Pain Medicines
Pain Medicine These drugs classically work by preventing the synthesis of Prostaglandin E2 or by stimulating opioid receptors, activating brains endogenous analgesic pathways. Opioids Morphine This is the most famous opioid which provides analgesia in a...Pro and Anti-Coagulants
Anticoagulants These drugs work by inhibiting specific aspects of the clotting cascade. Heparin Heparin is a natural anticoagulant produced by basophils and mast cells. Heparins work by binding to and activating antithrombin-III (AT-III). AT-III inactivates several...Blood Products
Blood Products These drugs are stimulants of different types of blood cells and are used to treat anaemia and leukopenia (often as a result of chemotherapy) Packed Red Blood cells This is made of isolated red blood cells produced from the centrifugation of whole...ACE Inhibitors/ARBs
ACE Inhibitors / ARBs The renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) is activated in several cardiovascular pathologies – therefore these drugs aim to inhibit the body’s natural compensatory response by blocking the RAAS system. ACE inhibitors – Ramipril, Lisinopril...Diuretics
Diuretics Diuretics cause an increase in urine production by causing an increase in sodium excretion. Loop diuretics – Furosemide, bumetanide These are high ceiling diuretics which inhibit sodium reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of...Laxatives and Prokinetics
Laxatives and Prokinetics Anti-Diarrhoea medication Opioids – Diphenoxylate, Loperamide (Imodium) These are μ-opioid receptor agonists which inhibit bowel contractions and decrease the transit rate. They are used for the treatment of diarrhoea. Side...
