Chapter 46: Systemic Steroids & Autoimmune Conditions Flashcards
Which steroid drug mimics aldosterone
fludrocortisone
Fludrocortisone is FDA approved for ____ & used off-label for ____
Addison’s disease
Orthostatic hypotension
Steroids such as prednisone and hydrocortisone have more ____ activity, which has more ____ effects
glucocorticoid
anti-inflammatory
Systemic steroids can cause the adrenal gland to stop producing ____, which is called ____
cortisol
suppression of the HPA axis
Cushing’s Syndrome develops when the adrenal gland produces too much ____, or when exogenous (i.e., taken as a drug) steroids are taken in high doses
cortisol
In Addison’s disease:
the adrenal gland is not making enough cortisol
If exogenous steroids are stopped suddenly, it can cause
Addisonian Crisis
which can be fatal
What are ways to reduce systemic steroid risks
- use alternate day dosing
- for a condition in the gut, use a steroid with low systemic absorption, such as Budesonide
- For joint inflammation, inject into the joint so the drug stays local
- For treatment of asthma, use inhaled steroids that mostly stay in the lungs
- For conditions that require long-term steroids, use the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time
Rank steroids from least to most potent
Remember: Cute Hot Pharmacists and Physicians Marry Together & Deliver Babies Cortisone Hydrocortisone Prednisone Prednisolone Methylprednisolone Triamcinolone Dexamethasone Betamethasone
What is the brand name for dexamethasone
DexPak 6, 10 or 13 day
Decadron
What is the brand name for hydrocortisone
Solu-Cortef
What is the brand name for methylprednisolone
Medrol
Solu-Medrol
What is the brand name for prednisone
Deltasone
What is the brand name for prednisolone
Millipred
Orapred ODT
What is the brand name for Triamcinolone
Kenalog
If taking steroids once daily, take between ____ to mimic the natural diurnal cortisol release
7-8 AM
Should steroids be taken with or without food?
With food
Steroid-induced medical conditions include:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- glaucoma
- psychiatric conditions
Must taper steroids if taking longer than ___ days
14
Short-term side effects of steroids can lead to:
increased appetite/weight gain
emotional instability
insomnia
Cortisone is a prodrug of
cortisol
prednisone is a prodrug of
prednisolone
A patient is immunosuppressed when using >/= __ mg/kg/day or >/= __ mg/day of prednisone or prednisone equivalent
2; 20
Common way to taper steroids
Reduce the dose by 10-20% every few days. Tapers can last 7-14 days
Nonspecific lab blood tests that can be useful in detecting inflammation include:
ESR
C reactive protein,
rheumatoid factor
antinuclear antibody
The use of strong immunosuppressants can increase the risk of certain conditions including:
- Reactivation of TB and Hep B and C
- Viruses
- Lymphomas and certain skin cancers
- Infections
_____ is consistent with a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis
Bilateral, symmetrical disease
What are common symptoms of RA
Joint swelling
pain
stiffness
bone deformity
Which lab tests are useful to help diagnose RA
rheumatoid factor (RF)
and
anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)
Patients with symptomatic RA should be started on ____, regardless of the severity
DMARD
What is the preferred initial DMARD for most patients with RA
Methotrexate
Which class of medication are used for RA flares
steroids (low-dose)
What is the brand name for MTX oral tab
Trexall
What is the brand name for MTX SC auto-injectors
Otrexup and Rasuvo
What is the MOA of MTX
Irreversibly binds and inhibits dihydrofolate reducatse, inhibiting folate
What is the dosing for MTX for RA
7.5-20 mg once weekly (PO, SC, IM)
Why should MTX not be dosed daily in RA
Numerous incidences of ADE (e.g, mouth sores, intestinal bleeding, liver damage) have occurred in patients taking daily
Boxed warnings for MTX
hepatotoxicity, myelosuppression, mucositis/stomatitis, pregnancy
What should be monitored when using MTX
CBC, LFTs, CXR, hepatitis B and C serologies
Why is folate given with MTX
To decrease hematological, GI and hepatic SE
Brand name for hydroxychloroquine
Plaquenil
Warning for hydroxychloroquine
irreversible retinopathy
When would you use hydroxychloroquine over MTX
If there is a concern for liver disease
What is a CI for sulfasalazine
sulfa or salicylate allergy
What color can sulfasalazine turn the skin/urine
yellow-orange
What is the MOA for leflunomide
Inhibits pyrimidine synthesis resulting in anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects
Boxed warnings for leflunomide
Do not use in pregnancy (teratogenic); hepatotoxicity
What are the accelerated drug elimination options for leflunomide
- Cholestyramine 8 grams PO TID x 11 days
2. activated charcoal suspension 50 grams po Q12H x 11 days
If pregnancy is desired when using leflunomide, you must wait ___ after discontinuation or use accelerated drug elimination procedures
2 years
Boxed warnings for Janus Kinase Inhibitors
Serious infections including TB, fungal, viral, bacterial and others; malignancies; thrombosis
What medication classes cannot be used with janus kinase inhibitors
biologic DMARDs or potent immunosuppressants
Renal elimination of MTX is decreased by
aspirin and NSAIDs
T/F: needles need to be purchased separately with anti-TNF biologic DMARDs
F. They are included
Etanercept brand name
Enbrel
Adalimumab brand name
Humira
Infliximab brand name
Remicade
Certolizumab pegol brand name
Cimza
Golimumab brand name
Simponi
Goli is a simp
What medication can anti-TNF biologic DMARDS be given with
MTX. DO NOT USE WITH OTHER BIOLOGIC DMARDs OR LIVE VACCINES
Enbrel dosing frequency
SC weekly
Humira dosing frequency
SC every other week
Infliximab is given via which route
IV
Cimzia dosing frequency
SC every other week
Simponi dosing frequency
SC monthly; can also be given IV
Boxed warning for anti-TNF biologic DMARDS
serious infections; screen for latent TB & treat if needed; lymphomas and other malignancies
Warnings for anti-TNF biologic DMARDS
Can cause demyelinating disease, hepatitis B reactivation, HF, hepatotoxicity, and lupus-like syndrome
Infliximab (Remicade) requires a filter and is only table in ____
normal saline
Which anti-TNF biologic DMARD causes infusion reactions
Infliximab (Remicade)
Which anti-TNF biologic DMARD causes delayed hypersensitivity reactions
Infliximab (Remicade)
Rituximab brand name
Rituxan
MOA of retuximab
Depletes CD20 B cells
How is Rituxan given
IV
What premedications should be given with Rituxan
steroid, APAP and antihistamine
Boxed warning for Rituxan
infustion-related reactions usually with first infusion, HBV reactivation
T/F: Rituximab can be given with other biologic DMARDs or live vaccines
False
Otrexup & Rasuvo (methotrexate single-use auto-injectors) should be administered in what parts of the body
abdomen or upper thigh only
etanercept (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) can be stored at room temperature for a max of ___ days
14
Where can adalimumab (Humira) be injected
abdomen or thigh
Where can etanercept (Enbrel) be injected
abdomen, thigh or upper arm
Where can golimumab (Simponi) be injected
abdomen, thigh or upper arm
SLE is most common in which gender/ethnicities
women of AA and Asian descent
Most common symptoms of SLE
fatigue, depression, anorexia, weight loss, muscle pain, malar rash (butterfly rash), photosensitivity, and joint pain and stiffness
What condition develops in over 50% of patients with SLE
lupus nephritis
Which common lab findings are associated with a SLE diagnosis
positive ANA and positive anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA
Treatment for SLE can take up to ____ to see max benefit
6 months
What drugs are used for chronic SLE
hydroxychloroquine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine
Belimumab (Benlysta) used for SLE has what warnings
serious infections; do not give with other biologic DMARDs or live vaccines
Belimumab (Benlysta) used for SLE has a lower response rate for which population
AA
Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis includes
fatigue, numbness, and blurred vision
Glatiramer acetate brand name
Copaxone
Glatiramer acetate warning
chest pain
Glatiramer acetate side effects
injection site reactions, flushing, diaphoresis, dyspnea
What is the preferred agent if treatment of MS is required during pregnancy
Glatiramer acetate
How is Glatiramer acetate dosed
20 mg SC daily or 40 mg SC 3 times per week
How is interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif) dosed
Avonex: IM weekly
Rebif: SC 3 times per week
How is interferon beta-1b (Betaseron, Extavia) dosed
SC every other day
How is peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy) dosed
SC every 14 days
What are warnings for interferon beta products used in MS
psych disorders (depression/suicide), injection site necrosis, increased LFTs, thyroid dysfunction (hyper and hypo)
What is a SE for interferon beta products used in MS
Flu-like symptoms
T/F: Make sure to expel the small air bubble in prefilled syringes of interferon beta products
False; you will lose the dose
Some formulations of interferon beta products used in MS contain ____
albumin
T/F: All interferon beta products used in MS (except Betaseron and Extavia [interferon beta-1b]) must be refrigerated. If taken out of the refrigerator, you do not need to let it stand at RT prior to injection
False; you should let it sit out at RT
What is a CI of teriflunomide (Aubagio), an oral immunomodulator
pregnancy
Fingolimod, an oral immunomodulator, can cause ____ and the patient must be monitored for at least ___ after the first dose
bradycardia; 6 hours
Fingolimod, an oral immunomodulator, is CI in most patients with history of
CVD or stroke
Fingolimod, an oral immunomodulator, requires ___ at baseline and at end of initial observation
ECG
Fingolimod and Siponimod, oral immunomodulators used in MS, have significant ADE for
macular edema, hepatotoxicity, and myelosuppression
T/F: Diemthyl fumarate and Diroximel fumarate, oral immunomodulators used in MS, CANNOT be crushed, chewed or sprinkled onto food
True
Siponimod, an oral immunomodulator, is CI with
CYP2C93/3 genotype
Natalizumab brand name
Tysabri
Natalizumab boxed warning
PML; only available through the REMS TOUCH Prescribing Program
Drugs commonly used for symptom control in MS include:
anticholinergics for incontinence, laxatives for constipation, muscle relaxants for muscle spasms, analgesics for muscle spams and pain, and propranolol for tremor
Which medication class (and specific medication) is used commonly to prevent Raynaud’s Phenomenon
CCBs; commonly nifedipine
Which drugs can cause or worsen Raynaud’s
BB, Bleomycin, cisplatin, sympathomimetics (from vasoconstriction) like amphetamines, PSE and illicit drugs
Patients with celiac disease have gluten intolerance. Pharmacists should look at package inserts of medications to look for the excipient components. What words should the pharmacist look for?
starch (corn, potato, tapioca, or wheat). Wheat, barley and rye are the gluten proteins
Which drugs can worsen or unmask myasthenia gravis
Antibiotics: AMG and quinolones Mg salts select antiarrhythmics BB & CCB Select antipsychotics Muscle relaxants Local anesthetics
MOA of pyridostigmine
block the breakdown of ACh
Sjogren’s syndrome is characterized by
severe dry eyes and dry mouth
What OTC products can be used for dry eyes in Sjogren’s syndrome
artificial teardrops (Systane, Refresh, Clear Eyes, and Liquifem)
Cyclosporine emulsion brand name
Restasis
Side effect of Restasis
burning of eyes
Lifitegrast Brand name
Xiidra
Side effect of Xiidra
unusual taste
remember xii has unusual taste
What rx drugs can provide treatment for dry mouth in Sjogren’s syndrome
muscarinic agonists such as pilocarpine or cevimeline. These are CI in pts with uncontrolled asthma and narrow-angle glaucoma
What non-drug treatment can help mild-moderate psoriasis symptoms?
UVB phototherapy
If steroids, vitamin D analogues, anthralin, retinoids, salicylic acid, coal tar and moisturizers fail for treatment of psoriasis, what can be used
topical calcineurin inhibitors