Essential Drugs all healthcare professionals need to know

Explain how ACE inhibitors and ARBs block the renin-angiotensin system to lower blood pressure through vasodilation, while noting dry cough and angioedema risks and the need for renal monitoring.

Explore calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, their dihydrobyrudine vs non-dihydrobyrudine classifications, vascular vs cardiac effects, heart failure safety, and key side effects and safety cautions.

Explore diuretics by class: thiazides, loop, potassium-sparing, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, osmotic, and aldosterone antagonists—covering indications, key side effects, and safe combinations with ACE inhibitors and ARBs.

Explore warfarin's dosing, monitoring, bleeding risks, and bridging with inoxaparin, alongside direct oral anticoagulants that offer rapid onset, no INR monitoring, and factor Xa or thrombin inhibition.

Vancomycin treats MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection with IV 15–20 mg/kg every 8–12 hours and oral 1–5 mg four times daily, with renal dose adjustment and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Describe fluconazole as first-line therapy for candidiasis, covering vaginal, oropharyngeal, systemic uses, dosing, and CYP interactions; note terbinafine's topical and oral use for dermatophyte infections and liver monitoring.

Compare typical and atypical antipsychotics, noting haloperidol and risperidone and their dose ranges. Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms, QTc prolongation, metabolic side effects, and rare events like neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Identify indications and key clinical points for antiepileptics, including valproate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and levetiracetam, for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, bipolar disorder, and migraine prophylaxis, including not stopping abruptly.

Explore asthma management with reliever and controller therapies, including SABA like salbutamol, inhaled corticosteroids, ICS-LABA combos, and strategies like AIR and MART to optimize maintenance and relief.

Explore COPD management with LABA, LAMA, LABA-LAMA, and ICS, plus roflumilast for severe cases; emphasize smoking cessation, vaccination, and rehabilitation per GOAT guidelines.

Master dyspepsia relief with alginate antacids and ppi therapy, note two-hour spacing for drug interactions and pregnancy safety, then treat threadworms with mebendazole and household-wide deworming.