2. Match the names of drugs with the effects they produce.

1 anaesthetics	a prevent or relieve convulsions
2 analgesics	b destroy bacteria and other microorganisms
3 anticoagulants	c abolish the sensation of pain
4 anticonvulsants	d cause dilation of the airway
5 antiseptics	e cause bowel movement
6 bronchodilators	f alleviate pain
7 diuretics	g prevent blood clotting
8 laxatives	h cause dilation of blood vessels
9 sedatives	i increase the excretion of urine
10 vasodilators	j diminish excitement

3. Translate the following into Ukrainian.

1. Digitalis glycosides are used to treat patients with heart failure.

2. An important effect of digitalis glycosides is strengthening of the myocardium.

3. Quinidine is a primary drug used to treat arrhythmias.

4. Vasoconstrictors are used in treating blood vessel diseases.

5. Vasoconstrictors act directly on the muscles of blood vessels.

6. Diuretic promotes excretion of fluid.

7. Nitrites dilate all smooth muscles in the body.

4. Match the words with their definitions.

1 drug	a protein enhancing chemical
2 glands	b substance having an opposite effect
3 root	c drug against microorganisms
4 antidote	d the endocrine organs
5 antibiotic	e plant organ
6 DNA	f medicine
7 enzyme	g substance containing all the genetic information

Cardiovascular Drugs

Cardiovascular drugs may be divided into three groups: drugs that affect the heart; drugs that affect blood pressure; and drugs that pre­vent blood clotting.

Drugs that affect the heart. Drugs may affect the heart in two ma<|

jor ways: changing the rate and forcefulness of heartbeat. I

The most common drugs used to change the rate and forcefulnesi of the heartbeat are digitalis glycosides (cardiac glycosides). The» drugs are used to treat patients in heart failure (when the heart is not contracting with sufficient force). Most digitalis glycosides are obi tained from the leaf of the digitalis (foxglove) plant. Important effect! of digitalis glycosides are strengthening of the myocardium (heart muscle) and slowing of the rate of heart contraction. Examples oi digitalis are digoxin and digitoxin. 1

Other drugs, which belong to the general class of sympathomimet*! ics are used to increase heart rate and the force of contraction. Thesfljf include isoproterenol and epinephrine.

Drugs used to correct abnormal heart rhythm are called anti- arrhythmics. Examples of these drugs are quinine, procainamide, lido-l caine and propranolol.

Drugs that affect blood pressure. Vasodilators are drugs which relax the muscles of vessel walls. The blood flows more freely and blood pressure falls as blood vessels open and become dilated. Examples of nitrite drugs are nitroglycerin and amylnitrite. Nitroglycerin dilates all smooth muscles in the body including the muscles of the coronary blood vessels. The pain (angina pectoris) caused by a lack of adequate blood flow to the heart is relieved by placing nitroglycerin under the* tongue. I

A third type of drugs used to lower blood pressure is called a di-1 uretic, an agent which promotes excretion of fluid. An example of this I type of drug is chlorothiazide (Diuril).

Vasoconstrictors are drugs which constrict muscle fibres around blood vessel opening. Vasoconstrictors are needed to raise blood pres­sure, increase the force of heart action and stop local bleeding. Ex­amples of vasoconstrictor drugs are epinephrine (adrenaline), vasopres­sin and aramine (metaraminol).

Drugs that prevent blood clotting. These drugs are called anticoagu­lants. They are used to prevent the formation of clots in veins and arteries. Heparin is an anticoagulant chemical substance. When given intravenously, heparin prevents the formation of clots within vessels. Aspirin is the most widely used anticoagulant.