Drugs 1 Flashcards
What are the 4 main types of laxatives with an example of each + onset of action?
Bulk forming: Fybogel (2-3days)
Osmotic: Lactulose, movicol (2-3 days)
Stimulant: Senna, Bisacodyl (6-12hrs)
Softener: Docusate (3 days)
In the context of possible GI obstruction or perforation which antiemetic is contraindicated?
Metoclopramide
What are the 4 main classes of antiemetic with an example for each?
Antihistamine: Cyclizine
Phenothiazines (low dose anti-psychotics): Prochlorperazine
Dopamine antagonists: Metoclopramide, domperidone
5HT3 antagonists: Ondansatron
First line antiemetic (and next options) for hyperemesis?
All first line on NICE:
Cyclizine
Promethazine
Prochlorperazine (Stematil)
Second line:
Metoclopramide
Ondansatron
Domperidone
(All maximum 5 days)
Which PPI’s are safe to prescribe with clopidogrel?
Lansoprazole
Omeprazole and Esomeprazole reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel
What is the first line antisickness for a patient with recurrent nausea due to vertigo?
Antihistamine
- Cyclizine 50mg TDS
- Betahistine 16 mg orally three times daily
First line antiemetic choices for migraine related sickness?
Metoclopramide (5days max) - 10mg TDS
Prochlorperazine - 5-10mg TDS
What are the preventative medication options for migraine?
How do you decide whether treatment has been successful?
Propranolol - 80-240mg in divided doses
Amitriptyline - 10-75mg daily ON
Tried for at least 3 months at the max tolerated dose, before deciding whether or not effective. A good response to treatment is defined as a 50% reduction in the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.
What is first line treatment for acute migraine?
Monotherapy with aspirin, ibuprofen or a triptan
(Triptan oral 50-100mg for 1 dose, nasal 10-20mg for 1 dose - followed by 2nd 2 hours later if needed)
For patients who fail to respond to monotherapy for acute migraine what is the next appropriate step?
In patients who fail to respond to monotherapy:
- Combination therapy with sumatriptan and naproxen
What is the brand name of the most common COCP?
Microgynon (30)
What is the brand name of the most common POP?
Cerazette
Amitriptyline
1) Starting dose
2) Titration speed
3) Trial length before declaring not effective
4) Max dose
1) Start 10-25mg
2) Titrate in steps 10-25mg every 3-7 days
3) Trial 6-8 weeks (at least 2 weeks at max tolerated) before deciding ineffective
4) Max 75mg OD without specialist input
Pregabalin
1) Starting dose
2) Titration speed
3) Trial length before declaring not effective
4) Max dose
1) 150mg daily (in 2/3 doses)
2) Increase by 150mg daily every 3-7 days
3) Trial for 4 weeks before deciding ineffective
4) Max dose 600mg daily (in 2/3 doses)
A patient is one pregabalin 300mg BDand is planning on coming off, how long do you reduce over?
Any pregablin gradually over minimum one week, as this is the max daily dose more likely over 12 weeks at best (see online reduction regiemes)
A young healthy male is starting gabapentin, how do you initiate his doses?
Fast titration suitable for otherwise health young adults) can start 300mg OD, D2 is 300mg BD, D3 300mg TDS - start dose 900mg daily
Slow titration:
100mg ON, increasing by 100mg daily
What is the maximum dose of gabapentin and how long should you trial max tolerated dose for?
Max dose 3600mg daily (1200mg TDS)
Trial 3-8 weeks with at least 2 weeks at max tolerated dose before declaring ineffective.
First line treatment for vaginal thrush (uncomplicated)?
Fluconazole 150mg orally STAT
OR
Clotrimazole 500mg pessary if CI/ preferred
(All available OTC)
A 32 year old patient has vaginal thrush with vulval itching, in addition to first line treatment with stat fluconazole what else may you consider?
Topical clotrimazole 1/2% cream
(Available OTC)
A 29 year old pregnant lady attends with thrush - first line tx?
Clotrimazole 100mg pessary ON
Tx: 7 days
(Or 5g 2% clotrimazole cream BD for 7/7)
Avoid oral azoles in pregnancy
What is the mainstay treatment for scabies, how much do you prescribe and how is it applied?
Permethrin cream (Lyclear)
- Apply twice, one week apart
- Apply thin layer over whole body, when skin cool and dry
- Leave on for 12 hours then wash off
Usually 30g for one application over whole adult, 15g cream one application over whole child
A patient is struggling with the intense itching from scabies - what is the best cream to help with the itching?
Crotamiton 10% cream
(In addition to permethrin scabies treatment)
You need to step up and inhaler dose but don’t know what to prescribe - what website is the best resource?
rightbreathe.com
What is the dose range of gliclazide?
- Starting dose
- When to take
- Max dose
Start 40-80mg daily
Up to 160mg - take in the morning
Can go to 320mg (then split 160mg BD)
What is the starting/ max dose of semaglutide s/c?
Initially 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
- Can increase to 0.5 mg once weekly for at least 4 weeks
- Max 1 mg once weekly
What is the dose of dapagliflozin?
10mg OD
(Single dose option)
What is the usual dose of isosorbide mononitrate?
Standard release:
- 10 - 60mg BD
Modified release:
- 25-120mg OD
How should a patient be advised to use GTN if suspected angina?
1) Stop what they are doing and rest.
2) Use their GTN spray
3) Take a second dose after 5 minutes if the pain has not eased.
4) Call 999 if the pain has not eased 5 minutes after the second dose, or earlier if pain intensifying patient unwell.
What is first line treatment for a fungal nail infection?
Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer
- Availble OTC
- Once/ twice weekly after nail filing
- Treat 6 (hands) - 12 (feet) months
Fungal nail infection, what is second/ third line medication if topical failed?
2nd: Oral terbinafine
- Prescribe 250 mg once a day for between 6 weeks for fingernail infections, and for 3-6 months for toenail infections
3rd: If this fails oral itraconazole given as ‘pulsed therapy’ (BD for 1 week, break 3 weeks, repeat x3 for toenails)
What are 3 of the most common ADHD medications used in the UK?
Stimulants:
- Methylphenidate
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Dexamfetamine
(Aim to stimulate areas of brain which improve attention)
Atomoxetine (SNRI)
You are starting a patient on a new DOAC for AF and stroke risk. When should they be followed up?
NICE advice is to follow up in 1 month (ask about bruising, side effects etc)
Bloods to be done annually
- If impaired renal function, frequency of monitoring to be CrCl/10 (so if 60, review every 6 months)
What is the half life of apixaban?
Around 12 hours
- Anticoagulant effect diminishes at 12-24 hours
What is the usual full dose of PPI (i.e. for mx of dyspepsia)?
(Omeprazole/ esomeprazole/ lansoprazole)
Full dose/ standard dose:
Omeprazole/ Esomeprazole - 40mg OD
Lansoprazole - 30mg OD
What is the usual high/ double dose of PPI (i.e. for mx of dyspepsia)?
(Omeprazole/ esomeprazole/ lansoprazole)
Double dose/ high dose:
Omeprazole/ Esomeprazole - 40mg BD
Lansoprazole - 30mg BD
What is meloxicam and what are it’s indications?
NSAID
Used for osteo/rhematoid arthritis, JIA and anklyosing spondylitis
- May reduce chance of GI side effects
Name three emollient shower washes for patients with eczema?
E45 body wash
QV gentle wash
Aveeno dermexa wash
Give three examples of eye drops which may be used for raised intraocular pressure or glaucoma?
Prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) - eg, latanoprost
Topical beta-adrenergic antagonists - eg, timolol
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists - eg, brimonidine
Miotics - eg, pilocarpine
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors - eg, dorzolamide