Adverse Effects Flashcards
5α reductase inhibitors
finasteride
Antiandrogen action:
Impotence
Reduced libido
Hair growth
Breast cancer (men)
α-blockers
doxazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin
Postural hypotension
Dizziness
Syncope
(Particularly present after first dose)
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
donepezil, rivastigmine
Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
Exacerbation of asthma/COPD
Peptic ulcers, bleeding, bradycardia, heart block
Hallucinations
Altered/aggressive behaviour
Extrapyramidal symptoms & neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine)
IV administration:
Anaphylactoid reaction
Nebulised administration:
Bronchospasm
Activated charcoal
Black stools, vomiting
Aspiration → pneumonitis, bronchospasm, airway obstruction
Intestinal obstruction
Adenosine
Bradycardia
Asystole
Sinking feeling, breathlessness
Sense of impending doom
Adrenaline
epinephrine
After Cardiac arrest:
Adrenaline induced hypertension
Use in conscious patients:
Anxiety, tremor, headaches, palpitations
In those with existing heart disease:
Angina, MI, arrhythmias
Aldosterone antagonists
spironolactone, eplerenone
Hyperkalaemia
Gynaecomastia
Liver impairment + jaundice
Alginates and antacids
gaviscon, peptac
Magnesium salts → diarrhoea
Aluminium salts→ constipation
Allopurinol
Can trigger/worsen acute attack of gout
Skin rash (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (fever, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy)
Aminoglycosides
gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin
Nephrotoxicity (reduce urine output, rising serum creatinine + urea)
Ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo)
Aminosalicylates
mesalazine, sulfasalazine
GI upset
Headache
Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia
Renal impairment
Sulfasalazine:
Oligospermia (reversible)
Serious hypersensitivity reaction
Amiodarone
Hypotension
Lungs (pneumonitis)
Heart (bradycardia, AV block)
Liver (hepatitis)
Skin (photosensitivity, grey discolouration)
Thyroid abnormalities
ACE inhibitors
ramipril, lisinopril, perindopril
Hypotension (particularly after first dose)
Persistent, dry cough (increased bradykinin)
Hyperkalaemia (low aldosterone promotes K retention)
Can cause or worsen renal failure
Angioedema
Anaphylactoid reactions
Angiotensin receptor blockers
losartan, candesartan, irbesartan
Hypotension (particularly after first dose)
Persistent, dry cough (increased bradykinin)
Hyperkalaemia (low aldosterone promotes K retention)
Antidepressants
tricyclics; amitriptyline, lofepramine
GI upset
Changes in appetite/weight loss
Hypersensitivity reactions (inc. rash)
Hyponatraemia
Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
Lower seizure threshold
Prolonged QT interval
Bleeding
Serotonin syndrome
Sudden withdrawal can cause GI upset, neurological and influenza-like symptoms and sleep disturbance
Antidepressants
venlafaxine, mirtazapine
Dry mouth
Sedation
Hypotension
Arrhythmias + ECG changes
Convulsions, hallucinations ad mania
Breast changes
Sexual dysfunction
Extrapyramidal symptoms (rarely)
Dangerous in overdose
Sudden withdrawal can cause GI upset, neurological and influenza-like symptoms and sleep disturbance
Antiemetics - dopamine D2-receptor antagonists
metoclopramide, domperidone
Diarrhoea
Metoclopramide:
Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement abnormalities)
Acute dystonic reaction
Domperidone:
QT-prolongations
Arrhythmias
Antiemetics - histamine H1-receptor antagonists
cyclizine, cinanrizine, promethazine
Drowsiness
Dry throat + mouth
Tachycardia, palpitations
Antiemetics - serotonin 5-HT3-receptor antagonists
ondansetron, granisetron
Rare
Constipation, diarrhoea and headaches can occur
Antifungal drugs
nystatin, clotrimazole, fluconazole
Topical nystatin and clotrimazole:
Local irritation
Oral fluconazole: GI upset Headache Hepatitis Hypersensitivity
Rare: Severe hepatic toxicity Prolonged QT interval, arrhythmias Cutaneous reactions Anaphylaxis
Antihistamines - H1-receptor antagonists)
cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, chlorphenamine
Chorphenamine can cause sedation
Antimotility drugs
loperamide, codeine phosphate
GI effects
Indirectly, risk of opioid toxicity and dependence with codeine
Antimuscarinics - bronchodilators
ipratropium, tiotropoium, glycopyrronium, aclidinium
Irritation to respiratory tract (nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, cough)
GI disturbance (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, headaches)
Antimuscarinics - cardiovascular and GI uses
atropine, hyoscine butylbromide, glycopyrronium
Tachycardia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Urinary retention in patients with BPH
Blurred vision
Drowsiness + confusion
Antimuscarinics - GU uses
oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin
Dry mouth
Tachycardia
Constipation
Blurred vision
Antipsychotics - 1st generation (typical)
haloperidol, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
Extrapyramidal effects:
- Acute dystonic reactions
- Akathisia
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Tardive dyskinesia
Drowsiness Hypotension QT prolongation Arrythmias Hyperprolactinaemia Erectile dysfunction
Antipsychotics - 2nd generation (atypical)
quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine
Sedation
Extrapyramidal effects
Metabolic disturbance
QT prolongation
Arrythmias
Breast symptoms
Sexual dysfunction
Agranulocytosis
Myocarditis
Antiviral drugs
aciclovir
Headache
Dizziness
GI disturbances
Rash
Phlebitis at injection site
Acute renal failure
Antiplatelet drugs - ADP-receptor antagonists
clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel
Bleeding
GI upset
Thrombocytopenia
Antiplatelet drugs
aspirin
GI irritation
Peptic ulceration
Haemorrhage
Bronchospasm
Tinnitus
Life-threatening in overdose
Azathioprine
Bone marrow suppression
Nausea
Hypersensitivity reactions:
- Diarrhoea + vomiting
- Rash
- Fever
- Myalgia
- Hypotension
- Pancreatitis
Veno-occlusive disease
Hepatotoxicity
Lymphoma
β-blockers
bisoprolol, atenolol, propanolol, metoprolol, carvedilol
Fatigue
Cold extremities
Headache
Nausea
Impotence
β2-agonists
salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol, formoterol, indacaterol
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Anxiety
Tremor
Muscle cramps
Benzodiazepines
diazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, midazolam
Drowsiness
Sedation
Coma
Dependence
Withdrawal reaction
Bisphosphonates
alendronic acid, disodium pamidronate, zoledronic acid
Oesophagitis
Hypophosphataemia
Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Atypical femoral fracture
Calcium and vitamin D
calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, colecalciferol, alfacalcidol
Dyspepsia
Constipation
Cardiovascular collapse
Local tissue damage
Calcium channel blockers
amlodipine, nifedipine, dilitiazem, verapamil
Amlodipine + nifedipine:
Ankle swelling
Flushing
Headache
Palpitations
Verapamil:
Constipation
Bradycardia
Heart block
Cardiac failure