Archives: Drug Cards

Alendronate Alendronate is a first‑generation, nitrogen‑containing bisphosphonate used primarily to inhibit bone resorption and prevent fractures in osteoporotic and other high‑fracture‑risk patients. Mechanism of Action Alendronate binds to hydroxyapatite in…

Albuterol Albuterol (also known as salbutamol) is a short‑acting β₂‑adrenergic agonist widely used as an inhaled bronchodilator for pulmonary conditions. Mechanism of Action β₂‑Receptor Agonist β₂ receptors on bronchial smooth‑muscle…

Acyclovir Mechanism of Action Selective activation by viral thymidine kinase to acyclovir monophosphate (viral specific). Host cellular kinases convert it to the triphosphate form. The triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA…

Acetylcysteine Mechanism of Action Acetylcysteine is a glutathione precursor and a disulfide‑bond reducer. Antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose: It is deacetylated in the liver to produce N‑acetyl‑p‑cysteine, which supplies cysteine…

Acetazolamide Mechanism of Action Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (enzyme‑specific inhibition of CA II in proximal tubules). ↓Formation of hydrogen ions → ↓Na⁺, HCO₃⁻ reabsorption → increased urinary pH, volume, and chloride…

Acetaminophen Mechanism of Action Acetaminophen is a centrally acting analgesic and antipyretic whose exact pharmacodynamics are not fully elucidated. The prevailing theory involves: Inhibition of cyclo‑oxygenase (COX) in the brain,…

Buspirone Mechanism of Action Buspirone acts primarily as a partial agonist at presynaptic serotonin (5‑HT₁A) receptors in the limbic system. By reducing serotonin release, it modulates anxiety without the GABA‑ergic…

Metformin Mechanism of Action Metformin exerts its antihyperglycemic effect primarily through multiple, complementary mechanisms: ↓ Hepatic gluconeogenesis – Inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, reducing ATP production and activating AMP‑activated protein…

Atropine Mechanism of Action Atropine is a potent, non‑selective antimuscarinic agent that competitively inhibits acetylcholine binding at muscarinic receptors in the parasympathetic nervous system. α‑1‑adrenergic stimulation via muscarinic blockade →…

Aspirin Mechanism of Action Aspirin (acetyl‑salicylic acid) irreversibly acetylates serine residues in the active sites of cyclo‑oxygenase enzymes COX‑1 and COX‑2. Inhibition of COX‑1 in platelets ↓ thromboxane A₂ → potent,…