A patient Shyam is admitted to the emergency following a drug overdosage with severe tachycardia. He had been receiving therapy for hypertension and angina. Which of the following drugs can cause tachycardia ?
**Core Concept**
The question tests the student's knowledge of pharmacological agents used in the management of hypertension and angina, focusing on their potential to cause **tachycardia** as a side effect. Understanding the mechanisms of action of these drugs is crucial.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Although the options are missing, typically, drugs that can cause tachycardia in this context include those that reflexively increase heart rate as a response to their primary action, such as vasodilators. For instance, **hydralazine**, a vasodilator used in hypertension, can cause reflex tachycardia due to the body's attempt to compensate for the drop in blood pressure.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Would be incorrect if it were a beta-blocker, as these drugs are known to decrease heart rate.
**Option B:** Might be incorrect if it were a calcium channel blocker, which can have variable effects on heart rate but often are used to reduce it in certain contexts.
**Option C:** Could be incorrect if it were an ACE inhibitor, as these generally do not cause tachycardia and can even reduce heart rate in some cases.
**Option D:** Depending on what it is, could be incorrect for similar reasons as above.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that certain antihypertensive drugs can have opposing effects on heart rate, and understanding these effects is crucial for managing patients, especially in overdose situations where **reflex tachycardia** can be a significant concern.
**Correct Answer:** D. Hydralazine