used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade, secretions. Side effects: Dry mouth.

9) Special Mentions

• c. Furosemide: Loop diuretic. Used for pulmonary oedema, HF. Side effects: Hypokalaemia, dehydration.

• d. Magnesium: Used for Torsades, eclampsia. Side effects: Hypotension.

• e. Digoxin: Cardiac glycoside. Used for AF with HF. Side effects: Digoxin toxicity, needs renal adjustment.