Help with med for Cardiac Exam - Allopurinal and Angina

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hi folks,

I am studying for an exam and I am trying to make a connection here. I need a simple explanation as to the benefit of Allopurinal & an angina patient. My brain is over worked and the response from my instructor is not sinking in (too much studying)

"Allopurinal inhibits an enzyme which generates free radicals during re-perfusion."

I learn better when I understand function, yet my brain is very full! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Rachel - 2nd year Nursing student

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Specializes in LTC.

I've given Zyloprim in clincal before, but this made me curious so I looked it up in my drug book. I understand that Allopurinol is primarily indicated for preventing gout, and it lowers uric acid levels, so it could have a secondary effect of relieving chest pain. Just by doing a little googling I am getting the impression that there is a connection between uric acid and angina...maybe that's what your instructor was getting at? The enzyme it inhibits is xanthine oxidase. I can't find anything that makes a clear connection between allopurinol and chest pain but it would seem like there is definitely some kind of subtle connection there. Hope you get it figured out..I'm curious now too!

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We are on the same page, I did the looking up in drug guide and found the same... was just hoping to have a more definite explanation.... if I find out more I will post to settle your curiosity too! Thank you for the help!!

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We are on the same page, I did the looking up in drug guide and found the same... was just hoping to have a more definite explanation.... if I find out more I will post to settle your curiosity too! Thank you for the help!!

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=817190

what were you searching on? this came up, first page searching on xanthine oxidase angina....there are more

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Allopurinol reduces myocardial oxygen demand...according to my professor. I personally remembered it for completely incorrect reasons apparently. I thought it was an alpha beta blocker (ilol) I thought it dilated the vessels. Oops!

Hi folks,

I am studying for an exam and I am trying to make a connection here. I need a simple explanation as to the benefit of Allopurinal & an angina patient. My brain is over worked and the response from my instructor is not sinking in (too much studying)

"Allopurinal inhibits an enzyme which generates free radicals during re-perfusion."

I learn better when I understand function, yet my brain is very full! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Rachel - 2nd year Nursing student

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