Azithromycin, Tranexamic Acid & Tamsulosin Supply Flashcards
At what age is azithromycin supplied as a P medicine?
> 16 years old
When should azithromycin 500mg tablets be given?
Diagnosed chlamydia
>16 years old
Asymptomatic
Treated an infected persons partner
What is the clamelle chlamydia service?
Private service where test kits are bought from the pharmacy to test for chlamydia. The test is then posted to the laboratory.
What is the dosing of azithromycin 500mg?
1g as a single dose
What is detected in the test kit for chlamydia?
It detects the nucleic acid of the chlamydia trachomatis bacterium.
What should pharmacists who are participating in the Clamelle chlamydia service must always do?
They should record any sale/supply of azithromycin on the Clamelle database.
The patients result should also be logged.
How can a patient avoid a false-negative result for chlamydia testing?
By purchasing a test kit 2 weeks after having sexual intercourse
How can a patient avoid a false-positive result for chlamydia testing?
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.
How long after chlamydia treatment should patients avoid having sexual intercourse?
1 week after the treatment is completed
What are OTC tranexamic acid 500mg tablets used for?
For heavy menstrual bleeding for >18 years old with regular period cycles
What risk can increase when taking tranexamic acid?
Since it is an anti-fibrinolysis agent, risks of clots can occur.
When should you refer a patient if they wish to purchase tranexamic acid?
<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
What are the dosing directions for tranexamic acid?
x2 500mg tablets TDS for a max. of 4 days
So 6 tablets a day
Which side effect of tranexamic acid would require the woman to stop taking it?
Visual disturbances
What is OTC 400mcg tamsulosin used for?
It is used to treat the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in males 45-75years old
Also known as an enlarged prostate
What are the symptoms of BPH?
Difficulty in urinating
Urinating longer/more frequently
Night time waking to urinate
What is the dosing of tamsulosin 400mcg?
1 capsule daily after meals
What type of drug is tamsulosin, and what other condition can it be used for?
It is an alpha blocker, also used as a last resort for resistant hypertension.
What is the mechanism of action of tamsulosin?
It relaxes the smooth muscles, producing an increased urinary flow rate & an improvement in obstructive symptoms.
What type of drug should not be given with tamsulosin?
Anticholinergics, since they produce opposite effects.
What are some side effects of tamsulosin?
Lowered BP
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Oedema
Palpitations
Blurred vision
What information should you ask before supplying tamsulosin?
Age - must be 45-75 years old
Symptoms
If their symptoms have been for <3 months
Any other conditions/medications
How long should the initial tamsulosin treatment be?
2 weeks
If the patient is seeing an improvement in their BPH symptoms within 2 weeks of treatment, what should you do?
Supply a further 4 weeks
If the patients BPH symptoms have not been resolved after 2 weeks of treatment, what should you do?
Refer
At what point should the patient visit their GP after starting tamsulosin treatment?
Within 6 weeks of starting treatment
If a GP has confirmed a patient has BPH after 6 weeks OTC treatment, how many weeks of supply of tamsulosin can you give?
You can supply for a further 6 weeks
When should you refer a patient who wishes to purchase tamsulosin?
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
What lifestyle advice can you give to a patient to alleviate symptoms of BPH?
Avoid liquid 1-2h before bed
Reduce alcohol/caffeine intake
Exercise
Increase fruit/fibre
Avoid cold/allergy medicines
