CH2: CARDIO DRUGS Flashcards
what drugs are used in rate control?
1st line - Beta-blockers (except Sotalol)
CCB (only non-dihydropyridines) - verapamil and diltiazem
what drugs are used in rhythm control?
FAB
Flecainide
Amiodarone
Beta-blockers (1st line)
state the MoA of digoxin for AF
- a positive inotropic drug, which means that it increases the force of the heartbeat + decreases the heart rate
- is a narrow therapeutic drug
what is digoxin used for
- non-paraxysamol AF
- atrial flutter
- sedentary patients
- AF accompanied by heart failure (for sinus rhythm
- can use if other rate control medications are not tolerated or suitable
- in combination with beta-blocker if the LVEF <40%
state the drugs that cause QT prolongation (torsade de pointes)
- Sotalol
- Amiodarone
- Quinolones
- Haloperidol
- SSRIs
- TCAs
- Anti-fungals
- macrolides
state the anti-arrhythmic drugs with examples
- Class 1: membrane stabilising drugs (Na + channel blockers)
e.g. flecainide, lidocaine - Class 2: Beta-blockers
- Class 3: K+ channel blockers
e.g. amiodarone, sotalol - Class 4: rate limiting Ca2+ channel blockers
e.g. verapamil, diltiazem
state the loading dose regimen for Amiodarone
200mg TDS for 7 days
200mg BD for 7 days
state the maintenance dose regimen for Amiodarone
200mg OD for 7 days
contra-indications for amiodarone
- pts with bradycardia
- pts with heart block
briefly explain the side effects of amiodarone
‘TCHD-P2’
- Thyroid disorders = cause hypo/hyperthyroidism due to iodine contents
- Corneal microdeposits
- reversible on withdrawal
- STOP if vision is impaired
- Hepatotoxicity
- STOP if pt shows signs of liver disease; jaundice or abdominal pain
- Driving & skilled tasks = microdeposits may lead to blurred visions
- Photosensitivity toxicity
- Avoid sunlight
- wear sunscreen at all times even after 50 days of drug withdrawal
- Cause slate grey skin
- Pulmonary toxicity = to report on new-onset of cough or SOB
monitoring parameters of amiodarone
- LFTs = before treatment & 6 months after
- Thyroid tests = before treatment & 6 months after
- Serum potassium levels = before treatment
- ECG & Transamineses levels = if using any IV
- Chest X-rays = before treatment
- Annual eye examination
name the drug-causing interactions of amiodarone
- drugs that cause hypokalemia
- drugs that cause QT prolongation
name the drugs that amiodarone increases their plasma concentrations & their risks.
- warfarin = enhances its anti-coagulant effect
- pheytoin
- ciclosporin
- digoxin = take half dose if taking with amiodarone
state the cause that leads to the drug interaction between:
Amiodarone + Lithium
risk of ventricular arrhthymias
state the cause that leads to the drug interaction between:
Amiodarone + Statins
risk of myopathy
state the cause that leads to the drug interaction between:
Amiodarone + Beta blockers
- risk of brady cardia, myocardial depression and AC block
state the names of drugs that require close monitoring even after withdrawal of amiodarone.
- sofosovir
- daclatasivir
- simeprevir
- ledipasvir
due to risk of heart block
what is the loading dose of digoxin?
adult - 125mcg to 250mcg OD (long half life)
monitoring requirements for digoxin
samples are taken every 6-12 hours after the dose.
1. plasma digoxin concentration
2. renal function
3. serum electrolytes (Na, Ca, Mg, K levels)
what is the desired therapeutic range for digoxin?
0.7ng/ml to 2ng/ml
what digoxin ranges would be considered toxic?
1.5ng/ml to 3ng/ml
what are the signs of digitalis toxicity?
- SA/AV node and bradycardia
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Confusion, depression and dizziness
- Blurred vision or yellow vision
- Skin reactions
who is at risk of digitalis toxicity?
- pts with hypokalaemia
- elderly (reduce dose)
pts who are at risk of hypokalemia or at risk what are they offered?
- K+ sparing diuretics
- K+ supplements
examples of K+ sparing diuretics
- spironolactone
- amiloride (weakest)
- eplerenone
what to do when digitalis toxicity occurs?
- withdraw digoxin
- refer to specialist for care
- life-threatening overdose; reverse digoxin-specific antibody fragments (DigiBind or DigiFab)
what are the drug interactions of digoxin?
‘SCRAND’
- St John Wort’s = Reduces digoxin plasma concentration
- Calcium channel blockers = Increases digoxin plasma concentration
- Rifampicin = Reduces digoxin plasma concentration
- Amiodarone = Increases digoxin plasma concentration
- NSAIDs = Increases digoxin plasma concentration
- Diuretics = Increases digoxin plasma concentration
digoxin + beta blockers, effect?
increases the risk of AV node & increases digoxin plasma concentration
digoxin + anti-depressant, effect?
risk of arrhythmias
state the drugs that can increase the plasma concentration of digoxin
- macrolides = erythromycin
- ciclosporins
dipyridamole
- 2nd line long-term treatment for TIA/stroke
- antiplatelet
- discard MR tablets 6 weeks after opening from the original container
- to be taken 30-60 minutes before food
tranexamic acid
- antifibrinolytic drug
- is used in surgeries, dental extraction and menorrhagia
- it prevents/reduces bleeding by impairing fibrin dissolution
- Side effect: GI causing N/V
examples for low molecular weight heparins
- enoxaparin
- dalteparin
- tinzaparin
what are the food-drug interactions with warfarin?
- Pomegranate & cranberry juice = increases INR
- Miconazole (daktarin gel) = increases INR
- Vit K rich foods - leafy greens = decreases warfarin efficacy = decreases INR
state the drug interactions of warfarin that INCREASES the effect of warfarin
- clarithromycin
- erythromycin
- antifungals (miconazole)
- amiodarone
- corticosteriods
- SSRIs
- St John Worts
state the drug interactions of warfarin that DECREASES the effect of warfarin
- Rifampacin
- Phenobarbitone
- Phenytoin
- Griseofulvin
- Mercaptopurine
- Azathioprine
- Carbamazepine
- Vitamin K
- Alcohol
examples new generation of anticoagulants (DOACs)
- apixaban
- dabigatran
- edoxaban
- rivaroxaban
state the initial and maintenance dose of apixaban for the treatment of VTE/PE
initial: 10mg BD for 7 days
maintenance: 5mg BD
what are the factors in which you would recommend reducing the dose of apixaban? & state the dose reduction
dose reduction = 2.5 mg BD
Factors (if pt meets 2/3 then reduce)
1. Bwt <60 kg
2. Age > 80 years old
3. CrCl is 15-29 ml/min
Creatinine > 133