Chapter 1: Gastro-intestinal system Flashcards
What are the monitoring and reporting requirements for Aminosalicylates
Monitoring: Renal function before starting, 3 months later and then annually Reporting: (All) Blood dyscrasia- sore throat, fever, rash, ulcers, bleeding Mesalazine: switching brands- advise to report any changes in symptoms
Sulfasalazine: colours body fluids orange/yellow
Why is liquid paraffin no longer recommended
Due to anal irritation and seepage of paraffin after prolonged use
What is Sucralfate used for and what is its caution
Benigh gastruc ulcers, Chronic Gastritis
Caution: BEZOAR formation- stone like mass found in GI system especially in critically ill patients in intensive care or with enteral feeds
What is Pancreatin and what are the appropriate counselling points
Creon - mixtures of enzymes used to aid digestion
- Patients should adequate hydration at high doses
- Capsules should be swallowed whole and not chewed
Which antacids can cause contipation and which can cause diarrhoea
Magnesium containing = laxative effects (diarrhoea)
Aluminium & Calcium containing= constipation effects
Which GI conditions are the following drugs used for
Hyoscine butylbromide
Alverine Citrate
Mebeverine
(All) Gastro-intestinal smooth muscle spasms
Hyoscine: IBS, Acute spasms
Mebeverine: IBS
Which electrolytes are affected by PPIs
Hyponatreamia
Long term use: Hypomagnesaemia (more common after 1 year but sometimes after 3 months)
What are some side effects of Loperamide and what is the MHRA alert
Flatulence, GI disorders, Nausea, Headache, Dizziness, Dry mouth
MHRA alert: Serious cardiovascular events (e.g. QT prolongation, TDP, cardiac arrest) with large overdose, naloxone can be given as an antidote
Name the bulk forming laxatives and some of their side effects
Ispahula husk, Methylcellulose and Sterculia
Flatulence, Abdominal distension (bloating), GI disorders
Take with atleast 150ml of water
Do not use for opioid induced constipation as can precipitate intestinal obstrution
Name the Stimulant laxatives and some of their side effects
Bisacodyl, Co-danthramer (palliative care only) Docusate (stool softening properties), Glycerol, Senna and sodium picosulfate
S/E: GI discomfort and Cramps
Co-danthramer and senna colours the urin red
Name the osmotic laxatives and some of their side effects
Lactulose, Macrogol, Magnesium hydroxide
S/Es: Nausea, vomitting, cramps, bloating, flatulence
What do the words “low Na+” on antacid preparations indicate?
Sodium content of less than 1mmol per tablet or 10ml dose. This is written on for people with hypertension
When would you advise patients to take antacids
Space doses out from other drugs (2 hour gap)
Alginates create a raft so should be taken after food (if taken before food, the food will penetrate the raft as they enter the stomach)
When should PPIs be taken?
At least 30 mins before food for optimal absorption
What drug, used for GI ulcers, should be avoided in all trimesters of pregnancy and in women of a child bearing age unless absolutely necessary?
Misoprostol
Used in GI for NSAID induced ulcers
Teratogenic - also used for termination of pregnancy
Safest PPI in pregnant women?
Omeprazole
Diarrhoea advice in a pregnant woman?
Avoid loperamide.
Lifestule advise best: Maintain adequate hydration
refer if present for more than 48 hours or more than 6 loose stools in 24 hours
Safest laxative in pregnant women?
If dietary and lifestyle advice fails you can use bulk forming (first line).
an osmotic (lactulose) can be used. Bisacodyl and senna should only be used if a stimulant effecct is necessary but their use near term should be avoided.
Docusate and glyercol suppositiories can be used.
How do you treat haemorrhoids in pregnant woman
No topical haemorrhoidal preparations are licensed for use during pregnancy. If required a simple, soothing product should be used.
Local anaesthetics and steroids should be avoided.
Which antiemetic drug can be purchased over the counter?
Prochlorperazine: Buccastem (for migraines)
Motion sickness
Hyoscine: Kwells (10+), Kwells Kids (4+), Joy Rides (3+), scopoderm patches (10+)
Cinnarizine: Sturgeron (5+)
Promethazine: Phenergan (2+)
What laxative and what anti-emetic are recommended for use in terminally ill patients?
Laxative: co-danthromer/ co-danthrusate (can colour urine red) It is locally irritant- avoid contact with skin
Anti-emetic: Ondansetron, Haloperidol- these are good for opioid induce N&V (Haloperidol also used first line for delirium in palliative care- this is very common)
Which laxative should be used where there is faecal impaction?
Osmotic laxatives
What is the MHRA saftey alert with PPIs
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)
development of lesions with associated athralgia
When is metoclopromide contraindicated for treating sickness?
3 - 4 days after Gastrointestinal surgery
GI heamorrhage
GI obstruction
Under 18 years due to neurological effects
Epilepsy
Parkinsons
Which laxatives are used in opioid induced constipation/ immobility
Osmotic or Stimulant
do not use bulk forming
What is Colestipol?
When should other medications be taken in relation to this drug?
A bile acid sequestrant used to lower cholesterol (LDL specifically)
Take other medication 1 hour before or 4 hours after this medication as it can effect absorption
can affect the absorption of Vitamins A D E K and Folic acid
Which of the following is not a typical symptom of IBS?
A. Abdominal pain
B. Bloating
C. Constipation
D. Diarrhoa
E. Emesis (vomiting)
Emesis (vomiting)
Why can Crohns disease cause secondary osteoporosis?
Reduced absorption of dietary vitamins and minerals.
What is fistulating Crohn’s disease?
When there is the formation of a fistula between the intestine and adjacent structures, such as the perianal skin, bladder, and vagina. It occurs in about 1/4 patients, mostly when the disease involves the ileocolonic area.
What common harmful lifestyle factor can make Crohn’s worse?
Smoking
In the treatment of acute Crohn’s, what is used to induce remission in patients with a first presentation or a single inflammatory exacerbation of Crohn’s in a 12-month period?
A corticosteroid (either prednisolone, methylprednisolone or intravenous hydrocortisone).
Acute Crohns: In patients with distal ileal, ileocaecal or right-sided colonic disease, in whom a conventional corticosteroid is unsuitable or contra-indicated, what can be considered and why?
Budesonide can be considered, it is less effective but may cause fewer side-effects than other corticosteroids as the systemic exposure is limited.
Aminosalicylates (sulfasalazine and mesalazine) are an alternative option. But less effective.
When would add-on treatment be used in Acute Crohn’s?
If there are two or more inflammatory exacerbations in a 12-month period, or if the corticosteroid dose cannot be reduced.
Acute Crohn’s: What can be added to a corticosteroid or budesonide to induce remission?
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine can be added. Azathioprine or mercaptopurine [unlicensed indications] can be added to a corticosteroid or budesonide to induce remission. In patients who cannot tolerate azathioprine or mercaptopurine or in whom thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity is deficient, methotrexate can be added to a corticosteroid.
Acute Crohn’s: Add-on treatment: In patients who cannot tolerate azathioprine or mercaptopurine or in whom thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity is deficient, what can be added to a corticosteroid?
Methotrexate
Under specialist supervision, monoclonal antibody therapies with what are options for the treatment of severe, active Crohn’s disease, following inadequate response to conventional therapy?
Adalimumab, Infliximab
How does adalimumab work?
anti TNF
How does infliximab work?
Anti TNF
What BMI is required for treatment with orlistat
30 kg/m2 or more
OR
28 kg/m2 or more in the presence of other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia
The absorption of which vitamins is impaired during treatment with orlistat
A D E K
&
Folic acid
In the maintenance of remission in Crohn’s, which drugs used as unlicensed monotherapy can maintain remission
Azathioprine and mercaptopurine
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s relapse?
Weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and general ill-health.
Methotrexate should only be used in patients to maintain remission if what?
if they are intolerant of or not suitable for azathioprine or mercaptopurine treatment.
What drugs should not be used for the maintenance of remission in Crohn’s?
Corticosteroids or budenoside.
use to induce remission only
What drug is licensed for the relief of diarrhoea associated with Crohn’s disease?
Colestyramine
loperamide and codeine can also be used.
Are patients with coeliac disease recommended to self medicate with OTC vitamin and mineral supplements?
No
should be refered so their requirements can be assessed. OTC strengths may not be enough
What are coeliac patients at increased risk of?
Malabsorption
Vitamin and mineral deficiency - can increase the risk of osteoporosis
What is diverticular disease?
Diverticula (sac-like protrusions of mucosa through the muscular colonic wall) cause intermittent lower abdominal pain in the absence of inflammation or infection. Can cause large rectal bleeds
What is the treatment for diverticular disease
high fibre diet or bulking forming laxatives for constipation symptoms
Paracetamol for pain and antispasmodics
What is not recommended in uncomplicated diverticular disease?
Antibiotics unless the patient presents with signs of infection/immunocompromised
the use of NSAIDS or opioids is not recommended in uncomplicated diverticular disease
What is the treatment for complicated diverticular disease?
Hospital admission required - IV antibacterials covering gram negative and anaerobes & Bowel rest
True or false:
There is insufficient evidence to justify the role of fibre, rifaximin, antispasmodics, mesalazine, and probiotics in the prevention or treatment of diverticulitis.
TRUE
What is the advantage of the newer aminosalicylates (mesalazine, balsalazide, olsalazine) over sulfasalazine?
Avoids the sulfonamide-related side effects of sulfasalazine
(sulphonamides are CYP inhibitors)
Sulfasalazine is a combination of what two compounds?
5-ASA and sulfapyridine
Sulfapyridine acts only as a carrier to the colonic site of action but still causes side effects
What compound is mesalazine?
5-ASA
Balsalazide is a pro drug of what?
5-ASA
What are extraintestinal manifestations?
When people with IBD develop conditions affecting the joints, eyes or skin. e.g. arthritis, osteoporosis
In a patient with a first presentation or single inflammatory Crohn’s exacerbation in a 12 month period, what drug is used?
If this is not suitable, or if the patient has right-sided colonic disease, what could be used? When would these not be appropriate and why?
- Corticosteroid - prednisolone, methylprednisolone or IV hydrocortisone
- Budesonide or aminosalicylates. Not appropriate if severe presentation as they are less effective (even though they have fewer side effects)
When would you add in additional treatment (on top of steroid monotherapy) in a Crohn’s disease exacerbation?
What would you add?
2 or more inflammatory exacerbations in 12 months, or if the steroid dose cannot be reduced
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
Is mercaptopurine licensed in severe UC or CD?
No
What can be added to a steroid to induce remission in a Crohn’s patient?
If these are not suitable, what could be used?
- Azathioprine, Mercaptopurine (unlicensed)
- Methotrexate
What test do you need to do before starting someone on azathioprine or mercaptopurine?
TPMT levels. If activity is deficient, it may not be suitable
FBC weekly for 4 week, then every 3 months
Patients should be advised to monitor for signs of bone marrow suppresion
What monoclonal antibodies are licensed for Crohn’s?
Adalimumab
Infliximab - can also be used for active fistulating CD
Should steroids be used for the maintenance of remission for Crohn’s?
No- only to induce remission
What antibiotics can be used (alone or in combination) to improve symptoms of fistulating Crohn’s?
Metronidazole and ciprofloxacin (unlicensed)
If metronidazole is given for fistulating Crohn’s, how long for and what are the associated risks?
1 month (no longer than 3) due to risk of peripheral neuropathy
What is used to control the inflammation in fistulating Crohn’s disease (and continued for maintenance)? How long should they be on this for?
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine (unlicensed) or infliximab
Can you use loperamide and codeine phosphate in acute UC?
No- contraindicated as it increases the risk of toxic megacolon
What type of laxative may be useful for proximal faecal loading in proctitis?
Macrogol
What is first-line treatment for patients with a mild-to-moderate initial presentation or inflammatory exacerbation of proctitis and proctosigmoiditis?
What would be second line?
- Rectal aminosalicylates. Oral prednisolone should be considered for the treatment of patients with subacute proctitis or proctosigmoiditis.
- Rectal corticosteroid or oral prednisolone
Which aminosalicylates have rectal preparations?
Mesalazine and sulfasalazine
What is first line treatment for patients with acute exacerbation mild-moderate left-sided or extensive UC?
High induction dose of an oral aminosalicylate, with addition of a rectal aminosalicylate or oral beclometasone dipropionate if necessary.
Oral prednisolone alone is recommended for patients who cannot tolerate or who decline aminosalicylates, in whom aminosalicylates are contra-indicated or in patients with subacute left-sided or extensive ulcerative colitis.
In patients being treated with aminosalicylates for UC, when would you add in oral prednisolone?
No improvements within 4 weeks of initial therapy. If patient is on beclometasone, discontinue this
Why does oral budesonide have fewer systemic side effects than corticosteroids?
It exerts its action locally in the colon
True or false: Budesonide is licensed for inducing remission in mild to moderate UC if aminosalicylates are not suitable
TRUE
Are corticosteroids suitable for maintenance treatment of UC?
No because of their side effects
What should be given in severe acute UC?
IV corticosteroids
IV ciclosporin is an alternative (unlicensed)
What monoclonal antibodies are used for acute UC?
Adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab, vedolizumab
What can be used to maintain remission after an acute exacerbation of proctitis/proctosigmoiditis?
Rectal aminosalicylate can be started alone or in combination with oral aminisalicylate
What can be used to maintain remission after an acute exacerbation of left-sided or extensive UC?
Low dose oral aminosalicylate
Oral azathioprine or mercaptopurine [unlicensed indications] can be considered to maintain remission, if there has been two or more inflammatory exacerbations in a 12-month period that required treatment with systemic corticosteroids, or if remission is not maintained by aminosalicylates, or following a single acute severe episode.
True or false: When used to maintain remission, single daily doses of oral aminosalicylates can be more effective than multiple daily dosing, but may result in more side-effects.
TRUE
What are the red flag side effects of aminosalicylates?
Agranulocytosis, Bone marrow suppression, Neutropenia, Cardiac inflammation, nephrotoxicity
What are the monitoring requirements for aminosalicylates?
Renal function should be monitored before starting treatment, at 3 months, and then annually Patients should report any unexplained bleeding/bruising/fever/malaise during treatment
FBC - drug should be stopped immediately if any indication of blood dyscrasia (disease/disorder of the blood)
Within what time period during starting sulfasalazine treatment do haematological abnormalities often occur?
Within the first 3-6 months of starting treatment Discontinue if these occur
What should patients on sulfasalazine be aware of if they wear contact lenses?
May stain the lenses yellow/orange
What should a patient be screened for if starting vedolizumab?
TB Contraindicated in those with TB
What is alverine citrate used for?
GI spasms Dysmenorrhoea
Why would lactulose not be suitable in a patient with IBS?
Causes bloating
In IBS patients who have had constipation the last 12 months but have not responded to laxatives, what can be used?
Linaclotide
What is 1st line for diarrhoea in IBS?
Loperamide