BASIC - MSK Flashcards
Names of NSAIDs?
Ibuprofen, diclofenac, etoricoxib
Indications of NSAIDs?
- PRN for mild-to-moderate pain
- Regular treatment of pain related inflammation
Mechanism of NSAIDs?
- Inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX
- COX-1 stimulates prostaglandin synthesis essential to preserve gastric mucosa, maintain renal perfusion (by dilating afferent glomerular arterioles) and inhibit thrombus formation at the vascular endothelium
- COX-2 expressed in response to inflammatory stimuli stimulates production of prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain
- Therapeutic benefits of NSAIDs are principally COX-2 inhibition and adverse effects by COX-1 inhibition
- Selective COX-2 inhibitors (e.g. etoricoxib) developed to reduce the adverse effects
Side effects of NSAIDs?
- GI ulcers/gastritis
- Renal impairment
- Increased risk of MI/CVA
- Fluid retention
Interactions of NSAIDs?
- GI Ulceration o Aspirin, corticosteroid - GI bleeding o Anticoagulants, SSRIs, venlafaxine - Renal Impairments o ACEi, diuretics
Contraindications of NSAIDs?
o Severe renal impairment
o Heart Failure
o Liver failure
Cautions of NSAIDs?
o Peptic ulcer disease
o GI bleeds
o CVD
Prescription of NSAIDs?
- Available as tablets, suspensions, gels, suppositories, injectable
- Acute pain treatment should be stopped when resolved
- Taken with food to minimise GI upset
- Can use gastroprotection for patients at increased risk
Names of oral glucocorticoids?
Prednisolone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone
Indications of oral glucocorticoids?
Allergic or inflammatory disorders (anaphylaxis, eczema, asthma, COPD)
Severe croup
Autoimmune disease (IBD, ITP, inflammatory arthritis)
Cancer treatment
Myasthenia Gravis, Polymyalgia rheumatica, GCA, Lupus
Proctitis
Joint injections
Adrenal insufficiency/Hypopituitarism
Mechanism of oral glucocorticoids?
- Bind to cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors which upregulate anti-inflammatory genes and downregulate pro-inflammatory genes (cytokines, TNFa)
- Suppression of circulating monocytes and eosinophils
- Metabolic effects
o Increased gluconeogenesis
o Increased catabolism - Mineralocorticoid effects
o Stimulate Na and water retention and K excretion
Side effects of oral glucocorticoids?
- Immunosuppression
- Diabetes mellitus
- Insomnia, psychosis and suicidal ideas
- Osteoporosis
- Metabolic
o Proximal muscle weakness, skin thinning with easy bruising and gastritis - Mineralocorticoid
o Hypertension, hypokalaemia and oedema - Prolonged
o Adrenal atrophy leading to Addisonian crisis if withdrawn suddenly
Cautions of oral glucocorticoids?
- Infection
- Children (suppress growth)
- Hepatic or Renal impairment
Interactions of oral glucocorticoids?
Risk of peptic ulceration – NSAIDs
Hypokalaemia – B2-agonists, theophylline, loop and thiazide diuretics
Affected by CYP450 enzymes
Prescription of oral glucocorticoids?
o Can be given orally, IM, IV
o OD, taken in the morning to mimic natural circadian rhythm
o Consider use of bisphosphonates and PPIs if long-term and risk
Monitoring of oral glucocorticoids?
o For children – height and weight monitored annually – refer to paediatrician if slow
o Prolonged treatment – HbA1c or DEXA scan
Cessation of oral glucocorticoids?
o Abrupt withdrawal can lead to adrenal insufficiency
o Gradual withdrawal used if treatment >3 weeks, received >40mg, repeated evening doses
Communication of oral glucocorticoids?
o Should feel better in 1-2 days
o Do not stop immediately
o Steroid card to carry round at all times
Indications of methotrexate?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Chemotherapy – e.g. leukaemia, lymphoma and some solid tumours
- Severe psoriasis
Mechanism of methotrexate?
- Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, which converts dietary folic acid to tetrahydrofolate (FH4)
o FH4 needed for DNA and protein synthesis, so lack of it prevents cellular replication
o Actively dividing cells particularly sensitive so good for cancer - Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects
o Inhibition of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF alpha
Side Effects of methotrexate?
- Sore mouth, GI upset (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting)
- Neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia (Agranulocytosis)
- Hepatitis, pneumonitis
- Long term use – hepatic cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis
Contraindications of methotrexate?
- Active infection
- Pregnancy – teratogenic (both men and women taking drug need effective contraception during and for 3 months after stopping treatment
- Severe renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment in non-malignant conditions