Medications are usually taken to correct a physical or psychiatric condition. Often, they correct an abnormality or imbalance in the body. Three common types of drugs include blood pressure medications, depression medications and diabetes medications. These should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Some of these drugs require ongoing laboratory testing or checking of vital signs and all carry the risk of side effects.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, inhibitors are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, other cardiovascular conditions and a type of kidney disease known as diabetic nephropathy. Angiotensins are small compounds that constrict blood vessels, making them narrow inside. ACE inhibitor medications work by blocking angiotensin-converting enzymes, present in the lungs, from turning angiotensin I--a compound that doesn't narrow the blood vessels--into angiotensin II--a compound that does narrow the blood vessels. This prevents constriction of blood vessels, which has the effect of lowering blood pressure. Some examples of ACE inhibitors are lisinopril, captopril, enalopril and fosinopril, explains the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide."
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are prescribed to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other conditions. They work by altering the pattern of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that play a role in the development of depression and other psychiatric conditions. Specifically, tricyclic antidepressants alter the transmission of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. It is theorized that the medication normalizes the levels of these brain chemicals, alleviating depression and other conditions. Some examples of tricyclic antidepressants are doxepin, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, desipramine and imipramine, according to MayoClinic.com.
Antidiabetics
Antidiabetics are medications used to treat diabetes mellitus type I and diabetes mellitus type II. The body needs insulin to convert glucose into energy the cells can use; in a person with diabetes the body either doesn't produce enough insulin, doesn't produce any insulin or doesn't properly use insulin. Antidiabetic medicines correct the condition by supplying insulin, helping the body make insulin or performing another function that corrects the high blood glucose found in diabetes. Some antidiabetic medications are insulin, glipizide, metformin, tolbutamide and glyburide, relates the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide."
References
- "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide"; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: High Blood Pressure: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
- American Diabetes Association: Living With Diabetes: Medication
- MayoClinic.com: Depression: Tricyclic Antidepressants
