Chapter 4: Nervous System Flashcards
What groups of patients are short acting benzodiazepines more suitable for?
ElderlyHepatic impairment (however in acute alcoholic withdrawal a longer benzodiazepine is used)
What is a disadvantage of short acting benzodiazepines?
Carries greater risk of withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can occur without how much time of stopping a short acting benzodiazepine?
Within 1 day
Withdrawal symptoms can occur without how much time of stopping a long acting benzodiazepine?
Within 3 weeks
How would you reduce someone’s diazepam dose if on long term therapy to prevent withdrawal?If on high doses, how is this done?
Reduce diazepam dose, usually by 1–2 mg every 2– 4 weeksFor high doses- reduce by up to one tenth every 1-2 weeks
What schedule is methylphenidate (Concerta)?
CD2
What are the side effects of methylphenidate and dexamfetamine?
- Appetite loss, insomnia, weight loss- Increased HR and BP - Tics, Tourette’s- Growth restriction in children- monitor height and weight, allow drug free periods to grow - Psychiatric disorders. Monitor the above after a dose change and then every 6 months
What is dexamfetamine used for?
Narcolepsy Refractory ADHD
How would you treat an acute episode of mania?
Benzodiazepines. Antipsychotics- quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone Lithium or valproic acid can be added if inadequate response
What can you use for prophylaxis of bipolar disorder?
Lithium salts Sodium valproate / valproic acid Olanzapine
What should you not give in patients with bipolar?
Antidepressants
What are the signs of lithium toxicity? (REVNG)
Renal disturbances Extrapyramidal symptoms Visual disturbances Nervous system disturbances GI side effects
If a patient has persistent headaches and on lithium, what should you do?
Refer. Lithium can cause benign intracranial hypertension
A deficiency in what electrolyte can lead to lithium toxicity?
Sodium
Can SSRIs lower seizure threshold?
Yes
What is the interaction between TCAs and antihypertensives?
Increased risk of hypotension
Is moclobemide a reversible or irreversible MAOI?
Reversible - no washout period needed as it is short acting
With what MAOIs are hepatotoxicty more likely?
Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid
What is the advice surrounding clozapine and missed doses?
2 or more doses missed, then need to re-titrate dose
Sexual dysfunction is most common with what antipsychotics?
Haloperidol and risperidone
Can antipsychotics interfere with your temperature regulation?
Yes
What are the advantages of using peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors for Parkinson’s?
Lower dose needed for therapeutic effect. Fewer side effects - nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular events
What class of drug is pramipexole?
Non ergot derived dopamine agonist
What are the side effects of ergot derived dopamine agonists?
Fibrotic reactions.
Pulmonary- look out for SOB, cough
Retroperitoneal - look out for abdominal pain and tenderness
Pericardial- look out for cardiac failure
Is COMT inhibitor monotherapy licensed in Parkinson’s?
No Used as an adjunct to levodopa
What kind of toxicity is caused by tolcapone?
Hepatotoxicty Look out for vomiting, dark urine, abdominal pain
What is the antisickness choice of drug in Parkinson’s?
Domperidone
What two electrolyte imbalances should be corrected before using 5HT3 antagonists e.g. ondansetron?
Hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia
True or false:Naloxone only partially reverses the effects of buprenorphine
TRUE
In what situations is it advised for patients to immediately remove a fentanyl patch?
Breathing difficultiesDrowsiness, impaired speechSigns of opioid toxicity
Can tramadol lower the seizure threshold?
Yes
True or false:You can take two doses of sumatriptan for the same attack 2 hours later?
True but symptoms must have been improved after taking the first tablet
How would you treat trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain with electric shocks in the jaw)?
Carbamazepine or phenytoin