Drug Side Effects, to Avoid in Conditions

Question 1

Side effects of steroids

Answer 1

STEROIDS PIE

Stomach ulcer
Thin skin
Edema
Right and left heart failure
Osteoporosis
Infection
Diabetes
Syndrome of Cushing

Proximal myopathy
Insomnia, depression
Eyes: glaucoma, cataracts

Question 2

Side effects of NSAIDS

Answer 2

No urine (AKI)
Systolic dysfunction (heart failure)
Asthma
Indigestion
Dyscrasia (clotting anomaly)
Swelling (oedema)

Question 3

Which type of hypertension drug can cause peripheral oedema

Answer 3

CCB

Question 4

Which type of diuretic can cause gout

Answer 4

Loop diuretics

Question 5

Which type of diuretic can cause gynaecomastia

Answer 5

K sparing diuretic (spironolactone)

Question 6

Common side effect of beta blockers

Answer 6

Erectile dysfunction

Question 7

Common side effect when ACEi is first started

Answer 7

Small rise in creatinine (<20percent)

No need to change prescription. Repeat UnEs after 1 week

Question 8

Side effect of ondasetron

Answer 8

Prolonged QTc

Generally safe but avoid if prolonged QTc, give cyclizine instead

Question 9

Common side effect of incretin mimics (-glutides)

Answer 9

Nausea and vomiting

Question 10

Which type of hypertension drug can cause headache

Answer 10

CCB

Question 11

How does carbamezapine affect electrolytes

Answer 11

Hyponatremia

due to SIADH

Question 12

Serious side effect of lamotrigine

Answer 12

Steven Johnson’s

Question 13

Common side effects of valproate

Answer 13

3 Ts

Tremor
Teratogenic
Tubby (weight gain)

Question 14

What hypothyroidism drug can cause neutropenia

Answer 14

Carbimazole

Question 15

Common side effects of phenytoin

• neuro
• mouth
• liver

Answer 15

Neuro: Ataxia, Peripheral neuropathy
Mouth: Gum hyperplasia
Liver: Hepatotoxicity

Question 16

What cardiac drugs to avoid in heart failure

Answer 16

Verapamil (negative inotropic effect)

Flecainide for VT/ SVT (negative inotropic effect)

Question 17

What type of patients should you never give compression stockings to

Answer 17

Peripheral artery disease

Question 18

What diabetes drug to avoid in heart failure

Answer 18

Thiazolidinediones eg pioglitazone (causes fluid retention)

Question 19

What painkillers to avoid in heart failure

Answer 19

NSAIDs, steroids (cause fluid retention)

except low dose aspirin, which is safe

Question 20

What antiemetic to avoid in heart failure

Answer 20

Cyclizine (worsens peripheral oedema)

Use METOCLOPRAMIDE

Question 21

Which antibiotics to avoid in pregnancy

Answer 21

tetracyclines
aminoglycosides (eg gentamycin)
Metronidazole
trimethoprim

Question 22

Which long-term medications to avoid in pregnancy

Answer 22

ACEi/ARB
Statins
Warfarin
Sulfonylureas

Question 23

Which drugs to avoid in asthma

Answer 23

B blockers
NSAIDs
Adenosine (use verapamil instead)

Question 24

Drugs that prolong QT interval

Cardiac

Answer 24

Amiodarone
Sotalol
CCB rate limiting

Question 25

Drugs that prolong QT interval

Antihistamines

Answer 25

Terfenadine

Question 26

Drugs that prolong QT interval

Antibiotics/ antifungals

Answer 26

Macrolides (eg clarithromycin)
Quinolones (eg ciprofloxacin)
Antifungals: fluconazole, ketoconazole

Question 27

Drugs that prolong QT interval

Antipsychotics

Answer 27

Most antipsychotics

Question 28

Drugs that prolong QT interval

Antiemetics

Answer 28

Domperidone

Question 29

Drugs that worsen hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 29

Sedatives, opioids
Constipating drugs
Loop and thiazide diuretics

Question 30

Drugs that worsen ascites in chronic liver disease

Answer 30

NSAIDs

Steroids

Question 31

What hypertension drug to avoid in aortic stenosis

Answer 31

ACEi

Question 32

In T1DM, excessive alcohol causes hyper or hypoglycaemia

Answer 32

Excess alcohol = Hypoglycaemia