Anaesthetics
Anaesthetics Anaesthesia is a controlled temporary loss of awareness, with varying degrees of pain relief (analgesia), loss of memory (amnesia) and muscle paralysis. General anaesthesia: this is believed to potentiate GABAA receptors and K+ channels and inhibit...GABA-ergic drugs
GABA Drugs GABA is made from glutamate using an enzyme that is only found in GABA neurones. It binds GABA(A) receptors which are ionotropic and permeable to Cl- ions which hyperpolarizes neurones It also binds to GABA(B) receptors, which are metabotropic and Gi...Autonomic System Drugs
Autonomic System Drugs Nicotinic Agents Nicotinic receptors are present both at the autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). NMJ blockers (muscle relaxants) are either non-depolarising, which work by directly blocking the receptor or depolarising,...Statins and Cholesterol Modulators
Statins and Cholesterol Modulators Many drugs aim to reduce plasma cholesterol levels, as this is the main component which causes atherosclerosis, being found in LDLs. Statins – Simvastatin, Atorvastatin These drugs inhibit cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting...Blood Pressure Drugs
Blood Pressure Drugs Nitrovasodilators – Glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate These drugs are converted to nitric oxide in vascular smooth muscle cells. They activate cGMP-dependent kinases which lead to phosphorylation of MLCK, smooth muscle relaxation and...Anti-Arrythmics
Anti-Arrythmics Anti-arrhythmic drugs are categorised by their effects on the cardiac action potential, rather than the type of drug itself. Class I Class I drugs bind to voltage gated Na+ channels. They have increased affinity either for the activated...
