Antiemetics: Mechanisms and Clinical Use

Antiemetics

Antiemetics are the drugs used to suppress nausea and vomiting. They act on various receptors and pathways, depending on the cause of the symptoms. A deep understanding of antiemetics is essential in clinical practice, particularly in oncology, gastroenterology, anesthesia, and primary care. Nausea and vomiting are complex reflexes coordinated by brainstem centers (the vomiting center … Read more

5-HT₃ Receptor Antagonists: Mechanism, Clinical Uses, and Side Effects

5-HT₃ Receptor Antagonists

Nausea and vomiting unpleasant as they are can  sometimes occur due to significant clinical problems. Constant Vomiting can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and a decreased quality of life especially in patients undergoing cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery. Over the last few decades, the discovery and use of 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists has … Read more

5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors: Mechanism, Clinical Uses, and Side Effects

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

In pharmacology and clinical medicine, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) have a variety of life saving uses. These drugs have been widely used to manage conditions  such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) which are linked to the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). What is 5-Alpha-Reductase? To understand these drugs, we first need … Read more

Antihypertensive Drugs: Types, Mechanism of Action & Side Effects

Antihypertensive Drugs: Types, Mechanism of Action & Side Effects

Antihypertensive drugs are used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) and stop problems including stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, and heart failure from happening. These medications function by changing how the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and nervous system control blood pressure. Types of Antihypertensive Drugs Diuretics: help the kidneys get rid of extra water and … Read more

Anticancer Drugs: Classes, Mechanisms & Side Effects

anticancer drugs study guide

Anticancer Drug Classes: Mechanisms, Side Effects, Indications Anticancer drugs (also called antineoplastic agents) are medications that treat malignant (cancerous) disease1. They act by killing tumor cells or inhibiting their proliferation. Since cancer involves cells growing and dividing without control, these drugs typically target rapidly dividing cells. In practice, most anticancer drugs damage DNA or disrupt … Read more