3.CVS Pharmacology I III B.Ph 2015-16 PESCP Dr,KPS Gowda Page 15
1. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting- due to gastric irritation + stimulation of CTZ.
2. CNS: Headache, malaise (uneasiness), fatigue, drowsiness, weakness, paresthesia
(abnormal sensation), disorientation, confusion, delirium (acute confusional state),
hallucinations, convulsions.
3. Cardiac adverse effects: sinus bradycardia (due to increase vagal tone), AV block (partial
or complete), supra ventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia.
Drug interactions:
1. Diuretics- cause hypokalemia.
2. Quinidine- decrease tissue binding of digitalis.
3. Antacids- decrease absorption.
4. Pentobarbitone- increase metabolism,
5. Calcium - increase toxicity.
6. Erythromycin- decrease metabolism.
7. Propranolol, verapamil,- decrease AV conduction and force of contraction.
CI: Hypokalemia, hypercalcemia
Uses: CCF, LVF, PSVT, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation.
Preparations- Digoxin tabs, inj
2. Vasodilators:
They may be arteriolar vasodilator, venous vasodilator or both.
a.ACE-I: e.g. Captopril, enalapril and lisinopril. These are mixed vasodilators; they dilate
both arteries, and veins. They act by decreasing both preload and after load on the heart due
to both arterial dilatation and venous dilatation.
b.ARBs (Angiotensin receptor antagonist) e.g losartan. It is useful in LVF. It acts by
decreasing ventricular preload.
c.Nitrovasodilators- e.g. Sodium nitroprusside, glyceryltrinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate.
They are useful in acute or chronic CCF. They act by decreasing ventricular filling (preload),
by decreasing venous return to the heart due to venous dilatation. Sodium nitroprusside also
decrease after load by arterial dilatation.
d.Direct vasodilators: e.g.Hydralazine and nicorandil. They act by decreasing after load on
the heart by arterial dilatation.
e.CCBs: e.g.Nifedipine, and amlodipine. They act by decreasing after load on the heart by
arterial dilatation.They can also decrease ventricular preload by venodilatation.
f.Inodilators; (Phosphodiesterase III inhibitors): e.g.Amirinone, milrinone. They are
synthetic bipyridines. They produce positive ionotropic action on the heart and direct