Immunosuppressive drugs are essential in managing various medical conditions, particularly in preventing organ transplant rejection and treating autoimmune diseases. They can be classified into five main groups:

1. Glucocorticoids: These are steroid hormones that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response. They work by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and reducing the proliferation of immune cells. Common glucocorticoids include prednisone and dexamethasone. Their effects include:

   • Mechanism of Action: Glucocorticoids inhibit the expression of genes coding for pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-2, TNF-α).

   • Clinical Uses: They are used in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and to prevent transplant rejection.

   • Side Effects: Long-term use can lead to osteoporosis, weight gain, diabetes, and increased risk of infections.

2. Cytostatic Drugs: These agents inhibit cell division and are often used in cancer treatment as well as in autoimmune diseases. They include:

   • Examples: Cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and methotrexate.

   • Mechanism of Action: They interfere with DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells.

   • Clinical Uses: Effective in treating cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune disorders.

   • Side Effects: Can cause bone marrow suppression, leading to increased risk of infections and anemia.

3. Antibodies: This group includes monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that target specific components of the immune system.

   • Types:

     • Monoclonal Antibodies: Such as basiliximab and daclizumab, which target the IL-2 receptor to prevent T-cell activation.
     • Polyclonal Antibodies: These are derived from multiple B-cell clones and can broadly suppress immune responses.

   • Clinical Uses: Used in organ transplantation and to treat autoimmune diseases.

   • Side Effects: Risk of infections and allergic reactions due to immune suppression.

4. Drugs Acting on Immunophilins: These drugs modulate immune responses by binding to immunophilins, which are proteins that assist in the folding of other proteins.

   • Examples: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus.

   • Mechanism of Action: They inhibit calcineurin, a phosphatase involved in T-cell activation, thereby reducing the production of IL-2.

   • Clinical Uses: Primarily used in organ transplantation to prevent rejection.

   • Side Effects: Nephrotoxicity, hypertension, and increased risk of infections.

5. Other Drugs: This category includes various agents that do not fit neatly into the other classifications but still have immunosuppressive effects.

   • Examples: Mycophenolate mofetil and sirolimus.

   • Mechanism of Action: Mycophenolate inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by blocking purine synthesis, while sirolimus inhibits mTOR, affecting T-cell activation and proliferation.

   • Clinical Uses: Used in transplant patients and in some autoimmune diseases.

   • Side Effects: Gastrointestinal disturbances, increased risk of infections, and potential for malignancies.

Antihypertensives Drugs

CATEGORIES
I.    Diuretics to reduce blood volume 
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)

II. Drugs that interfere with the Renin-Angiotensin System

A. Converting enzyme inhibitors             Captopril , enalapril, Lisinopril

B. Angiotensin receptor antagonists         Saralasin Losartan 

III. Decrease peripheral vascular resistance and/or cardiac output

A. Directly acting vasodilators
1. calcium channel blockers           Nifedipine , Diltiazem,  amlodipine

2. potassium channel activators     Minoxidil 

3. elevation of cGMP                      Nitroprusside 

4. others                                         Hydralazin e

B. Sympathetic nervous system depressants

1. α-blockers                             Prazosin, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine

2. β-blockers                             Propranolol ,Metoprolol, atenolol

3. norepinephrine synthesis inhibitors     Metyrosine 

4. norepinephrine storage inhibitors     Reserpine
 
5. transmitter release inhibitors         Guanethidine 

6. centrally acting: decrease 
sympathetic outflow                     Clonidine , methyldopa

Antifungal

There are several classes of antifungal drugs.

The polyenes bind with sterols in the fungal cell wall, principally ergosterol. This causes the cell's contents to leak out and the cell dies. Human (and other animal) cells contain cholesterol rather than ergosterol so are much less suceptible.

Nystatin

Amphotericin B

Natamycin

The imidazole and triazole groups of antifungal drugs inhibit the enzyme cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase. This enzyme converts lanosterol to ergosterol, and is required in fungal cell wall synthesis. These drugs also block steroid synthesis in humans.

Imidazoles:

Miconazole

Ketoconazole

Clotrimazole

The triazoles are newer, and are less toxic and more effective:

Fluconazole

Itraconazole

Allylamines inhibit the enzyme squalene epoxidase, another enzyme required for ergosterol synthesis:

Terbinafine

Echinocandins inhibit the synthesis of glucan in the cell wall, probably via the enzyme 1,3-β glucan synthase:

Caspofungin

Micafungin

Others:

Flucytosine is an antimetabolite.

Griseofulvin binds to polymerized microtubules and inhibits fungal mitosis.

Antiemetics

 Antiemetic drugs are generally more effective in prophylaxis than treatment. Most antiemetic agents relieve nausea and vomiting by acting on the vomiting centre, dopamine receptors, chemoreceptors trigger zone (CTZ), cerebral cortex, vestibular apparatus, or a combination of these.
 
 Drugs used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting belong to several different groups. These include:
 
1. Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, act on CTZ and vomiting centre, block dopamine receptors, are effective in preventing or treating nausea and vomiting induced by drugs, radiation therapy, surgery and most other stimuli (e.g. pregnancy).
They are generally ineffective in motion sickness.
Droperidol had been used most often for sedation in endoscopy and surgery, usually in combination with opioids or benzodiazepines

2. Antihistamines such as promethazine and Dimenhyrinate are especially effective in prevention and treatment of motion.

3. Metoclopramide has both central and peripheral antiemetic effects. Centrally, it antagonizes the action of dopamine. Peripherally metoclopramide stimulates the release of acetylcholine, which in turn, increases the rate of gastric. It has similar indications to those of chlorpromazine.

4. Scopolamine, an anticholinergic drug, is very effective in reliving nausea & vomiting associated with motion sickness.

5. Ondansetron, a serotonin antagonist, is effective in controlling chemical-induced vomiting and nausea such those induced by anticancer drugs. 

6. Benzodiazepines: The antiemetic potency of lorazepam and alprazolam is low. Their beneficial effects may be due to their sedative, anxiolytic, and amnesic properties

Class II Beta Blockers 

Block SNS stimulation of beta receptors in the heart and decreasing risks of ventricular fibrillation
– Blockage of SA and ectopic pacemakers: decreases automaticity 
– Blockage of AV increases the refractory period
- Increase AV nodal conduction ´ 
- Increase PR interval
- Reduce adrenergic activity

Treatment: Supraventricular tachycardia (AF, flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia 
– Acebutolol 
– Esmolol 
– Propanolol 

Contraindications and Cautions 

• Contraindicated in sinus bradycardia P < 45
• Cardiogenic shock,  asthma or respiratory depression which could be made worse by the blocking of Beta receptors. 
• Use cautiously in patients with diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, which could be altered by the blockade of Beta receptors 
• Renal and hepatic dysfunction could alter the metabolism and excretion of these drugs.
 

Tetracycline
Tetracycline is an antibiotic produced by the streptomyces bacterium

Mechanism and Resistance Tetracycline inhibits cell growth by inhibiting translation. It binds to the 30S  ribosomal subunit and prevents the amino-acyl tRNA from binding to the A site of the ribosome. This prevents the addition of amino acids to the elongating peptide chain, preventing synthesis of proteins. The binding is reversible in nature.

Example: Chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, demethylchlortetracycline, rolitetracycline, limecycline, clomocycline, methacycline, doxycycline, minocycline

Source: Streptomyces spp.; some are also semi-synthetic

Spectrum of activity: Broad-spectrum. Exhibits activity against a wide range of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, atypical organisms such as chlamydiae, mycoplasmas, rickettsiae and protozoan parasites.

Effect on bacteria: Bacteriostatic

Cells become resistant to tetracyline by at least two mechanisms: efflux and ribosomal protection.

Contraindications Tetracycline use should be avoided during pregnancy and in the very young (less than 6 years) because it will result in permanent staining of teeth causing an unsightly cosmetic result.

Tetracyclines also become dangerous past their expiration dates. While most prescription drugs lose potency after their expiration dates, tetracyclines are known to become toxic over time; expired tetracyclines can cause serious damage to the kidneys.

Miscellaneous: Tetracyclines have also been used for non-antibacterial purposes, having shown properties such as anti-inflammatory activity, immunosuppresion, inhibition of lipase and collagenase activity, and wound healing.