Here’s the information about medicines, explained simply for a 6th-grade reading level:
Understanding Medicines
- Agonist medicines are like keys that fit into a lock and make something happen in your body.
- Antagonist medicines are like keys that fit into the same lock but just block it, so nothing happens.
Blood Pressure and Heart Medicines
- Some medicines for high blood pressure, like those ending in “-pril,” can cause a dry cough and swelling.
- Spironolactone can cause breast growth in men and too much potassium in the body.
- Hydralazine and Alpha methyl dopa are used for high blood pressure, especially for pregnant women.
- Labetalol and Carvedilol help with blood pressure by acting on certain body signals.
- Metoprolol is used for high cholesterol.
- Digoxin makes your heart beat stronger by stopping a pump in your body.
Cholesterol Medicines
- Statins stop your body from making too much cholesterol. They can sometimes hurt your liver or muscles.
- Fibrates, when used with statins, can increase the chance of getting gallstones.
- Niacin (also called Vitamin B3) is another medicine for cholesterol.
Heartbeat Rhythm Medicines
- Sodium channel blockers like Quinidine, Procainamide, and Disopyramide help with heart rhythm.
- Quinidine can cause ringing in the ears, dizziness, and headaches.
- Potassium channel blockers include Amiodarone.
- Calcium channel blockers include Diltiazem and Verapamil.
Thyroid Medicines
- PTU is used for thyroid problems, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.
- Methimazole is used in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
- Levothyroxine is a common medicine for thyroid conditions.
Diabetes Medicines
- Insulin can cause low blood sugar.
- Metformin is used for type 2 diabetes, especially for people who are overweight. It’s not for people with kidney problems.
- Sulfonylureas like Glyburide and Tolbutamide can cause low blood sugar and weight gain.
- Pioglitazone can increase the risk of bone fractures.
- SGLT2 inhibitors like Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin help your body get rid of sugar through your urine.
Stomach and Digestion Medicines
- PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) stop too much stomach acid.
- H2 blockers like Cimetidine also reduce stomach acid, but Cimetidine can cause breast growth in men.
- Misoprostol protects your stomach from certain other medicines.
- Antacids:
- Aluminum Hydroxide can cause constipation.
- Aluminum Magnesium Hydroxide can cause diarrhea.
- Anti-vomit medicines:
- Ondansetron helps stop throwing up, especially from chemotherapy.
- Metoclopramide can cause side effects like Parkinson’s disease and is used for stomach problems in diabetics.
- Aprepitant is a newer medicine to stop throwing up.
- Domperidone is another medicine for stomach issues.
Laxatives and Anti-Diarrhea Medicines
- Lactulose is used for constipation and a brain problem called hepatic encephalopathy.
- Metronidazole and Loperamide are medicines for diarrhea.
Water Pills (Diuretics)
- Loop diuretics help your body get rid of extra water, especially when there’s fluid in the lungs.
- Thiazide diuretics are used for mild high blood pressure.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics like Spironolactone can make your body too acidic.
- Acetazolamide makes your pee more acidic and can make your blood more acidic.
- Osmotic diuretics pull extra fluid out of your body’s cells.
Bladder Control Medicines
- Muscarinic antagonists like Oxybutynin help with needing to pee often or suddenly.
- Muscarinic agonists like Bethanechol help empty the bladder if you have trouble peeing.
- Mirabegron helps your bladder hold more pee.
- Tamsulosin helps relax muscles in the urinary area, used for prostate problems in men.