Asthma+COPD drugs Flashcards
Doses for montelukast
6 months - 5 years: 4mg OD evening
6-14: 5mg OD evening
15-17, adults: 10mg OD evening
Indications for montelukast
- asthma prophylaxis
- symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis in pt with asthma
Safety info: montelukast
- risk of neuropsychiatric reactions
- e.g. speech impairment, obsessive compulsive symptoms
- read list of neuropsychiatric reactions in PIL and seek immediate medical attention if they occur
- evaluate benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur
Common SE montelukast
- diarrhoea, GI discomfort
- n/v
- headache, fever
- upper RTI
- skin reactions
Churg-Strauss syndrome - montelukast
- rare
- inflammation within small blood vessels which results in blood flow restriction which can cause organ damage throughout body if untreated
- in many of the reported cases, reaction followed reduction or withdrawal of oral CCs
- alert: vasculitis rash, worsening pulmonary symptoms, cardiac complications, peripheral neuropathy
Montelukast in pregnancy and BF
- avoid unless essential
- however can be taken as normal in pregnant women who have shown a significant improvement in asthma not achievable with other drugs before becoming pregnant
Montelukast - how to administer granules
- swallowed or mixed with cold, soft food (NOT LIQUID) and taken immediately
Common side effects of SABAs - salbutamol, terbatuline
arrhythmias
headache
palpitations
tremor
HYPOkalaemia (high doses, if taking other meds that also cause this e.g. CCs and theophylline)
True or false - patients with diabetes who use SABAs and LABAs (b2 adrenoceptor agonists) should have their BG levels monitored because there is a risk of HYPERglycaemia and ketoacidosis, esp when they are given IV
True
Use is cautioned in pt with DM because of this
True or false - susceptibility to QT interval prolongation is a caution for all b2 adrenoceptor agonists
True
Can cause hypokalaemia with high doses and if on other drugs that cause this e.g. CCs and theophylline
Signs of theophylline overdose
- vomiting (can be severe and intractable)
- agitation
- restlessness
- dilated pupils
- sinus tachycardia
- hyperglycaemia
- more serious effects: haematemesis, convulsions, SV and V arrhythmias
- severe hypokalaemia can develop rapidly
Theophylline and smoking -how does smoking affect levels and when are dose adjustments needed
- smoking INCREASES clearance of theophylline so HIGHER doses needed
- adjustments needed if smoking has started or stopped during treatment
A patient on theophylline has mentioned they have started smoking. What does this mean
Smoking INCREASES clearance so INCREASED dose is required
A patient on theophylline mentions that they have finally stopped smoking. What does this mean
Smoking INCREASES clearance so higher dose is needed. If smoking has STOPPED, this means the patient will need a DECREASED dose.
Where is theophylline metabolised?
Liver
plasma theophylline conc is increased in the following (4)
viral infection
HI
HF
elderly