Central Nervous System Flashcards
Name the 5 types of dementia
- Alzheimer’s (50%)
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia with lewy bodies
- Mixed dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
Name the class of drugs and 3 examples within them that are used as first-line as monotherapy to treat mild-moderate Alzheimer’s?
Anticholineesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) as monotherapy are first-line treatment for mild-moderate Alzheimer’s. Three examples of AChEIs include:
- Donepezil
- Galantamine
- Rivastigmine
Which drug is described by the following?
- I can be used as an alternative to AChEIs in patients with moderate Alzheimer’s
- I can be used in addition to AChEIs in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s
- I am used as the first-line for severe Alzheimer’s
Memantine hydrochloride [NMDA Glutamine Receptor Antagonist]
The following 3 questions relate to the treatment of mild-to-moderate dementia with Lewy bodies
- Which 2 AChEIs can be used as first line treatment for mild-to-moderate dementia with Lewy bodies?
- Which AChEI is used if these to are not tolerated?
- Which drug is used if AChEIs are contra-indicated/not tolerated altogether?
- Donepezil & Rivastigmine
- Galantamine
- Memantine
Name the TWO classes of drugs used to treat vascular dementia in patients who have suspected co-morbid Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies?
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
2. Memantine hydrochloride
The following 2 questions relate to the management of frontotemporal dementia:
- Which TWO drugs are NOT RECOMMENDED to treat frontotemporal dementia?
- Is there a cure? If so, what is it? If not, what drugs are used for symptoms relief?
- AChEIs & Memantine are NOT recommended to treat frontotemporal dementia
- NO CURE — antidepressants or antipsychotics can be used to relieve symptoms
Some commonly prescribed drugs are associated with anticholinergic burden and, therefore, cognitive impairment so their use should be minimised. The following drug classes cause antimuscarnic effects:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Antipsychotics
- Urinary spasmodics
Name TWO drugs from each of these drug classes which cause antimuscarinic effects
Drugs that cause antimuscarinic effects include:
- Antidepressants — Amitriptyline & Paroxetine
- Antihistamines — Chlorphenamine & Promethazine
- Antipsychotics — Olanzapine & Quetiapine
- Urinary spasmodics — Solifenacin & Tolteradine
Cholinergic side effects (parasymphatomimetic) can be memorised using the acronym: DUMB BELS.
What does each letter of this acronym stand for?
D — Diarrhoea
U — Urination
M — Muscle weakness, muscle cramps and miosis (pupil constriction)
B — Bronchospasm
B — Bradycardia
E — Emesis (vomiting)
L — Lacrimation (teary eyes)
S — Salivation/Sweating
Below is a description of a disease-specific patient group:
Dementia patients who carry a risk of harming themselves or others, or experiencing severe non-cognitive symptoms (e.g., agitation, hallucinations or delusions) that cause severe distress.
The following 3 questions relate this this group:
- Which drug class should be offered to such patients?
- Which dose and duration should be offered?
- How often should the patient be reviewed whilst on this class of medication?
- Which 2 types of dementia should this medication be avoided as they worsen motor symptoms?
- Antipsychotics
- Lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible
- Review every 6 weeks
- Dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson’s disease dementia [Antipsychotics worsen motor symptoms]
The following 2 questions relate to the MHRA advice regarding antipsychotics and dementia:
- What is the MHRA Warning associated with the use of antipsychotics in elderly dementia patients?
- What is the advice from the MHRA with regards to using antipsychotics in elderly dementia patients?
- Increased risk of stroke & death when antipsychotics are used in elderly patients with dementia
- The MHRA Advice is as follows:A) Risks and benefits should be assessed, including any previous history or stroke/TIA and any risk factors of cerebrovascular disease e.g., hypertension, diabetes, smoking & AFB) Use antipsychotics at the lowest possible dose for the shortest time and reviewed every 6 weeks.
The following questions relate to the management of non-cognitive symptoms of dementia:
- Name 2 drug classes used to treat extreme violence, aggression & agitation
- Name 3 drugs used to treat these symptoms if I.M administration is needed for behavioural control
- Benzodiazepines (Oral) or Antipsychotics
2. Haloperidol, Olanzapine & Lorazepam can be given I.M for behavioural control
The following questions relate to antiepileptic dose frequency
- How often are most antiepileptics given on a daily basis?
- Which antiepileptics are given once daily?
- Most antiepileptics are given twice daily (BD)
- LP3 (LP = Long period) relates to antiepileptics which are given once a day and include:L - Lamotrigine
P - Perampanel
P - Phenobarbital
P - Phenytoin
What are the 2 MHRA Warnings for anti-epileptics
- RISK OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS & BEHAVIOUR! [1 week after starting]
- DON’T SWITCH BRANDS for category 1 anti-epileptics
[Epilepsy ONLY! Phenobarbital doesn’t need to be prescribed by brand if being used for bipolar]
List the 4 anti-epileptics that cannot be switched between different brands due to an associated risk of hypersensitivity syndrome
CPR3
C - Carbamazepine [Tegretol, Carbagen (Retard and IR)]
P - Phenytoin [Epanutin]
P - Phenobarbital
P - Primidone
List the category of which the following anti-epileptics are classified
- Valproate, Lamotrigine, Topiramate, Clobazam (SLS for epilepsy) & Clonazepam
- Levetiracetam, Brivaracetam, Ethosuximide, Vigabatrin, Tiagabine, Gabapentin & Pregabalin
- Category 2
2. Category 3
List the 8 anti-epileptics which are associated with anti-epileptic hypersensitivity syndrome
Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Primidone (CPR3), Rufinamide, Lamotrigine, Lacosamide & Oxcarbazepine
The following questions relate to anti-epileptic hypersensitivity syndrome
- List the 3 main symptoms of anti-epileptic hypersensitivity syndrome
- What period of time do the symptoms usually start between?
- What action should be taken if a patient experiences the symptoms?
- Fever, rash, & lymphadenopathy (swollen or enlarged lymph nodes)
- 1-8 weeks after starting [monitor in first 2 weeks]
- Withdrawal immediately
The following questions relate to the withdrawal of anti-epileptics
- Which 2 classes of anti-epileptics carry the risk of rebound seizures & how long should they be withdrawn?
- How many drugs can be withdrawal at one given time?
- List the following for other anti-epileptics: withdrawal duration, daily dose reduction (%) and frequency
- Benzodiazepines (>6 months) and Barbiturates (months)
- ONE
- Withdraw gradually over 2-3 months by reducing daily dose by 10-25% every 1-2 weeks
You are a pharmacist at a GP practice. There are 2 patients in your room. The first one has had their first unprovoked epileptic seizure and the other has had a single isolated seizure. What advice will you will give to them regarding their driving?
A) You must not drive for 12 months; you may drive if deemed fit to by a specialist as fit undergone investigations which do not suggest a risk of further seizures
B) You must not drive for 9 months; you may drive if deemed fit to by a specialist as fit undergone investigations which do not suggest a risk of further seizures
C) You must not drive for 6 months; you may drive if deemed fit to by a specialist as fit undergone investigations which do not suggest a risk of further seizures
C) Patients who have had a first unprovoked epileptic seizure or a single isolated seizure must not drive for 6 months; driving may then be resumed, provided the patient has been assessed by a specialist as fit to drive and investigations do not suggest a risk of further seizures.
How long does a patient with established epilepsy need to be seizure-free for and what other criteria applies to this, if any?
1 year for established epilepsy patients for the following:
- Seizure-free for 1 year
- Established seizure pattern for 1 year where no influence on consciousness or ability to act
- No history of unprovoked seizures
- 1 year wait in those who have had a seizure due to a prescribed change/withdrawal (earlier if treatment reinstated for 6 months & no further seizures)
- Seizure whilst asleep [2 exceptions]
You are working remotely as a PCN pharmacist for a GP surgery. On your calls list today is an epilepsy patient who would like to to discuss the possibility of driving. You see on their PMR that they have a history of seizures whilst asleep.
What are the 2 exceptions that would make it permissible for this patient to drive despite having seizures whilst asleep?
- History of no awake seizures for 1 year from the first sleep seizure
- If previous awake seizure — established pattern of sleep seizures for 3 years
List the 3 main recommendations the DVLA have made to ban driving for epilepsy patients.
Driving is banned for the following:
- During medication changes or withdrawal
- 6 months after last dose
- 6 months for first unprovoked epileptic seizure or single isolated seizure (5 years for large goods or taxi)
Fill in the gaps for the statement below.
A pregnant woman who suffers from epilepsy is at an increased risk of ………….. especially in the ….. trimester and particularly if the patient is taking ……… anti-epileptic drugs.
- Teratogenicity
- First
- Two or more
Name 5 anti-epileptics that require dose adjustments in pregnancy?
CPR3 & Lamotrigine
- Carbamazepine
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Lamotrigine