Common medications

Question 1

Atorvastatin

Answer 1

Use - to reduce risk of CV disease eg stroke, heart attacks
SE - muscle + joint pain, GI upset, LFTs
Warning - extreme muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis), can interact with antibiotics (macrolides)
Monitor - LFTs in 3 and 12 months

Question 2

Levothyroxine

Answer 2

Use - replace thyroid hormone
SE - anxiety, sweating, tremors
take - 30mins before food/ coffee, not taken with other meds
Monitor - TSH 3 months

Question 3

Omeprazole

Answer 3

use - reduce stomach acid
SE - stomach pain, constipation
Long term effects - osteoporosis, C Diff, low mag/ b12/ na

Question 4

Amlodipine

Answer 4

use - lower blood pressure
se - leg swelling, dizziness
monitor - home bp, if dizzy no driving - contact surgery

Question 5

Ramipril

Answer 5

use - lower blood pressure
se - dry cough, angioedema, high K
monitor - renal function within 2 weeks

Question 6

Bisoprolol

Answer 6

use - slow the heart rate
SE - sleep disturbance, bronchospasm, dizziness, bradycardia, tiredness

Question 7

Colecalciferol

Answer 7

use - vit D deficiency
SE - abdo pain, nausea
Monitor - Vit D, Ca levels

Question 8

Metformin

Answer 8

use - T2DM, weight loss
SE - GI upset, weight loss, lactic acidosis (needs to be stopped during acute illness)S

Question 9

Salbutamol

Answer 9

use - open airways for assist breathing
SE - tachycardia, headache, tremor
Monitor - symptoms, inhaler technique

Question 10

sertraline

Answer 10

use - help with mood and anxiety
SE- takes 4-6 weeks to take effect, can feel worse during this time
monitor - mood, bloods, ecg
warning - tachycardia, hypertension, no fever

Question 11

apixaban (DOAC)

Question 12

clopidogrel