Chem Path Flashcards
Phenytoin - what does it treat?
Seizures
Phenytoin - signs of toxicity
Ataxia - loss of coordination
Nystagmus - involuntary/twitchy eye movements
Think: depressing brain activity to calm seizures but in doing so cause other brain problems - affecting eyes and balance
Phenytoin - what to be cautious for
p450 inducer
high levels, liver becomes saturated, more phenytoin in blood.
Rx - omit/reduce dose
Digoxin - what does it treat?
Arrhythmias - rate control
Heart block, confusion, seeing yellow (xanthopsia)
Digoxin - signs of toxicity
Arrhythmias, Heart block, confusion, seeing yellow (xanthopsia)
Digoxin - what to be cautious for
Levels increase with hypokalaemia, therefore reduce the dose in kidney failure and elderly
Rx Digibind
Lithium - what does it treat?
Mood stabaliser
Lithium - signs of toxicity
Tremor (early sign)
Lethargy, seizures, arrhythmias
Renal Failure.
Think shaking (tremors, seizures, arrhythmias), which makes you tired (fatigue) and renal failure
Lithium - what to be cautious for
Excretion impaired by hyponatraemia. So levels remain high. Worse when less Na reabsorbed and more pee’d out (diuretics) and worse with kidney failure.
Think: Sodium is right under Lithium on periodic table so Lithium needs a decent sodium level to be excreted
Rx - made need haemodialysis
Gentamicin - what does it treat?
Abx of choice for Gram -ve uncontrolled infection.
Gentamicin - signs of toxicity
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear), deafness, nystagmus
Think - ears and eyes
Renal failure
Gentamicin - what to be cautious for
Mostly use single daily dose, monitor peak and trough before next dose, v toxic
Rx: omit/reduce
Theophyline - what does it treat?
Asthma and COPD, smooth muscle relaxer
Theophyline - signs of toxicity
Shaking signs -
Anxiety, tremor, seizures, arrhythmias
