MCQ on antianginal agents: Page-2

Nicorandil acts by opening of potassium channels as well as release of nitric oxide . Hence it acts as both arterial and venous vasodilator. Nitroglycerine is an organic nitrate mainly acts as venous vasodilator. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that mainly produces arteolar vasodilatation.

The order of duration of action and even onPage of action follows the following order. Amylnitrite < Nitroglycerine < Isosorbide dinitrate < Isosorbide mononitrate. But amylnitrite is actually used for cyanide poisoning not for angina.

Nifedipine belongs to dihydropyridines. The suffix dipine indicates that they belongs to dihydropyridines.

Both amlodipine and nifedipine belongs to dihydropyridines. Amlodipine is a long acting dihydropyridine.

Calcium channel blockers chemically belong to three classes. Verapamil is a phenylalkylamine, diltiazem is a benzothiazepine and nifedipine, nimodipine are dihydropyridines. Among these verapamil is selective for cardiac muscle whereas dihydropyridines are selective for smooth muscle. Diltiazem acts on both cardiac as well as smooth muscle.