Assessment consultation Flashcards

1
Q

What is the medication?

A

Aciclovir 200mg tablets

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2
Q

What is acyclovir?

A

Anti viral medication - stops the herpes simplex virus from spreading (cold sore)

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3
Q

what is herpes simplex?

A

Very contagious virus (a cold sore) - affects many people & activated by many things e.g stress, fatigue, menstrual cycle, kissing

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4
Q

Dosage regimen

A

200mg (1 tablet), 5 times a day for 5 days

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5
Q

Missed dose advice

A

If miss a dose - don’t double up to make up for the missed dose. If forget - take the tablet as soon as remember and then take the next dose at the right time.

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6
Q

Side effects

A

Dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, photosensitivity, drowsiness - may not affect but to be aware of (ensure drowsiness not affected before driving/operating machinery). Also potential for allergic reaction i.e swelling of the lips, tongue, face, rash - stop taking and see Dr asap (to provide different medication) but worse case.

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7
Q

Drug interactions

A
Theophylline - severe asthma 
Methotrexate - Rheu arthritis 
Naproxen 
Trimethoprim
Ibuprofen 
(all increase risk of nephrotoxicity)
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8
Q

Check for medical conditions

A
Renal impairment (kidneys) - caution taken, drink plenty of water and maintain adequate hydration. How severe? if severe then dose changed. 
Immunocompromised (increase dose)
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9
Q

Allergies?

A

Food & medicinal

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10
Q

Warnings?

A

Avoid dehydration!!!! - always drink plenty of water whilst on this medication

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11
Q

Lifestyle advice

A

Do they know what makes it flare up? Remove triggers, wash hands, don’t touch eyes or cold sore, reduce kissing, avoid picking scabs, avoid sharing medication/cutlery. If a woman=change cosmetic as it has probably spread. If it is sun - use an SPF lip balm.
For the pain they can also use paracetamol/ibuprofen.
Also - do not use anti itch products on the skin e.g crotamiton - all will do is spread the infection.

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12
Q

Other medication interactions - warnings

A

Cimetidine- peptic ulcers, probenecid - gout - these 2 increase the concentration of acyclovir in the blood leading to overdose.
Mycophenolate mofetil - if high doses of aciclovir they can increase the levels of these in blood.
Ciclosporin- immunosuppressant drug - dr needs to monitor kidney function
Theophylline- severe asthma
- Zidovudine- HIV

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13
Q

Dosage -2

A

take with or without food with water. 5 times a day at approx 4 hourly intervals for 5 days.
If they have difficulty swallowing tablets - can disperse them in a glass of water at least 50ml which should be stored before drinking.

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14
Q

How to start the consultation?

A

Check they’re picking up for themselves, check patient details (name and address) - explain the purpose of the consultation e.g you’ve been prescribed acyclovir 200mg tabs - just want to take a few mins of time to go over some information regarding the medicine to ensure you get the best out of it. Is that ok?
Also - do you have anything you want to talk about with me or any concerns?
Have you had this medication before?

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