What is labetalol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Labetalol is a drug used for treating high blood pressure and is related to carvedilol (Coreg). Nerves from the adrenergic nervous system travel from the spinal cord to arteries where they release norepinephrine. Norepinephrine attaches to adrenergic receptors on arteries and causes the arteries …
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What is felodipine, and how does it work? Felodipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include: nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) amlodipine (Norvasc) nisoldipine (Sular) nicardipine (Cardene) isradipine (Dynacirc) Calcium is necessary for muscle cells to contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being released within the muscle cells of …
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What is portal hypertension? Portal hypertension occurs when blood flow through the liver is obstructed. The liver serves many purposes within the body from making carbohydrates, proteins and fats to synthesizing bile to help digest food. Because of this, the liver requires a significant blood supply. As opposed to other organs in the body, the majority of this blood supply …
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What is betaxolol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Betaxolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking drug (beta-blocker). The nerves of the sympathetic nervous system — a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system — release a chemical related to adrenaline that binds to the heart-rate controlling cells in the heart as well as the muscles of the heart. Binding causes …
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What is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lotensin HCT is a combination of two drugs, benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. Benazepril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used for treating high blood pressure. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), moexipril (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik). ACE …
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What is nisoldipine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nisoldipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class that is used to treat high blood pressure. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), and isradipine (Dynacirc). Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering …
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What is bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ziac is a combination product containing bisoprolol (Zebeta) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding …
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What is indapamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Indapamide is a diuretic (water pill) that is used primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure. It works by preventing the kidney from reabsorbing (retaining in the body) salt and water that is destined to be eliminated in the urine. This results in increased urine output (diuresis). Indapamide …
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What is nicardipine? What are the uses for nicardipine? Nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR) belongs to a class of drugs referred to as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nicardipine is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (heart pain). What brand names are available for nicardipine? Cardene, Cardene SR Is nicardipine available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: …
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What is trandolapril, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Trandolapril is an oral drug that is used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Zestril; Prinivil), benazepril (Lotensin), ramipril (Altace), and quinapril (Accupril). Blood pressure is dependent on …
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