Pharmacology Master Course - All Medications Explained

Explain nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and mononitrate as venous dilators that lower preload via cyclic GMP, used for angina and acute coronary syndrome, with hypotension and reflex tachycardia as common effects.

Understand how infarction alters cardiac pathways and triggers arrhythmias. Explore class one a antiarrhythmics—quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide—sodium blockers that raise refractory period and QT, with cinchonism and drug-induced lupus risks.

Class one b antiarrhythmic drugs restore electrical flow through dead or semi-dead heart tissue after myocardial infarction, addressing arrhythmia, but may alter neuronal sodium levels, causing confusion and CNS depression.

Class ic antiarrhythmic agents, including fluocinonide and propafenone, are potent sodium channel blockers reserved for arrhythmias after options fail, prolonging the refractory period in severe atrial fibrillation or resistant tachycardias.

Prioritize therapies over medications, emphasizing behavioral therapy, educational therapy, and family therapy. Recognize that medications are not first-line; antipsychotics and antidepressants require caution with herbal and dietary supplements.

Analyze how antipsychotics stored in fatty tissues cause long-lasting side effects, including hyperprolactinemia with gynecomastia and galactorrhea, dry mouth, constipation, sedation, metabolic syndrome, orthostatic hypotension, and QT prolongation.

Explore corticosteroids in dermatology, detailing step up and step down therapy, topical vs systemic use, and when to employ intralesional or systemic steroids for inflammatory conditions, with key side effects.