Q3. Please discuss the mechanism of action of each of the drugs you listed

 

Amlodipine, also known by its generic name, is marketed under the brand

name Norvasc. This medication falls under the classification of calcium channel

blockers (Bulsara & Cassagnol, 2023). The initial recommended dosage for this

medication is: For adult individuals, it is recommended to initiate treatment with a

daily dosage of 5 mg during the initial week. The dosage is determined on an

individualized basis and may be increased following a minimum of 1-2 weeks of

utilization. The recommended dosage limit is 10 milligrams per day, to be taken

once. The recommended initial dosage for the elderly population is 2.5 mg

administered once daily during the first week.

The generic name for the medication is sodium hydrochlorothiazide,

commonly known by the brand name Microzide (Herman & Bashir, 2022). It

belongs to the class of medications known as thiazides. The initial recommended

dose for this medication is as follows: Adult: The recommended starting dose is

12.5 mg per day, which can be gradually increased up to a maximum of 50 mg per

day as necessary. This medication can be taken alone or in conjunction with other

antihypertensive drugs. The dosage is individualized based on the specific

requirements of the patient and may be adjusted accordingly in response to their

medical condition. The prescribed dosage limit is 100 milligrams per day.

Individuals who are over the age of 65 The recommended starting dose is 12.5 mg

per day, with the option to adjust the dosage in increments of 12.5 mg as necessary

until the desired therapeutic outcome is attained.

Q3. Please discuss the mechanism of action of each of the drugs you listed.

The mechanism of action of Hydrochlorothiazide involves the inhibition of

sodium chloride transport specifically in the distal convoluted tubule (Herman &

Bashir, 2022). Subsequently, a greater amount of sodium is eliminated through

renal excretion, along with a corresponding volume of fluid. The onset of

pharmacological effects typically occurs approximately two hours following oral

administration, reaching its peak at around four hours, and maintaining its efficacy

for a duration of approximately six to twelve hours. Hydrochlorothiazide

undergoes minimal metabolic transformation, with the majority of the compound

being eliminated in its original form through renal excretion. Furthermore, it leads

to a depletion of potassium and bicarbonate.

Amlodipine functions through the mechanism of voltage-dependent L-type

calcium channel blockade, leading to the inhibition of the initial calcium influx

(Bulsara & Cassagnol, 2023). A decrease in intracellular calcium levels results in a

reduction in the contractility of vascular smooth muscle, leading to an increase in

smooth muscle relaxation and subsequent vasodilation.