Drugs Flashcards
Alendronate
Class:// Bisphosphonate Indications:// Paget’s disease of the bone. Prevention and treatment of OP Hypercalcaemia of malignancy Prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with malignancies of the bone. Dose:// OP 10mg daily, or 70mg weekly. Pagets: 40mg daily Monitoring:// Renal fxn Calcium and vitamin d Dental assessment - osteonecrosis of jaw. Swallowing ability Counselling:// Take with a full glass of water, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Remain upright during this time. L4- do not take antacids, calcium, iron or mineral supplements within 30 minutes of alendronate. Take on the same day each week- set a reminder Stop and see dr if- pain on swallowing, or new or worsening heartburn. May cause nvd
Allopurinol
Class: xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Indications: Symptomatic hyperuricaemia, gout, prevention of tumor lysis syndrome. Dose: 100-600mg d, (MAX:900mg) Monitoring: Renal fxn, Hepatic fxn (can raise enzymes) Gout flares. Fbe - blood dyscrasias Counselling: Take with food (decrease GI effects) Dizzy/drowsy do not drive if effected. Stop and dr if: rash, swollen lips or mouth, persistent fever or sore throat. Will probably get gout flares in first few months of starting the medication. Ensure you know how to manage these. They will improve as it lowers the urate level. Dr will take blood tests to monitor your urate level
Amitriptyline
Class:// Tricyclics Antidepressants Indications:// Major depression, neuropathic pain, migraine prophylaxis, nocturnal enuresis. Dose:// 10-150 daily. Max 300mg. (Higher doses in depression than pain management) tds for nocturnal enuresis. Monitoring:// BP mood -may increase suicidal thoughts on initiation Sedation Seizures QT prolongation. Hepatic Counselling:// May cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dry mouth. These should lesson after about 7 days of Tx. Take at night to reduce day time drowsiness. May feel dizzy on standing Avoid driving until you know how you react to this medication. May increase the effect of alcohol Do not stop abruptly.
Amoxycillin
Class://
Penicillin / Antibiotic
Indication://
CAP
UTI
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Acute Prostatitis
Dose://
250-1000mg TDS or 1g BD
Monitoring://
Hepatic
Renal - Long term
FBE - Long term
Allergy
Cultures and Sensitivity and Response
Counselling://
Monitor for allergy - SOB, Swelling - See dr
Space doses equally throughout the day.
Complete the course.
May cause NVD, widespread rash.
Aspirin
Class:// NSAID, Antiplatelet. Indication:// Acute coronary syndrome Hx of symptomatic atherosclerosis Pain, inflammation, fever Dose:// 75-150mg d 300-900mg q4-6h prn max 4g d. Monitoring:// Risk/signs of bleeding Renal Allergy Counselling:// Take the tablets out of the packaging just before use - degrades in the packaging Mix dispensable aspirin with water immediately before taking. Take with food. Be aware this can increase your risk of bleeding. Can cause Gi upset.
Azathioprine
Class://
Immunosuppressant
Indication://
Prevention of organ transplant rejection
Immune and inflammatory disease – RA, Inflammatory bowel disease, SLE (Lupus), Autoimmune hepatitis, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis.
Dose://
1-3mg/kg daily in 1-2 doses, adjust per response, however adjusted under specialist supervision.
Monitoring://
- FBE – Particularly White Cell Count
- Hepatic Function
- Signs of infection
- Renal
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of metabolites – Available but not common
Counselling://
- Labels:8, 21, A*, B
- A & B – Swallow tablets whole with food.
- 8 – Avoid excessive sun exposure whilst taking this medication – wear protective clothing and use sunscreen.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any signs of bleeding, brusing or signs of infection.
- May cause some NVD.
Baclofen
Class://
Muscle Relaxant
Indication://
Chronic Spasticity with MS and Spinal Cord Lesions
Chronic Spasticity of cerebral origin
Dose://
5-25mg TDS
Doses of 120-150mg daily may begiven in hospitalised patients.
Monitoring://
- Renal
- Hepatic
- BSL - if diabetic
- BP
- Respiratory depression
Counselling://
- L1,9,B
- B = Take tablets with food to minimise stomach upset.
- L1 – May cause drowsiness, dizziness or affect vision – do not drive if affected.
- L9 – Do not stop abruptly – May cause severe withdrawal effects such as anxiety, seizures or altered mental state.
- May increase the effects of alcohol
- NVD or C.
Betamethasone (Topical)
Class://
Corticosteroid
Indication://
- Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Dose://
- Apply 1-2 times daily.
- Diproprionate (0.05%) (potent)
- Valerate (0.02, 0.05, 0.1%) (moderate)
Monitoring://
- Clinical effect
- Skin atrophy
- Infection
- Duration of tx
- Compliance to non-pharmacological advice.
Counselling://
- Apply after bathing.
- Allow sufficient time to absorb prior to applying moisturiser.
- Not for long term use - only use for flare ups
- May make skin sensitive when first using
- Do not apply to broken or infected skin
- Ensure to follow non-pharmacological advice – No soap, avoid irritants/triggers, plenty of moisturiser.
Buprenorphine
Class://
Partial Opioid Agonist
Indication://
Moderate-to-severe pain
Opioid dependence
Dose://
Sublingual: 200-400mcg q6-8h
Patch: 5mcg/hr starting – MAX 40mcg/hr – do not increase dose at intervals of less than 4 days, or apply more than 2 patches at the same time
Change each patch every 7 days.
Opioid Dependence: 2-8mg starting – Maintenance – 12-24mg d. Upto 32mg d.
Monitoring://
- Clinical effect
- Sedation, respiratory depression
- Constipation
- Renal
- Hepatic
- Tolerance, Dependence
- Withdrawal
Counselling://
- Sublingual: Place tablet under tongue and keep in place until dissolved. Do not chew or swallow the tablet.
- Patch: Write the date and time of application on the patch with permanent marker, then apply to dry, non-irritated, hairless skin on upper torso. Check the patch is still applied on the days between patch changes.
- Remove after 7 days and put a new patch on a different area (avoid using the same area for 3 weeks).
- Do not wear more than 2 patches at one time.
- Whilst wearing the patch, do not allow it to come into contact with direct sources of heat such as electric blankets, heat pads, heat lamps, saunas and hot baths.
- Ensure you know how to dispose of the patches safely.
- May make you feel drowsy and may increase the effects of alcohol. Do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
- If you are very sleepy or have trouble staying awake tell dr.
- Be careful when your stand up as this may make you feel dizzy.
- Chronic use: look after your teeth and mouth, get dental checks.
- May cause nausea or vomiting – should get better with use.
- May cause constipation – may need to treat this. See dr or pharmacist if it is a problem.
Cabergoline
Class://
Ergot Derivative – Dopamine Agonist
Indication://
Parkinson’s Disease
Hyperprolactinemia – including Prolactinomas
Prevention of onset of lactation – for medical reasons.
Dose://
Parkinson’s: 0.5-1mg ONCE daily (starting) MAX 3mg ONCE daily.
Hyperprolactinaemia: 0.5mg each week in 1 or 2 doses. (Starting) MAX 2mg each week.
Supressing Lactation: 1mg as a single dose on day 1 postpartum.
Monitoring://
- Sx of fibrotic disorders (in patients on long-term treatment)
- Regular cardiovascular evaluation, including ECG
- Impulse control disorders
- Hepatic Impairment
Counselling://
- Take with food, starting at night
- Tell your doctor is you develop shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain
- May cause dizziness or drowsiness, if affected do not drive or operate machinery
- Be careful when you stand up too quickly
- Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in behaviour eg. Overspending, gambling or excessive sexual activity.
- If you are effected by nausea or vomiting, see your doctor as there is treatment options for this.
Carbamazapine
Class://
Anti-epileptics
Indication://
Epilepsy
Trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Bipolar Disorder
Dose://
100mg BD initially.
400mg-1.6g in 2 or more doses MAX 2g.
**Different ranges for different indications**
Monitoring://
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring – not common. 4-12mg/L for epilepsy.
- FBE
- Skin reactions
- Mood
- BMD, Calcium and Vitamin D
- Hepatic
Counselling://
- Labels: 5, 9, 12, 13, 18, 21, A, B
- A – Swallow the controlled release tablets whole – Do not crush or chew.
- B – Take with food to minimise stomach upset
- 12 – May cause dizzy or drowsiness, or blurred vision especially when starting or increasing dose – do not drive if affected.
- 18- This medication interacts with grapefruit juice.
- 9 – Do not stop taking this medication abruptly.
- 5 -This medication may have significant drug interactions, therefore if you want to start any other medications, including over the counter, vitamins, or natural or complementary medicines, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Carbamazepine increased the effect of alcohol
- Speak to your doctor if
- Rash, Sore Throat, fever, Mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding occur.
Celecoxib
Class:// NSAIDs Indications:// Pain due to inflammation arthropathies. Pain, especially due to inflammation and tissue injury Dosage:// 100mg twice daily. May increase to 400mg daily, but only use short term. Monitoring:// Renal fxn, Hypersensitivity to NSAIDs or allergy to sulphonamides. Hepatic FBE, BP, weight, GI adverse effects. Cardiac (Ci in heart failure) Counselling:// Do not take if you are dehydrated, eg vomiting or diarrhoea, because it might increase the likely hood of side effects. If you develop swollen ankles, difficulty breathing, chest pain, black stools, dark coffee coloured vomit - stop taking this medication and see your doctor. Do not take aspirin for pain relief.
Cephalexin
Class:// cephalosporins Indications:// UTI Staph and strep infections if patients have mild penicillin allergies. Epididymo-chrosis Dose:// 250-500mg qid or bd. Max 4g d. Monitoring :// Cultures and sensitivities Renal fxn Allergy FBE Counselling:// Take until all finished May cause NVD Any signs of allergy - stop and see dr
Ciprofloxacin
Class:// Quinolone Indications:// Complicated UTI Bone or joint infections. Prostatitis. Dosage:// 250-750mg bd. Max 1.5mg Monitoring:// Seizures Renal fxn Cultures, sensitivities. Counselling:// Take on an empty stomach (1hr before, or 2 hrs after) Do not take dairy products, antacids, iron, zinc or calcium within 2 hrs of a dose. May increase the effects of caffeine Avoid sun exposure, protective clothing and use sunscreen. May cause dizzy/ drowsy - do not drive or operate machinery if effected. Alcohol may make this worse. Stop this medication if you Develop any tendon soreness or inflammation, or numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
Citalopram
Class:// Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Indications:// Depression, Anxiety Disorders Bulimia Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Dose:// 20-40mg daily Monitoring:// QT prolongation Sodium Serotonin toxicity Hepatic Counselling:// Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how you are effected Do not stop abruptly Tell all Drs, pharmacists and dentists that you are taking as there may be significant interactions. May cause sexual dysfunction, if this a problem ensure you discuss this with your dr. May cause nausea, diarrhoea, or sleep disturbances.
Cyproterone with ethinylestradiol (Brenda, Estelle)
Class://
Combined oral contraceptive – Estrogen / Progesterone
Indication://
Androgenisation (mild-to-moderate hirsutism) and contraception in these women
Acne, Contraception, Menstrual disorders, endometriosis, PMS
Dose://
1 tablet daily.
2mg cyproterone/ 35mcg ethinylestradiol
Monitoring://
- Relief of symptoms – if being used for heavy bleeding, PMS or androgen-related conditions.
- VTE Risk
- Smoking
- History of VTE
- BP
- BP
- Pap Smears
- Breast Checks
- Breakthrough bleeding
Counselling://
- Take one tablet once daily, at the same time each day.
-
When to start:
- *Take the strip out and show the patient*
- If no previous hormonal contraception – Start in the coloured section in the first 5 days of your period – This provides immediate contraceptive cover. If you start when not on your period – Start with active tablets, and use additional contraceptives for 7 days.
- If Switching from other Pill – Start taking active pills after stopping the old pill.
- Changing from a POP – Start active pills without any interval form the POP, you need 7 days of active pill for contraceptive cover!
-
What to expect:
- Whilst taking the inactive pill you should get a withdrawal bleed. However this may not occur.
- Continue taking pills as normal however consider possibility of pregnancy if pll is not taken properly, or, TWO withdrawal bleeds are missed.
- Irregular bleeding is common in the first few months.
- The pill may be less effective fi taking certain medicines that interact with the pill. Including herbal medicines – SJW
- Or if you have vomiting, diarrhoea or forget to take active tablet
-
Missed Pills
- Vomiting within 2 hours of Pill - Take another pill ASAP.
- Less than 24 hours late – Take as soon as you remember – contraception not effected.
-
More than 24 hours – Take as soon as you remember, then take the next one at the normal time – this may mean taking two at the same time.
- You then need to take 7 active tablets until contraceptive cover will return.
- If the missed pill was in the last 7 days of a strip – Skip the inactive pills and continue with the next strip of actives.
- If the missed pill was in the first 7 days after inactive pills – and you had unprotected sex in this period – seek emergency contraception.
- There are rare side effects that can occur with use of this medication that you need to be aware of
- There is an increased risk of developing a clot therefore, if you have any difficulty breathing, chest pain or swelling and pain in the leg see your doctor immediately.
- There is an increased risk of breast cancer with use of this medication – therefore it is important to do regular breast checks and report any changes in your breast to the doctor to be checked out.
- While on this medication it is also important to get regular pap smears, and report any changes in vaginal bleeding for example if you have any irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding or bleeding after sex.
Dapaglifozin
Class:// Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors Indications:// T2DM Dose:// 10mg once daily. Monitoring:// Renal fxn (60 CI) Hepatic (avoid in severe impairment) HbA1c, BSL Dehydration Counselling:// Avoid dehydration - drink enough water. To control thirst. More likely to get genital infections - UTI or thrush. Good hygiene is important, and see dr or pharmacist if you think you have an infection. Your urine will test positive during treatment with this medication.
Desmopressin
C: Antidiuretic Hormone Analogue
I:
Diagnostic aid for differential diagnosis of polyuria
- Central (cranial) diabetes insipidus*
- Nocturnal enuresis* (see Desmopressin (genitourinary))
Nocturia due to idiopathic nocturnal polyuria (see Desmopressin (genitourinary))
Control of bleeding in patients with mild or moderate haemophilia and type I von Willebrand’s disease (seek specialist advice)
Control of bleeding in surgery in people with certain platelet disorders (seek specialist advice)
Dose –
Intranasal - 10-40mcg daily
Oral Tab - 200mcg - 1.2mg daily in divided doses Sublingual Wafer - 120-720mcg daily in divided doses
*Depends on the indication*
M:
- Water balance – especially if response to thirst is not working.
- Renal
- Sodium – risk of hyponatreamia.
- Contraidicated with HF
C:
Tell your doctor immediately if you have headache, nausea, vomiting or weight gain.
Wafer: place the wafer under your tongue and allow it to dissolve; do not swallow.
headache, nausea, abdominal cramps
Intranasal, local irritation, rhinitis, nosebleed
Diazepam
Class://
Benzodiazepine
Indication://
Short-term Anxiety
Acute Alcohol withdrawal
Muscle Spasm
Status Epilepticus
Benzo withdrawal
Acute behavioural disturbances
Parasomnias.
Dose://
1-10mg up to THREE times a day.
May be higher under specialist supervision.
Monitoring://
- Dependence – Physcial and psychological dependence, tolerance and misuse.
- Renal Fxn – Start lower.
- Hepatic Fxn – CI if encephalopathy is present. Mild-to-mod – use low dose
- Sedation and drowsiness
- Falls risk.
Counselling://
- May make you feel drowsy while taking this medication. Drowsiness may persist into the following day. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if affected
- Avoid alcohol or other medications that may make you drowsy while taking this medication
- If you take this medication regularly for longer than 2-4 weeks your body may become to use to it, and in time you may need a higher dose for it to work. If you stop this medication suddenly you make have unpleasant side effects (Anxious, difficulty sleeping). Discuss stopping this medications with your doctor first!
Digoxin
Class:// Antiarrythmic, cardiac glycoside Indications:// -Af and Atrial Flutter -heart failure Dose:// 62.5-250mcg once daily (Max 500mcg) Higher for loading dose (125-500mch q4-6h) Monitoring:// -Thyroid -Electrolytes -renal fxn -ECG - arrhythmias -therapeutic drug monitoring, -toxicity - fatigue, malaise, nvd, dizzy, delirium, anorexia Counselling:// L5- interactions Let your dr know if you experience any nvd, dizziness, visual disturbances, or a rash.
Domperidone
Class://
Dopamine Antagonist
Indication://
Nausea and vomiting
Gastroparesis
Lactation Stimulation
Dose://
10mg TDS MAX 30mg daily.
Monitoring://
- Relief of nausea
- QT prolongation
- EPSE
- Prolactin Level
- Interactions – QT prolongation
- Renal and Hepatic Fx – Dose adjustment.
Counselling://
- Take one tablet up to THREE times a day when required for nausea and vomiting.
- If your nausea is related to food, or using for gastroparesis – take 30-60minutes before food.
- May cause dry mouth or a headache.
Donepezil
Class://
Anticholinesterase
Indication://
Alzheimer’s Disease
Dose://
5-10mg daily (according to clinical response)
Monitoring://
- Drug interactions
- Drugs with anticholinergic effect
- Drugs that cause bradycardia (increased risk of bradycardia or hypotension)
- Clinical Improvement
Counselling://
- Usually taken at night, but can be taken in the morning if easier or if insomnia or vivid dreams occur.
- This medication does not sure Alzhiemers, or prevent the patient developing Alzhimers.
- This medication may make you feel dizzy or drowsy, do not take drive or operate heavy machinery if effected.
Exenatide
Class://
Glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue (GLP-1)
Indication://
- T2DM
Dose://
- Subcut – 5-10mcg BD
- Subcut – 2mg once a week
Monitoring://
- BSL, HbA1c
- Hypoglycaemia
- Tolerability (GI adverse effects)
- Pancreatitis
- Renal Fxn
Counselling://
- Ensure you know how to administer these and how to prescribe them.
- Rotate injection sites.
- Daily – Give 60 minutes prior to Breakfast and dinner (or your two main meals, which are at least 6 hours apart
- Do not use it after a meal.
- The medicine slows stomach emptying, which can reduce the absorption of some medications – Take antibiotics at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after injecting exenatide.
- Once weekly – Inject once a week on the same day each week, with or without food.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unexplained severe abdominal pain.
- This medicine causes nausea and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea, when you start taking this medication, but it usually reduces and stops within a short time. If affected drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Famciclovir
Class://
Guanine Analogue – Anti-viral
Indication://
Shingles,
Herpes Simplex Virus
Dose://
125mg – 500mg 1-3 times daily.
Renally adjusted
Higher doses are used in immunecompromised patients.
Single Dose for cold sore = 1500mg
Monitoring://
- Renal Fxn
- For improvement or recurrence of symptoms
- Immune status.
Counselling://
- If you have recurrent herpes infections – carry a course of tablets with you so that you can start treatment as soon as you notice symptoms.
- May make you feel dizzy or confused – Do not drive if you experience symptoms.
- Headache, VD