CNS Flashcards
What are the different types of dementia?
-alzheimers
-vascular
-lewy body dementia
-mixed
-frontotemporal
which types of drugs should be avoided in patients with dementia?
drugs with a high ACB score
what treatment options are first line for mild to moderate dementia in alzheimers?
donepezil
galantamine
rivastigmine
(anticholinesterase inhibitors)
what would be a suitable alternative to anticholinesterase inhibitors for a patient with moderate alzheimers?
memantine
what treatment option is indicated for severe alzheimers disease?
memantine
what are the treatment options for lewy body alzheimers?
donepezil or rivastigmine first line if mild-moderate/ donepezil if severe
galantamine if both not tolerated
memantine if none suitable
what are the treatment options for vascular dementia?
should only be treated if also affected by alzhemiers, lewy body or parkinsons associated dementia
when should antipsychotics be offered to patients with dementia?
only if they are at risk of harming themselves or others, or experiencing agitation or hallucinations which is causing more distress
What is the MHRA alert in regards to use of antipsychotics in patients with dementia?
increased risk of stroke and death
what three medications used in dementia are anticholinesterase inhibitors?
donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine
when should donepezil be taken?
at night - sundowning
what are the cautions for anticholinesterase inhibitors?
bradycardia, heart block, syncope
which of the anticholinesterase inhibitors is associated with neuroleptic malignant syndrome? and what are the symptoms of this?
donepezil - especially with concomitant antipsychotic use
fever, rigidity, unstable BP
what is the major side effect associated with galantamine that would require stopping treatment urgently?
skin reaction
what are the side effects of anticholinesterase inhibitors?
diarrhoea, urination, muscle weakness/ cramps, bronchospasm, bradycardia, emesis, lacrimation, salivation
which anticholinesterase inhibitor is associated with GI side effects?
rivastigmine - prolonged vomiting and diarrhoea can occur, withhold treatment until resolved
what type of drug is memantine?
dopaminergic NMDA receptor antagonist
what drugs are used for anxiety?
BZDs (acute)
propranolol
buspirone
SSRIs
which of the BZDs are short acting?
lorazepam and oxazepam
what is the MHRA alert for all BZDs?
risk of potentially fatal resp depression
which BZDs should be used in elderly?
shorter acting - lorazepam and oxazepam
how long does buspirone take to work?
2 weeks
what is the indication for BZD use in anxiety?
short term anxiety (2-4 weeks)
what are the side effects of BZDs?
-paradoxical increase in hostility/ aggression
-overdose
-sedation (avoid alcohol)
what are the symptoms of BZD withdrawal?
anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, tremors, sweating
how soon after stopping BZDs can withdrawal occur?
short acting - a day
long acting - 3 weeks
how would you manage BZD withdrawal?
-switch to equivalent dose of diazepam
-reduce diazepam dose slowly
what is first line for ADHD?
methylphenidate
2nd line - lisdexamfetamine
What other treatment options are available for ADHD?
atomexatine, dexamfetamine and guanfacine
what do you need to monitor with methylphenidate and how often?
weight and height - affects growth
on initiation, dose changes and 6 monthly
what are the side effects of methylphenidate?
appetite loss, insomnia, weight loss, increased heart rate and blood pressure, tics and Tourette’s syndrome, growth restriction
what could be done to avoid growth problems in children taking methylphenidate?
drug-free periods
what are the contraindications to methylphenidate?
CVD, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, severe depression, severe bipolar
what are three severe side effects to atomoxetine?
-suicidal ideation
-hepatotoxicity
-QT prolongation
when should anti-depressants be avoided in patients with bipolar disorder?
- rapid cycling bipolar
- recent history of mania/ hypomania
(consider stopping the antidepressant if mania develops)
what groups of drugs can be used in acute manic phases?
-antipsychotics (haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
-Asenapine licensed for moderate - severe manic episodes
-BZDs (behavioural disturbances/ agitation)
What long term medications (mood stabilisers) can be used in bipolar disorder?
-lithium
-valproate
-olanzapine (if response in manic episodes)
-carbamazepine (if unresponsive to other drugs)
what are the two different lithium salts?
-lithium citrate
-lithium carbonate
the effect of lithium can occur up to how long after initiation of treatment?
12 weeks
when would valproate be used in bipolar disorder?
- when lithium alone is ineffective
- if lithium is not tolerated/ contraindicated
What is the MHRA alerts for sodium valproate?
- risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour
-contra-indicated in women and girls of childbearing potential unless conditions of pregnancy prevention programme are met
What advice should be given to a female patient taking sodium valproate, who attends the community pharmacy and tell you they are either planning on getting pregnant, or already are pregnant?
Advise them to continue taking sodium valproate, but to see their GP urgently
how long is a prescription for sodium valproate valid for?
7 days
which of the following is not a side effect of sodium valproate?
-blood dyscrasias
-fatal constipation
-hepatotoxicity
-pancreatitis
fatal constipation
-blood dyscrasias (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia - report signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers AND/OR bruising and bleeding)
-hepatotoxicity (fatal - report signs of vomiting, abdo pain, jaundice, malaise, drowsiness. Should be discontinued if increased prothrombin time and signs of liver problems)
-pancreatitis (report signs of abdo pain, N&V. Should be discontinued)
Which of the following medications is most appropriate to use with sodium valproate?
-ciprofloxacin
-itraconazole
-phenobarbital
-atorvastatin
-codeine
codeine
-ciprofloxacin - lowers seizure threshold
-itraconazole - with valproate, increased risk of hepatotoxicity
-phenobarbital - valproate increases drug concentrations of phenobarbital as it is a enzyme inhibitor
-atorvastatin - with valproate, increased risk of hepatotoxicity
long term use of lithium has been associated with what? and what monitoring is required to avoid this?
-thyroid disorders (monitor TFTs 6 monthly)
-mild cognitive and memory impairment
Why does lithium require intense monitoring and levels to be taken?
it has a narrow therapeutic range
what are the signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity?
-renal disturbances (polyuria, incontinence, hyponatraemia)
-extrapyramidal (tremor, ataxia, dysarthria, myoclonus, nystagmus, muscle weakness)
-visual disturbances
-nervous system disturbances (confusion, drowsiness, incoordination, restlessness, stupor)
-GI (diarrhoea and vomiting)
when should lithium levels be taken?
12 hours post dose
what is the target range of lithium for chronic bipolar treatment vs acute mania?
Chronic bipolar: 0.4 - 1 mmol/L
Acute mania: 0.8 - 1 mmol/L
how often should serum lithium monitoring be performed?
after initiation and each dose change, THEN
every 3 months for a year, THEN
6 monthly thereafter
doses of lithium over what serum level are associated with renal failure, arrhythmias, circulatory failure, coma and death?
> 2 mmol/L
what 4 things should be monitored throughout lithium treatment?
-BMI
-electrolytes
-eGFR
-thyroid
what are the side effects of lithium?
-thyroid disorders (hypo and hyper)
-renal impairment
-intracranial hypertension
-QT prolongation
-lowers seizure threshold
what electrolyte imbalance predisposes patients to an increased risk of lithium toxicity?
hyponatraemia
which of the following medications do not interact with lithium?
-clarithromycin
-ramipril
-furosemide
-sertraline
-ibuprofen
-codeine
codeine
-clarithromycin - QT prolongation
-ramipril - increased concentration of lithium (as lithium is renally cleared)
-furosemide - hyponatraemia
-ibuprofen - ibuprofen increases the concentration of lithium (as lithium is renally cleared)
how long should an antidepressant be trialled before considering switching?
4 weeks (6 weeks in elderly)
antidepressants are associated with which side effects within the first few weeks of treatment?
agitation, anxiety, suicidal ideation (particularly in younger patients)
which class of antidepressants are first line?
SSRIs
SSRIs and other antidepressants have been associated with which electrolyte imbalance?
hyponatraemia
what are the symptoms of hyponatraemia?
confusion, drowsiness, convulsions
what are symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
-neuromuscular (tremor, hyperreflexia, clonus, myoclonus, rigidity)
-autonomic (tachycardia, BP instability, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, diarrhoea)
-mental (agitation, confusion, mania)
why is amitriptyline not recommended for depression?
dangerous in overdose
which of the following TCAs are sedative?
-nortriptyline
-amitriptyline
-trazadone
amitriptyline and trazadone
Name some MAOIs?
moclobemide, trancylpromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid
when switching between antidepressants, how long should be given before adding in a new therapy?
SSRIs - wait 1 week before switching
TCAs - wait 1-2 weeks before switching
MAOIs - wait 2 weeks before switching
which is the only SSRI licensed in children?
fluoxetine
which two SSRIs cause QT prolongation?
citalopram and escitalopram
which of the SSRIs is safest in MI and unstable angina?
sertraline