Azithromycin, Tranexamic Acid & Tamsulosin Supply

Question 1

At what age is azithromycin supplied as a P medicine?

Answer 1

> 16 years old

Question 2

When should azithromycin 500mg tablets be given?

Answer 2

Diagnosed chlamydia
>16 years old
Asymptomatic
Treated an infected persons partner

Question 3

What is the clamelle chlamydia service?

Answer 3

Private service where test kits are bought from the pharmacy to test for chlamydia. The test is then posted to the laboratory.

Question 4

What is the dosing of azithromycin 500mg?

Answer 4

1g as a single dose

Question 5

What is detected in the test kit for chlamydia?

Answer 5

It detects the nucleic acid of the chlamydia trachomatis bacterium.

Question 6

What should pharmacists who are participating in the Clamelle chlamydia service must always do?

Answer 6

They should record any sale/supply of azithromycin on the Clamelle database.
The patients result should also be logged.

Question 7

How can a patient avoid a false-negative result for chlamydia testing?

Answer 7

By purchasing a test kit 2 weeks after having sexual intercourse

Question 8

How can a patient avoid a false-positive result for chlamydia testing?

Answer 8

They should not test again within 6 weeks after their treatment is completed, as their test can still show positive.

Dead DNA could be present which can cause this, otherwise the infection could be eradicated.

Question 9

How long after chlamydia treatment should patients avoid having sexual intercourse?

Answer 9

1 week after the treatment is completed

Question 10

What are OTC tranexamic acid 500mg tablets used for?

Answer 10

For heavy menstrual bleeding for >18 years old with regular period cycles

Question 11

What risk can increase when taking tranexamic acid?

Answer 11

Since it is an anti-fibrinolysis agent, risks of clots can occur.

Question 12

When should you refer a patient if they wish to purchase tranexamic acid?

Answer 12

<18 or >45 years old
Obese
Diabetic
Women with PCOS
Breastfeeding
Patients taking oral contraceptives
On warfarin/other anticoagulants
Women taking it for >3 cycles with no difference

Question 13

What are the dosing directions for tranexamic acid?

Answer 13

x2 500mg tablets TDS for a max. of 4 days

So 6 tablets a day

Question 14

Which side effect of tranexamic acid would require the woman to stop taking it?

Answer 14

Visual disturbances

Question 15

What is OTC 400mcg tamsulosin used for?

Answer 15

It is used to treat the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in males 45-75years old

Also known as an enlarged prostate

Question 16

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Answer 16

Difficulty in urinating
Urinating longer/more frequently
Night time waking to urinate

Question 17

What is the dosing of tamsulosin 400mcg?

Answer 17

1 capsule daily after meals

Question 18

What type of drug is tamsulosin, and what other condition can it be used for?

Answer 18

It is an alpha blocker, also used as a last resort for resistant hypertension.

Question 19

What is the mechanism of action of tamsulosin?

Answer 19

It relaxes the smooth muscles, producing an increased urinary flow rate & an improvement in obstructive symptoms.

Question 20

What type of drug should not be given with tamsulosin?

Answer 20

Anticholinergics, since they produce opposite effects.

Question 21

What are some side effects of tamsulosin?

Answer 21

Lowered BP
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Oedema
Palpitations
Blurred vision

Question 22

What information should you ask before supplying tamsulosin?

Answer 22

Age - must be 45-75 years old
Symptoms
If their symptoms have been for <3 months
Any other conditions/medications

Question 23

How long should the initial tamsulosin treatment be?

Answer 23

2 weeks

Question 24

If the patient is seeing an improvement in their BPH symptoms within 2 weeks of treatment, what should you do?

Answer 24

Supply a further 4 weeks

Question 25

If the patients BPH symptoms have not been resolved after 2 weeks of treatment, what should you do?

Answer 25

Refer

Question 26

At what point should the patient visit their GP after starting tamsulosin treatment?

Answer 26

Within 6 weeks of starting treatment

Question 27

If a GP has confirmed a patient has BPH after 6 weeks OTC treatment, how many weeks of supply of tamsulosin can you give?

Answer 27

You can supply for a further 6 weeks

Question 28

When should you refer a patient who wishes to purchase tamsulosin?

Answer 28

Symptoms have been for <3 months
Patient has had prostate surgery
Problems with their kidney/liver/heart
Pain on urination
Fever
Bloody/cloudy urine
Incontinence

Question 29

What lifestyle advice can you give to a patient to alleviate symptoms of BPH?

Answer 29

Avoid liquid 1-2h before bed
Reduce alcohol/caffeine intake
Exercise
Increase fruit/fibre
Avoid cold/allergy medicines