Aquaretics
An aquaretic is a class of drug that is used to promote aquaresis, the excretion of water without electrolyte loss.

Lithium, demeclocycline

Mechanism of Action

1.    Block ADH action on distal tubule and collecting duct. Blocking ADH decreases H2O permeability. H2O is not recovered (distal tubule) using osmotic draw of counter-current multiplier so aquaretics reduce water reabsorption (tubule to blood stream). 
2.    Net effect is an increase in free water clearance
 

Classification Based on

a. Chemical structure

I. Sulphonamidcs.and others - c.g.. sulphadiazine. etc.

2. Beta-lactum ring - e.g.. penicillin

3. Tetracycline - e.g.. Oxytetracycline,.doxycycline.etc.

b. Mechanism of action

1. Inhibits cell-wall synthesis - penicillin. cephalosporin..cycloserine. etc.

2. Cause leakage from cell-membrane – polypeptides (polymyxin,  Bacitracin), polyenes (Nystatin)

3. Inhibit protein synthesis - tetracyclines. chloramphenicols. erythromycin.

4. Cause mis-reading of mRNA code - aminoglycosides

5. Interfere with DNA function - refampicin.. metronidazole

6. Interfere with intermediary metabolism - sulphonamides. ethambutole

c. Type of organism against which it is primarily activate

I. Antibacterial - penicillin.

2. Antifungal - nystatin.

d. Spectrum of activity

1. Broad spectrum - tetracylines .

2. Narrow spectrum - penicillin G (penG). streptomycin.erythromycin

e. Type of action

I. Bacteriostatic - sulphonamides, erythromycin.tertracyclines

2. Bacteriocidal - penicillin. aminoglycoside

f. Source

I. Fungi - penicillin. cephalosporins

2. Bacteria - Polymyxin B

Balanced Anesthesia
A barbiturate, narcotic analgesic agent, neuromuscular blocking agent, nitrous oxide and one of the more potent inhalation anesthetic.

Clotrimazole: Clotrimazole is a potent, specific inhibitor of p450 enzymes.

It is used in some antifungal medications, and in the treatment of yeast infections.

Glucocorticoids 
Cortisol (hydrocortisone) and its synthetic derivatives 

Mechanism 

↓ the production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins   - inhibits phospholipase A2 , inhibits expression of COX-2 , will also stimulate the bone marrow to produce neutrophils resulting in leukocytosis 

halts inflammatory cascade 

↓ leukocyte migration
↓ capillary permeability
↓ phagocytosis
↓ platelet-activating factor
↓ interleukins (e.g. IL-2)

may trigger apoptosis in dividing and non-dividing cells

used in cancer chemotherapy

Clinical use

anti-inflammatory
immunosuppression
cancer chemotherapy (prednisone most common)
CLL
Hodgkin's lymphomas
part of MOPP regimen
Addison disease
asthma

Toxicity

1) must taper dose to avoid toxicity
2) suppression of ACTH → shock state if abrupt withdrawal - > cortical atrophy, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fever
3) iatrogenic Cushing  syndrome ->buffalo hump, moon facies, truncal obesity, muscle weakness and atrophy, thin skin, easy bruising, acne
4) osteoporosis - vertebral fractures, aseptic hip necrosis, ↓ skeletal growth in children 
5) hyperglycemia (diabetes) -due to ↑ gluconeogenesis , glaucoma, cataracts, and other complications can subsequently result
6) ↑ GI acid release -ulcers
7) Na+ retention -> edema, HTN, hypokalemia alkalosis, hypocalcemia
8)↓ wound healing
9) ↑ infections
10) mental status changes
11) cataracts

Sympatholytics (Antiadrenergic Agents)

PHENOXYBENZAMINE
It is a potent alpha-adrenergic blocking agent 

It effectively prevents the responses mediated by alpha receptors and diastolic blood pressure tends to decrease.
It interferes with the reflex adjustment of blood pressure and produces postural hypotension. 
It increases the cardiac output and decreases the total peripheral resistance.

It is used in the management of pheochromocytoma and also to treat peripheral vasospastic conditions e.g. Raynaud’s disease and shock syndrome.

Phentolamine, another alpha blocker is exclusively used for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and for the prevention of abrupt rise in blood pressure during surgical removal of adrenal medulla tumors.

ERGOT ALKALOIDS

 Ergotamine is an  important alkaloid that possesses both vasoconstrictor and alpha-receptor blocking activity. Both ergotamine and dihydroergotamine are used in the treatment of migraine.

METHYSERGIDE

It is a 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist ). It is effective in preventing an attack of migraine. 

SUMATRIPTAN

It is a potent selective 5-HT 1D  receptor agonist used in the treatment of migraine.

PRAZOSIN
It is an piperazinyl quinazoline effective in the management of hypertension. It is highly selective for α1  receptors. It also reduces the venous return and cardiac output. It is used in essential hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy and in Raynaud’s syndrome.
Prazosin lowers blood pressure in human beings by relaxing both veins and resistance vessels but it dilates arterioles more than veins.

TERAZOSIN
It is similar to prazosin but has higher bioavailability and longer plasma t½

DOXAZOSIN
It is another potent and selective α1 adrenoceptor antagonist and quinazoline derivative.
It’s antihypertensive effect is produced by a reduction in smooth muscle tone of peripheral vascular beds.

TAMSULOSIN
It is uroselective α1A  blocker and has been found effective in improving BPH symptoms.

Other drugs used for erectile dysfunction

Sildenafil: It is orally active selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 useful in treatment of erectile dysfunction.