Adverse effects, monitoring and proper use of medications Flashcards
Name the mechanism of action for cyclosporine.
- What does it form a complex with and what does it inhibit?
- What is its ultimate effect on cytokines and immune cells?
- Forms complex with cyclophilin, inhibiting calcineurin (an intracellular enzyme) and decreasing activity of NFAT-1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells)
- Leads to decreased IL-2 production and activity of T-cells
What weight should be used for calculating the cyclosporine starting dose?
Ideal body weight
What is the maximum daily dermatologic dose for cyclosporine?
- What is the maximum duration of therapy?
5 mg/kg/day for up to 1 year
What are indications for cyclosporine?
- What is it FDA approved and the treatment of choice for?
- What are other off label uses?
- FDA approved for psoriasis
- Treatment of choice for erythrodermic psoriasis (along with infliximab)
- Off-label uses are many and include atopic dermatitis, neutrophilic dermatoses (e.g., pyoderma gangrenosum), lichen planus, bullous dermatoses, connective tissue diseases and pityriasis rubra pilaris
What are the notable side effects associated with cyclosporine?
- How does it affect the kidneys, gums, blood and skin?
- What does it increase the risk of in psoriasis patients?
- Nephrotoxicity
- Known increased risk of NMSC in psoriasis patients
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Electrolyte derangements (uric acid, Mg, K)
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertrichosis
What are ways to reduce the risk of cyclosporine’s side effects?
- Dosage?
- When do you dose adjust?
- Duration?
- Use dermatologic doses (i.e., 2.5 to 5 mg/kg/day)
- Dose adjust when Cr increases by 30%
- Do not use for longer than 1 year
What is the preferred treatment for cyclosporine-associated hypertension?
- Why are they the preferred treatment?
Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine or isradipine)
- Because CCBs do not alter cyclosporine serum levels!
What should be monitored while on cyclosporine?
- What physical exam finding and labs?
- What baseline lab work should be obtained?
- Blood pressure
- Cr
- Obtain baseline CBC, BMP, Mg, uric acid, LFTs and fasting lipid profile
What is the mechanism of action for methotrexate?
- What does it inhibit and prevent the conversion of?
- Competitively inhibits dihydrofolate (DHF) reductase, blocking folic acid
- Prevents conversion of DHF to THF, which is needed to make purines
- Inhibits cell division
What (2) medications is used for rescue of high-dose methotrexate adverse effects or overdose?
- These medications bypases what enzyme?
- Leucovorin (folinic acid), a naturally occurring version of folate (vitamin B9), or thymidine
- These medications bypasses DHF reductase (which is inhibited by methotrexate).
True or false:
According to a recent Cochrane review, co-administration of folates and methotrexate REDUCES the efficacy of methotrexate.
False
What cumulative dose of methotrexate triggers concern for hepatic fibrosis?
- What special populations should you be extra careful with?
- Greater than 1.5 to 4 grams, especially for those with liver disease, hepatitis, alcohol abuse or psoriasis
What is the gold standard to assess for methotrexate-induced hepatic fibrosis?
- What may be considered in special populations prior to starting methotrexate?
Liver biopsy
- A pretreatment liver biopsy may be considered in those with baseline transaminitis, liver disease, heritable liver disease, diabetes, obesity, alcohol use or concurrent use of other hepatotoxic drugs.
What are indications for the use of methotrexate?
- What is it FDA approved for? (2)
- What are other off label uses?
- FDA approved for severe or recalcitrant psoriasis and Sezary syndrome
- Off label use includes pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), LyP, mycosis fungoides, bullous dermatoses, connective tissue diseases, sarcoidosis and cutaneous vasculitis
What are absolute contraindications for the use of methotrexate? (2)
- Pregnancy (category X)
- Breastfeeding
What are the notable side effects of methotrexate use?
- How does it affect the lungs? Blood?
- Kidneys? Skin? Bone marrow?
- What other notable “reactions” may occur?
- Acute pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis
- Pancytopenia within first 4-6 weeks
- GI upset
- Nephrotoxicity
- Phototoxicity
- Myelosuppression (especially when used with other agents that inhibit folic acid metabolism, including sulfonamides, or increase methotrexate plasma levels, including tetracyclines, anticonvulsants and NSAIDs)
- UV and radiation recall reactions
What are important lab monitoring points for methotrexate?
- What should be obtained initially?
- CBC with diff
- BMP
- LFTs
- Viral hepatitis panel (initially)
Methotrexate can rarely cause what classic cutaneous reaction?
UV and radiation recall reactions
- Radiation recall ranges from sunburn-like erythema to necrosis, ulceration and bleeding
What is the mechanism of action of retinoids?
- What does it bind to?
- What does it inhibit?
- Binds cytosolic retinoid binding protein, which is transported to the nucleus, where it binds nuclear receptors, especially RAR-gamma of keratinocytes
- Inhibits AP1, NF-IL-6 and TLR2 (all important in inflammation)
How do topical retinoids affect the layers of the skin?
- How do they affect the epidermis?
- What do they increase in the dermis?
- Increase thickness of stratum corneum
- Epidermal hyperplasia
- Correction of atypia
- Disperse melanin granules (increasing pigment uniformity)
- Increase dermal collagen I
- Increase papillary dermal elastic fibers
- Increase hyaluronic acid
What nuclear factors and cytokines are affected by retinoids?
- What do they inhibit?
- What do they increase/decrease?
- Inflammation is decreased by inhibiting AP1, NF-IL-6 and TLR-2
- Increases Th1 cytokines and decreases Th2 cytokines (helpful in CTCL)
What are the notable mucocutaneous side effects associated with systemic retinoids?
- How might they affect the nose and lips?
- What special lesions may occur?
- S. aureus colonization of nasal mucosa in isotretinoin patients
- Pyogenic granuloma-like lesions
- Cheilitis (dry lips)
- Photosensitivity
What are the notable systemic side effects of systemic retinoids?
- How might they affect the CNS? Blood? Bones?
- Pseudotumor cerebri (especially when co-administered with tetracyclines)
- Pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)
What is the most common lab abnormality associated with systemic retinoids?
- When should you discontinue them?
Hyperlipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia
- Discontinue if fasting TGs > 800 mg/dL because of pancreatitis risk

