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ANTI-DEPRESSANTS Mechanism of Action: Block uptake of norepinephrine into the central nervous system synapses. Treatment: Depression. Effect at Rest: Increase HR, may cause hypotension. Effects during Exercise: Increase HR, decrease BP or stable, increase risk for arrhythmias. Caution: Careful with cardiac rehab. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name   Prozac   Doxepin   Tofranil   Elavil   Norpramin BETA BLOCKERS Mechanism of action: Blocks beta-receptors of the sympathetic nervous system. Some agents act primarily on beta receptors in the heart. These are called cardioselective. Beta- blockage results in decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and contractility of the heart. Therefore, reducing the demand for oxygen by the heart. Treatment: Angina pectoris, hypertension, previous MI patients, arrhythmias, migraine headaches. Effect at rest: Decreased HR, decreased BP, decreased arrhythmias. Effect during exercise: Increased exercise capacity in patients with angina, exercise capacity decreased in patients without angina, decreased exercise ischemia, decreased HR, decreased BP. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Propranolol Inderal Metoprolol Lopressor Nadolol Corgard Atenolol Norpramin BRONCHODIALATORS / ANTIHISTAMINES Mechanism of action: Inhibit bronchial smooth muscle constriction in patients with asthma or COPD. Treatment: Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Effect at Rest: May produce arrhythmia, bronchodialtors may increase HR or BP, effect will vary. Effect during Exercise: May produce PVC's and dysrrhythmias, bronchodialtors may increase HR or BP. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Aminophylline = B Theo-Dur Isoproterenol = B Isuprel Theophylline = B Note the decongestant Pseudoephedrine (sometimes combined with certain antihistamines) can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This effect may become attenuated after continued use.

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS Mechanism of Action: Inhibits trasmembrane calcium influx in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. This causes a vasodilation and lower resting blood pressure. Treatment: Angina pectoris, coronary artery spasm, arrhythmias, hypertension. Effect at Rest: Nifedipine/Procardia: Increased HR, increased BP. Other Calcium Channel Blockers: decreased HR, decreased BP, decreased Ischemia. Check individual medication! Effects during Exercise: Same as rest, may increase exercise capacity. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Diltiazem Cardizem Nifedipine Procardia Verapamil Isoptin, Calan DIGITALIS Mechanism of Action: Improves myocardial contraction by altering the calcium utilization of the myocardial cell. Treatment: (CHF) Congestive Heart Failure, Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter. Effects at Rest: May decrease HR. Effects during Exercise: May decrease HR, will improve exercise capacity only in patients atrial fibrillation or CHF. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Dioxin Lanoxin Digitoxin Crystodigin Digitalis Digitortis DIURETICS Mechanism of Action: Most diuretics alter renal function, causing an increase in the excretion of fluid. CAUTION - Sodium and potassium levels maybe depleted. Calcium supplement may also be necessary. Treatment: Hypertension, edema (swelling) increase/decrease Effect at Rest: Decrease of blood pressure. Effects during Exercise: May decrease BP, may effect CHF patients. May induce arrhythmias. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Furosemide Lasix Triamterene Furoside Chlorothiazide Dyazide Hydrochlorthiazide Hydro-Diuril THYROID MEDICATION (Only Levothyroxine) Mechanism of Action: Hormonal regulation Treatment: To correct abnormal and irregular release of hormones, due to thyroid dysfunction. Effect at Rest: Increase HR, increase BP, may increase ischemia. Effects during Exercise: Same effects as rest, may be exaggerated. Common Drugs Generic Name Brand Name Thyroxine Synthrox