Suggested Level of Knowlege: Good

LOs

BT_PO 1.58 Describe the pharmacology of anti-hypertensive agents and their clinical application, including the following agents:

clonidine

alpha-methyl dopa

alpha and beta blockers

nitric oxide

sodium nitroprusside and glyceryl trinitrate

calcium antagonists

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists

hydralazine and the

potassium channel activators.

SS_OB 1.12 Describe the pharmacology of agents used for the treatment of pre-eclampsia including magnesium, hydralazine and labetolol

Past SAQs

2015.1, 2013.2 List the classes of drugs that may be used to manage an intra-operative hypertensive crisis and briefly outline the mechanisms of action.

2011.1 List  the  classes  of  drugs  that  may  be  used  to  manage  hypertensive  crisis  and  briefly  outline  the mechanism of action.

2010.1 Briefly describe the pharmalogical role of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor.

2004.1 Outline the circulatory effects of glyceryl trinitrate.

1999.2 Briefly describe the mechanism and treatment of the toxicity of sodium nitroprusside.

Hypotensive Agents

There is no good standard for labelling on vials of parenteral drugs.

This ampoule of hydralazine appeared one day in our drug drawers. The only way we could read it was to photograph the label and zoom in.