Drugs Flashcards
Warfarin
how works
Thins the blood to prevent blood clots by blocking vitamin K which is used by the body to make clots
Warfarin
contra
Pregnancy
Bleeding
Sig risk of bleeding
Warfarin
how taken
OD each evening
Warfarin
monitoring
INR days 3,4,5 then regularly in clinic
Warfarin
SE
Bleeding
Nausea and diarrhoea
Interactions with drugs - avoid cranberry juice, liver, spinach
DOAC
contra
Sig renal impairment
Sig bleeding risk
Active bleeding
DOAC
how works
Thins blood to prevent blots by blocking one of the proteins used to form clots
DOAC
how to take
Once or twice daily with full glass of water
DOAC
monitoring
None regularly
Renal function before and annually
DOAC
se
Bleeding
GI disturbance
Levothyroxine
contra
None
Levothyroxine
how works
Synthetic version of hormone produced by thyroid gland
Levothyroxine
how taken
OD before breakfastL
Levothyroxine
monitoring
TSH every 3 months until stable
When stable annually
Levothyroxine
SE
Hyperthyroid symptoms (vomiting; diarrhoea; headache; palpitations; heat intolerance) if too high
Hypothyroid symptoms (cold intolerance, constipation) if too low
Statin
contra
Pregnancy
Statin
how works
Stops liver from making cholesterol, high cholesterol causing problems in arteries which increases risk of heart disease and stroke
Statin
how take
OD in evening
Statin
monitoring
Review in 4 weeks then every 6-12 months
LFTs before starting, at 3 months and 12 months
Statin
se
Muscle pain
Itching
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Metformin
contra
Sig renal impairment
Low BMI
Metformin
how works
Increases response to insulin so cells can move glucose from blood
Metformin
how take
Daily tablet taken with meals
Metformin
monitoring
U&Es before starting then annually
HbA1c every 3-6 months until stable then 6 monthly check ups
Metformin
se
Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss
Lactic acidosis - do not take day of and 2 days after general anaesthesia
Iron tablets
contra
None
Iron tablets
how works
Replaces bodies iron store, which is needed to make red blood cells
Iron tablets
how take
1 to 3 times daily tablet, works best taken without food