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Category: Cardiovascular

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Understanding if and Why Do Beta-Blockers Cause Intrusive Thoughts?

6 min read
While often perceived as causing psychological distress, studies have shown that beta-blockers are more likely to reduce trauma-related intrusive thoughts than to cause new ones in certain patient populations. However, the link between beta-blockers and intrusive or disturbing mental phenomena is more complex and depends heavily on the specific medication and the patient's individual biology.

What is the mechanism of action of adrenergic agonists?

6 min read
Adrenergic agonists are a broad class of medications that mimic the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs produce a range of physiological responses, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and bronchodilation, all by interacting with specific adrenergic receptors. Understanding the precise mechanism of action of adrenergic agonists is crucial for appreciating their diverse therapeutic applications and potential side effects.

How does D-tubocurarine cause hypotension?

3 min read
Historically, the administration of D-tubocurarine has been associated with a significant, dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure. This adverse cardiovascular event is one of the key reasons why older neuromuscular blocking agents, and specifically how D-tubocurarine cause hypotension, led to its eventual replacement by newer, more cardiovascularly stable agents.

What is the drug papaverine used for?

4 min read
First isolated from the opium poppy in 1848, papaverine is a smooth muscle relaxant that is chemically and pharmacologically distinct from the narcotic opium alkaloids. It is primarily used to treat various conditions involving spasms of the smooth muscles in blood vessels and internal organs.