DRUGS ACTING ON CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Introduction:
Drugs acting on the cardiovascular system are used to regulate heart rhythm, control blood pressure, relieve chest pain, and manage heart failure. They act on the heart, blood vessels, or electrical conduction system.
Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs:
Used to treat abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, bradycardia, and irregular heartbeat.
Classification:
- Class I: Sodium channel blockers (Quinidine, Procainamide, Lidocaine)
- Class II: Beta blockers (Propranolol, Esmolol)
- Class III: Potassium channel blockers (Amiodarone, Sotalol)
- Class IV: Calcium channel blockers (Verapamil, Diltiazem)
Important Drugs:
- Quinidine: Used in ventricular arrhythmias
- Procainamide: Treats atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
- Verapamil: Used in hypertension and arrhythmias
- Phenytoin: Effective in digitalis-induced arrhythmias
- Lidocaine: Used in ventricular arrhythmias
- Amiodarone: Used in severe arrhythmias
- Sotalol: Maintains normal heart rhythm
Anti-Hypertensive Drugs:
These drugs lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications like stroke and heart failure.
- Diuretics: Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide
- ACE inhibitors: Captopril, Lisinopril
- Angiotensin receptor blockers: Losartan, Valsartan
- Beta blockers: Propranolol
- Calcium channel blockers: Amlodipine, Verapamil
- Vasodilators: Hydralazine
Anti-Anginal Drugs:
Used to relieve chest pain caused by reduced oxygen supply to the heart.
Isosorbide dinitrate: Causes vasodilation and improves blood flow to the heart.
- Treatment and prevention of angina
- Used in heart failure
- Relieves chest pain
