Drug mechanisms
1. Inhibit the bacterial DNA gyrase or the topoisomerase IV enzyme, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and transcription.

aminoglycosides
quinolones
tetracyclines
cephalosporins
macrolides

2. Work by binding to the bacterial 30S (or 50S) ribosomal subunit, inhibiting translocation of peptidyl-tRNA from the A-site to the P-site and also causing misreading of mRNA. They do not usually produce a bactericidal effect.

Quinolones
Tetracyclines
Cephalosporins
Aminoglycosides
Macrolides

3. Widely used in primary and secondary prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease. Inhibit calcium dependent pathways.

Anticoagulants
Antiarrhythmic agents
Anti-platelet agents
Statins
Thrombolytics

4. Also known as angiotension receptor antagonists, these drugs lower blood pressure but do not cause cough, perhaps because they do not prevent bradykinin degredation.

Calcium antagonists
ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers
Cardiac glycoside
AT1 blockers

5. Bind to hydroxyapatite crystals and reduce bone resorption

biguanides
calcium antagonists
sulphonyureas
bisphosphonates
aminosalicylates

6. A class of treatments including salts containing poorly absorbed ions (e.g. MgSO4) and lactulose

stimulant laxatives
Osmotic laxatives
Bulk laxatives
Anti-diarrhoeal agents
Faecal softeners

7. A group of drugs including Sodium channel blockers, Beta blockers, Potassium channel blockers, Calcium channel blockers

Anti-platelet agents
Loop diuretics
Antiarrhythmic agents
Bisphosphonates
Anticholinergics

8. Work by binding specifically to the 30S ribosome of the bacteria, preventing attachment of the aminoacyl tRNA to the RNA-ribosome complex

Quinolones
Aminoglycosides
Cephalosporins
Macrolides
Tetracyclines

9. Work by inhibiting the Na+/K+ pump, causing an increase in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+. The increase in Ca2+ ions available for contraction of the heart muscle, improves cardiac output and reduces distention of the heart.

AT1 blockers
Nitrates
Nitrites
Cardiac glycoside
Calcium antagonists

10. Some of these drugs have anti-inflammatory properties, but this class only includes those drugs which have an analgesic effect without the accompanying anti-inflammatory action that those with a similar molecular structure exhibit.

bisphosphonates
opiates
NSAIDs
aminosalicylates
non-opiates

11. Their activity stems from the presence of a large macrocyclic lactone ring to which one or more deoxy sugars, usually cladinose and desosamine, may be attached. The lactone rings are usually 14, 15 or 16-membered.

Aminoglycosides
Quinolones
Cephalosporins
Macrolides
Tetracyclines

12. Act on the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption. This is achieved by competing for the Cl- binding site.

Loop diuretics
Potassium sparing diuretics
Thiazide diuretics
AT1 blockers
Calcium antagonists

13. Block L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels causing relaxation and vasodilation. Vasodilation lowers blood pressure, while a decrease in cardiac contractility decreases cardiac output.

Beta blockers
AT1 blockers
ACE inhibitors
Cardiac glycoside
Calcium antagonists

14. Includes heparin and Warfarin

Antiarrhythmic agents
Thrombolytics
Anticoagulants
Statins
Anti-platelet agents

15. A class of drugs used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias and cardioprotection after myocardial infarction (amongst other things). Should be avoided in asthmatics.

AT1 blockers
Beta blockers
Calcium antagonists
Cardiac glycoside
ACE inhibitors

16. Act on the distal tubule and inhibit the Sodium-chloride symporter leading to a retention of water in the urine.

Potassium sparing diuretics
Loop diuretics
Calcium antagonists
AT1 blockers
Thiazide diuretics

17. Converted into NO which then activates guanylyl cyclase, causing an increas ein cGMP in vascular smooth muscle cells. Precisely how this causes relaxation is not clear.

Nitrates
Nitrites
Calcium antagonists
AT1 blockers
Cardiac glycoside

18. Compounds with effects that are antagonised by nalaxone

NSAIDs
opiates
non-opiates
aminosalicylates
bisphosphonates

19. Increase airway calibre in asthma by reducing bronchial inflammatory reactions and by modifying allergic reactions

Beta 2 agonists
Biguanides
Anticholinergics
Aminosalicylates
Corticosteroids

20. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors - decrease hepatic cholesterol synthesis

Anticoagulants
Antiarrhythmic agents
Anti-platelet agents
Statins
Thrombolytics

21. A classification of drugs used to block the action of histamine on parietal cells in the stomach, decreasing acid production by these cells.

Antacids
Proton pump inhibitors
H2 receptor antagonists
Aminosalicylates
Anticholinergics

22. React with sulphydrl groups in the H+/K+ - ATPase responsible for transporting H+ ions out of the parietal cells. Because the enzyme is irreversibly inhibited, acid secretion only resumes after the synthesis of a new enzyme.

Proton pump inhibitors
Antacids
H2 receptor antagonists
Aminosalicylates
Anticholinergics

23. Include Metformin which acts peripherally to increase glucose reuptake by an unknown mechanism.

sulphonyureas
calcium antagonists
biguanides
aminosalicylates
bisphosphonates

24. Raise the luminal pH of the stomach

Antacids
Proton pump inhibitors
Aminosalicylates
Anticholinergics
H2 receptor antagonists

25. Drugs including spironolactone which is a competitive antagonist of aldosterone. Aldosterone normally adds sodium channels in the principal cells of the collecting duct and late distal tubule of the nephron. Spironolactone prevents aldosterone from entering the principal cells, preventing sodium reabsorption.

Thiazide diuretics
Loop diuretics
Calcium antagonists
AT1 blockers
Potassium sparing diuretics

26. A group of bronchodilators that affect the muscles around the bronchi. When the lungs are irritated, these bands of muscle can tighten, making the bronchi narrower. These drugs work by stopping the muscles from tightening.

Beta 2 agonists
Biguanides
Anticholinergics
Aminosalicylates
Corticosteroids

27. The most important antibiotics characterised by a beta lactam ring.

Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Tetracyclines
Macrolides
Aminoglycosides

28. This class of drugs include dopamine antagonists, 5HT3 antagonists, antimuscarinic drugs and antihistamines

anti-convulsants
sulphonyureas
antiemetics
aminosalicylates
bisphosphonates

29. Includes morphine, dipenoxylate, codeine and loperamide

Anticholinergics
H2 receptor antagonists
Aminosalicylates
Anti-diarrhoeal agents
Proton pump inhibitors

30. Compounds that contain 5-ASA and interfere with the body's ability to control inflammation. They are effective in treating mild-to-moderate episodes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as preventing relapses and maintaining remission. The first of these was Sulfasalazine.

Anticholinergics
Aminosalicylates
H2 receptor antagonists
Anti-diarrhoeal agents
Proton pump inhibitors

31. Many of this class of drugs block Sodium (Na+) channels, Calcium (Ca2+) channels, AMPA receptors or NMDA receptors. Some inhibit the metabolism of GABA or increase its release.

anti-convulsants
beta 2 agonist
beta blocker
biguanides
AT1 blocker

32. Used in MI to lyse the thrombi that block coronary arteries. Administered by IV infusion.

Anti-platelet agents
Antiarrhythmic agents
Thrombolytics
Anticoagulants
Statins

33. A chemically diverse group that all have the ability to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase - the resulting inhibition of prostaglandin syntehsis is largely responsible for their therapeutic effects.

non-opiates
bisphosphonates
opiates
aminosalicylates
NSAIDs

34. Structurally very similar to the penicillins, but with fewer specific indications

Aminoglycosides
Tetracyclines
Quinolones
Macrolides
Cephalosporins

35. A class of antidiabetic drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus type 2. They act by increasing insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas.

anti-convulsants
sulphonyureas
bisphosphonates
aminosalicylates
biguanides

36. Relax smooth muscle resulting in dilation of bronchial passages. Adverse effects include fine tremor, nervous tension and tachycardia.

Beta blockers
Beta 2 agonsits
Beta antagonists
AT1 agonists
Beta 2 antagonists

37. Lower arteriolar resistance and increase venous capacitance; increase cardiac output and cardiac index, stroke work and volume, lower renovascular resistance, and lead to increased natriuresis by preventing Angiotensin I being converted to angiotensin II.

Calcium antagonists
Beta blockers
ACE inhibitors
Cardiac glycoside
AT1 blockers

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