Antihyperlipidemic & Vasodilator Drugs: Exploring Their Benefits - Essay Sample

Introduction

Antihyperlipidemic drugs are a group of medication administered to promote the reduction of lipids in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Vasodilator drugs are used to treat heart failure, angina, systematic, and pulmonary hypertension. They work by relaxing the soft muscle in the blood vessels causing them to dilate. This paper focuses on elaborating the Antihyperlipidemic and the Vasodilator classes of drugs.

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Antihyperlipidemic Drugs

The antihyperlipidemic drugs ensure the reduction of the lipid levels in the blood system. One drug in the class is known by the trade name Lescol. Its generic name is Fluvastatin. The drug is indicated to reduce low-level lipoprotein, cholesterol, and plasma triglycerides (Simonson, 2018). It is also indicated to delay the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The drug works by inhibiting the hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A, which facilitates the synthesis of cholesterol.

The Administration Considerations

The drug should be taken 1-2 times in a day at 20 to 40 mg. It is taken orally with or without food at the same intervals every day (Aqeel, 2018). The drug should not be taken by expectant mothers. The drug is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity.

Vasodilator Drugs

The vasodilator drugs lead to the dilation of the vascular muscle. One of the drugs is known by the trade name Nitrostat. Its generic name is Nitroglycerin (Munzel & Daiber, 2017). The drug is indicated for the acute relief of the angina chest pains caused by the coronary artery condition. Inside the body, the drug is converted to nitric oxide, which then activates the Guanylyl Cyclase enzyme. The enzyme then converts guanosine triphosphate to monophosphate inside the smooth tissues. It then activates the protein kinase-dependent phosphorylations that result in light chains of myosin within the smooth muscles. The result leads to the relaxation of smooth muscles resulting in a vasodilation effect.

Administration Considerations

One tablet is prescribed under the tongue until it dissolves. The drug is administered in three doses of 0.3mg, 0.4mg, and 0.6mg every five minutes (Munzel & Daiber, 2017). The drug should, however, not be taken in patients with severe anemia, as it may lead to the oxidation of hemoglobin. It should not be taken by patients using the guanylate cyclase stimulants as it can lead to hypotension.

The Differences and Similarities of the Two Drugs

Fluvastatin works by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides, while Nitrostat works by resulting in the activation of protein kinase-dependent phosphorylation, which leads to vascular dilation (Aqeel, 2018). Fluvastatin is recommended at 80 mg in a day. Nitrostat is recommended at three doses of 0.3mg, 0.4mg, 0.6 mg in a day (Munzel & Daiber, 2017). The two drugs, however, are similar in that they are contraindicated in expectant mothers. They also have a high response rate.

The Parameters of Each Drug

The Lescol tablet contains 84.24mg of fluvastatin sodium compound. It is used in patients who need to reduce cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride. Nitrostat contains 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6mg of nitroglycerine, lactose monohydrate calcium stearate (Munzel & Daiber, 2017). The drug is rapidly absorbed within the body, but peak concentrations take place after eight minutes. It is also eliminated through metabolism.

Patient Teaching Points

Patients using Lescol should observe their diet. It should also be taken with a full glass of water to enhance absorption (Aqeel, 2018). The drug should, however, not be taken by expecting mothers. Nitrostat should not be swallowed but should be placed on the cheek or under the tongue (Munzel & Daiber, 2017). It should also be used within five to ten minutes of an activity that may stimulate chest pains. The patient should provide a record of the drugs recently used.

Application Level NCLEX Style Question Related to the Drugs

Peter has a coronary artery condition. He continually complains of severe chest pains. Which drug and at how many times in a day should the drug be administered to Peter?

• Lescol at three times in a day
• Nitrostat at two times in a day
• Nitrostat once in a day
• Lescol at two times in a day

The nurse is educating a patient taking Lescol on how to take the drug. Which of the below accounts by the client shows a necessity for additional teaching?

• I have been taking the drug two times in a day
• I have been taking the drug while watching my diet
• I have been taking the drug a glass of milk
• I am lactating

References

Aqeel, M. T. (2018). Antihyperlipidemic studies of newly synthesized phenolic derivatives: in silico and in vivo approaches. Drug design, development, and therapy, 12, 2443. Retrieved from doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S158554. eCollection 2018.

Munzel, T., & Daiber, A. (2017). Pharmacology of nitrovasodilators. In Nitrite and Nitrate in Human Health and Disease (pp. 195-216). Humana Press, Cham. Retrieved from doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.1064

Simonson, W. (2018). Update on statin drugs for lipid disorders. Geriatric Nursing, 39(3), 350-351. Retrieved from doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.04.016