Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) (Wolff) Flashcards
What are drugs of first choice for rheumatoid arthritis due to efficacy and rapid onset of action?
What is a drug of choice for additional pain relief?
1) NSAIDs
2) Acetaminophen
Glucocorticoid receptors complexing with what transcription factors is a major indirect mechanism for immunosuppression?
What is an inhibitor of PLA2 that is among the genes activated?
1) NF-κB and AP1
2) Lipocortin
What are the clinical applications of glucocorticoids such as prednisone?
Treatment of RA by relieving pain and inflammation while waiting for DMARD effects
Prednisone has no biological effect until it is converted into what by the liver?
Prednisolone
Using glucocorticoids for how long makes it more effective than either placebo or an NSAID?
Clinical experience suggests that glucocorticoids are effective for how long?
1) ≤ 1 month
2) ≤ 6 months
What Nonbiologic DMARD accumulates in cells over multiple weeks and also blocks thymidylate synthase and 5-aminoimidazole-4- carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR)
transformylase?
Methotrexate
The resulting AICAR due to methotrexate accumulation leads to an efflux of what?
This then binds to what on cell surface to exert anti-inflammatory effects?
1) Adenosine
2) Purinergic GPCRs
Methotrexate acts faster than all other DMARDs with clinical effects evident in?
3-6 weeks
What is the clinical application of methotrexate?
Drug of first choice for RA
For treatment of RA, methotrexate should be adminstered?
Once per week, either orally or by injection
While low doses of methotrexate are well-tolerated, what should patients be taking supplements of?
Folate
What are life-threatening major toxicities associated more with higher doses of methotrexate?
1) Bone marrow suppression
2) Hepatic fibrosis
3) GI ulceration
4) Pneumonitis
Which Nonbiologic DMARD is a lipophilic weak base that accumulates in lysosomes?
Hydroxychloroquine
In regard to the effects of hydroxychloroquine, the higher pH of the lysosomal vesicles in APCs limits the association of peptides with?
MHC class II molecules
While hydroxychloroquine can slow disease progression, it has what caveat?
It has a delayed onset (3-6 months)
What are the clinical applications for hydroxychloroquine?
1) Mild RA
2) Antimalarial
What advantage does hydroxychloroquine have over methotrexate?
Hydroxychloroquine is considered safe to use during pregnancy
What rare but serious adverse effect is seen with hydroxychloroquine?
Retinal damage
What is the clinical application of the Nonbiologic DMARD sulfasalazine?
RA as monotherapy or apart of a triple therapy (w. hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate)
What common toxicity is noted with sulfasalazine?
Derm reactions because its a sulfa drug
What side effects of sulfasalazine are most commonly due to discontinuing use?
GI side effects