Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a very widely used drug that is used mainly as a vaso dilator. The main important thing about any nitrates is its mechanism of action. When nitroglycerin is given to the patient, mostly through transdermal patches, it releases nitrous oxide in exchange for sulfur. Once this nitrous oxide is released, it increases the soluble guanylate cyclase enzyme, which then leads to increasing the cyclic GMP, finally decreasing platelet aggregation and therefore causing vasodilatation and causing the antiplatelet effect. What's important to know is that cGMP is a cyclic nucleotide derived from guanosine triphosphate. CGMP is a regulatory nucleotide, most importantly known for its relaxing effect in smooth muscles and blood vessels. When activated, or stimulated, it relaxes the blood vessels in the body, to produce a vasodilatation effect, which henceforth acts as an anti-platelet.
Contraindications of this drug is very minimal, but very important. Primarily, whoever is taking nitrates, should NOT be taking any phospodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, such as Viagra or Cialis. These medication are used for sexual dysfunctions, and relaxes the blood vessels to produce smooth blood flow into the penis. With nitrates, this will cause severe hypotension, and patient can collapse, or go into a hypotensive shock. This is very important, and must be approached very cautiously. Another important contraindication of this drug, is if the patient is allergic to this medication, or any nitrates as a matter of fact. Having an allergy to a drug in general can be fatal, and is acquired as an emergency situation. Also, if a patient is suspecting a heart attack, or having increased pressure in the brain, or the patient is severly anemic; all these conditions are very fatal if nitrates is taken during this time.
Moreover, side effects of this drug, again is very similar; possible side effects are burning in the mouth, any form of dizzines, flushines, headache, lightheadedness, hyperhydrosis, nausea and vomiting. It is important to be very aware of your state of body while taking this drug. Any severe side effects such as rash, irritation, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, fainting, blurred vision, slow heartbeat , can all cause a deadly outcome. It is very important to keep updates with your doctor and be sure of everything that happens to your body.
Finally, using nitrates is very common around the globe and is very successful in treating many conditions. Because nitrates widens your blood vessels, it decreases blood pressure. This is good for anyone who has hypertension, heart failure, any heart disease, kidney failure. Nitrates decrease the preload and afterload to the heart, which saves the heart from any attacks, or strokes. Also nitrates is very useful in decreasing oxygen needs of the heart due to less work, which therefore decreases any chest pain.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers
An example drug of this certain class, is Aggrastat, which is used as an anti-platelet. It is also called Tirofiban.
Tirofiban
This medication, tirofiban, works by inhibiting platelet aggregation. This is done due to its antagonist effect of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor. This receptor causes aggregation of blood - leading to blood clotting. When we inhibit this receptor, it simultaneously inhibits any platelet aggregation, and therefore saves the patient from any type of disease that comes from blood clotting.
Contraindications of this drug is very important to understand as this drug can cause alot of negative results. If a patient has had a history of stroke, surgery, any trauma, or excessive bleeding, it is a major concern that this patient should not take this medication. If a patient has an aneurysm, any clotting condition, artery/vein disease, or even a tumor to the brain, another drug of choice should be given. High blood pressure, heart inflammation, tear in the aorta, are all major contraindications that should be of concern while taking this drug.
Side effects of this drug is like any other anti-platelet. It is very essential to be careful while taking an medication, and as well any medication that works on the blood or the heart. It is crucial to be careful in these medications. Side effects that can occur are dizziness, headache, sweating, pain in the pelvic area, nausea, and awkward pain in the leg. If severe side effects such as - fainting, severe bleeding, haemorrhage, irritation, skin rash, allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, chest tightness - arise, a medical doctor should be alerted as soon as possible to stop the drug and treat any severe symptoms there are.
Tirofiban is used to treat any unstable angina or certain versions of heart attacks, whether severe or mild. If heparin is being taken by the patient, tirofiban is a good combination to take with. Tirofiban is used as a platelet aggregation inhibitor and therefore decreases the chance of any blood vessel constriction leading to heart problems.
Prostacyclin (PGI2) analogues
An example of a prostacyclin analogue is a drug called Iloprost - generic name is Ventavis.
Iloprost
Iloprost is a drug classified under PGI2 analogues. Iloprost is a synthetic analogue of prostacyclin PGI2. Iloprost dilates systemic and pulmonary arterial vascular beds. It also affects platelet aggregation but the relevance of this effect to the treatment of pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The two diastereo isomers of iloprost differ in their potency in dilating blood vessels, with the 4S isomer substantially more potent than the 4R isomer.
The contraindications for this drug are very minimal. Patients who have had a history of allergy to this drug should not take this medication. It is essential that the patient consults the doctor to make sure that this drug is ok for him/her. Another contraindication is if the patient has a lung problem, or history of lung issues such as chronic respiratory acidosis. Other then these two contraindications, this drug is safe and works properly. Again, consulting the doctor is essential for every move you make.
Side effects of this drug is like any other drug with a few different ones. Things such as back pain, headache, increased cough, jaw tightness, trouble sleeping, tongue pain, muscle cramps, are all possible side effects from this drug. These side effects can be overcome by rest, and any pain killers to soothe the pain. Severe side effects such as, allergic reactions, trouble breathing, chest pounding, irregular heartbeat, flu-like symptoms, wheezing, unusual sweating, should be let known to the doctor to keep track and diagnose any difference in your body with this drug.
Iloprost is a medication that is an anti-platelet agent which reduces hypertension. Iloprost specifically treats high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This drug is structurally similar to a chemical in our body, called prostacyclin, which naturally dilates our blood vessels; so dilating the blood vessels will result in reducing blood pressure.
