Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Flashcards
What are the side-effects of thiazolidinediones?
Weight Gain, liver impairment (monitor LFTs), Fluid retention (contraindicated in heart failure), increased risk of fractures, bladder cancer (pioglitazone)
What are thiazolidinediones?
PPAR-gamma receptor agonists that reduce peripheral insulin resistance therefore used in the treatment of type 2 DM. e.g. pioglitazone
What are the side-effects of verapamil?
Constipation, hypotension, bradycardia (caution in heart failure), flushing
What are the side-effects of diltiazem?
hypotension, bradycardia (caution in heart failure), ankle swelling
What are the side-effects of dihydropyridines (e.g. nifedipine, amlodipine)?
flushing, headache, ankle swelling
Which drugs must be avoided during breastfeeding?
Carbimazole Lithium Aspirin Sulphonylureas Tetracycline
Sulphonamides Ciprofloxacin Amiodarone Benzodiazepines Cytotoxics
What are the side-effects of loop diuretics?
hypotension, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, otoxicity, hypocalcaemia, renal impairment, hyperglycaemia, gout
What are the side-effects of LMWH and UFH?
Increased Bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, osteporosis with long-term use. HIT and osteporosis less common with LMWH than UFH. Also hyperkalaemia
What is tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin is an alpha1-blocker used in the treatment of BPH. It acts to relax smooth muscle in BPH leading to an increase in urinary flow-rate and an improvement in obstructive symptoms.
Contra-indicated in patients with a history of postural hypotension.
What is citalopram and what are its side effects?
A type of Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors used in depression and panic disorder. Can prolong QT interval. Can also cause hepatitis and general GI upset.
What are the side effects of alpha1 selective blockers.
Drowsiness, hypotension, syncope, headache, dry mouth, depression
What are some side effects of chloroquine?
Headache, psychosis, retinopathy (chronic use)
What are some side-effects of primaquine?
Epigastric pain, haemolysis if G6PD deficient, methaemoglobinaemia
What are the main types of anti-fungals?
Triazole antifungals e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole. Voriconazole is broad-spectrum anti-fungal used for life-threatening infection.
Polyene antifungals e.g. Amphotericin B used for CNS fungal infections and cryptococcal meningitis.
What are the main types of anti-biotics?
- Beta-lactams
- Penicillins (-cillin)
- Cephalosporins (cef-)
- Carbapenems (-penem)
- Quinolones (-acin)
- Macrolides (-thromycin)
- Aminoglycosides (-micin)
What are the main penicillins?
Benzylpenicillin is a useful narrow spectrum antibiotic mainly against gram+ve organisms. It is poorly absorbed orally and is usually given IV.
Flucloxacillin is indicated in infection cause by penicillinase-producing penicillin resistant staphyloccoi. Which includes most hospital acquired staphylococcal infections, SEs include Cholestasis
Ampicillin and Amoxicllin are broad-spectrum penicillins active against non-beta lactamase producing gram+ve bacteria and because they diffuse into gram-ve bactera more readily than benzylpenicilin they are also active against many strains of E.coli, haemophilus, and salmonella. For oral amoxicllin (SEs rash with infectious mononucleosis) is the drug of choice for IV ampicillin. Co-amoxiclav can be used for resistant strains, SEs include Cholestasis.
What are the main Cephalosporins?
Used for the treatment of meningitis, pneumonia, and septicaemia. Ceftriaxone is a third generation which is active against staphs, most streps, enterococci, pneumoccoci and gram-ve such as shigella haemophilus, klebsiella, some proteus and e.coli.
What are the main Carbapenems?
Meropenem is a carbapenem but is high resistant to most beta-lactamases, it has a wide spectrum and it bactericidal against most gram-ve and gram+ve, only occasional pseudomonas and MRSA are resistant. It is given IV.
What are the main Macrolides?
Erythromycin and Clarithromycin can be given either orally or IV. They have a narrow spectrum mainly active against gram+ve can be used as an alternate in pen-allergic patients. but they are ineffective in meningitis. They are very safe drugs. Erythromycin may cause gastrointestinal upset and prolonged QT interval.
What are the main Aminoglycosides?
Gentamicin is the most important its main use is in life-threatening gram-ve infections. AmiKacin is used in gentamicin resistant gram-ve infection. Streptomycin is used in mycobacterium multiple resistant TB. Be wary of Ototoxicity and Kidney damage.
What are the main Quinolones?
Ciprofloxacin is well absorbed orally and can be given intravenously it is excreted mainly by the kidneys unchanged and so can be used in UTIs. They are useful for intracellular organisms. SEs include decreased seizure thershold and tendonitis