Drugs and Drug Reactions Flashcards
Fixed Drug Eruption
Sulfonamides (#1 cause on genitals)
NSAIDs (esp. naproxen, targets lips)
Tetracyclines (Doxy=genitals)
Pseudoephedrine (cause of non-pigmented)
Stevens-Johnson
- Allopurinol
- Anticonvulsants
- Lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- Risk highest in first 2 months
- Valproate does not cross-react with others
- Lamotrigine does not cross react w/ aromatics
- Antibiotics (sulfondamides > B-lactams, cephalosporins, minocycline, antifungal)
- NSAIDS
- NNRTIs (Nevirapine, abacavir, efavirenz) - neva efa abracadabra
- Others (contrast medium, dengue, etc.)
Linear IgA bullous dermatosis
VSADCLIP
Vanc (#1)
Sulfa/statin
Amio
Diclofenac
Captopril, gCSF
LI/lasix
IFN-g/IL-2
PCN, phenytoin, puva, piroxicam
Drug-induced pemphigus
ICRAP
Indocin
Captopril
Rifampin
Ampicillin
PCN, Penicillamine.
Bullous pemphigoid
Onycholysis
Taxanes (hemorrhagic and painful)
AGEP
Within days of starting drug
B-lactams
Macrolides
Terbinafine
CCBs
Hydroxychloroquine
Carbamazepine
NSAIDs
Diuretics
Hand-Foot Skin Reaction (HFSR)
Clinically similar to acral erythema variant of TEC but less severe acral dysesthesia and hand swelling; classic feature is prominent hyperkeratotic plaques on areas of friction; Rx: tazorac, 40% urea and efudex (treats hyperkeratosis)
Multi-kinase inhibitors (sorafenib, sunitinib, VEGF inhibitors), capecitabine (pre-cursor to 5-FU)
Exudative hyponychial dermatitis
Combination of docetaxel and capacitabine (for breast cancer)
Lower foot ulcer, dermatomyositis-like
Hydroxyurea
Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation
5-FU
Necrosis of psoriatic plaques
MTX
Sticky Skin Syndrome
Doxorubicin + ketoconazole
Sclerodermoid Reaction
Lower extremities most common - taxanes
Flagellate hyperpigmentation
Bleomycin
Shittake mushrooms
Alopecia
Drug-induced alopecia is non-scarring, diffuse, and reversible; two main types:
- Telogen effluvium: delayed (2–4 mos after starting med) diffuse non-scarring alopecia
- Anagen effluvium: rapid (within 2 wks of starting med) diffuse non-scarring alopecia; due to rapid cessation of cell division (mitoses) within hair matrix
Telogen effluvium: Heparin, β-blockers, IFN, lithium, retinoids, OCP
discontinuation, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, ACE inhibitors, colchicine, NSAIDs
Anagen effluvium: Chemotherapy, heavy metals (arsenic, gold, thallium, bismuth)
Gingival hypertrophy
Typically occurs in first year of drug; starts in interdental papillae of the front teeth, on labial side → may progress to involve rest of teeth with multinodular overgrowth of gums; spares edentulous areas; degree of hyperplasia strongly correlated with poor oral hygiene; histology: excess buildup of otherwise normal gum tissue; Rx: strict oral hygiene, drug d/c, surgical removal if all else fails
Phenytoin (most common, 50%) > nifedipine (25%) and cyclosporine (25%)
Less common: other
anticonvulsants, other CCBs,
lithium, amphetamines, OCPs
Corticosteroids
Apremilast (Otezla)
• Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor (blocks IL-
• Used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Most common SEs are diarrhea and nausea – resolve on
their own within 4 weeks usually
• Depression and weight loss have also been reported
• Dose halved in patients with severe renal impairment
• No laboratory monitoring required
Tralokinumab (Adbry) IL-13 blocker
Janus Kinase Inhibitors
Tofacitinib
• JAK 1 and 3 inhibitor
• FDA approved for moderate to severe rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) patients who have failed MTX
• Topical and oral have been tested in psoriasis; reports of
oral used in alopecia areata
• Most common SEs: URI, mild headaches, and nausea
• May have ↓hemoglobin and mean neutrophil count, but
usually normalize on treatment
• May have ↑LDL, HDL, CK, TGs, and LFTs
• Tuberculosis reactivation not reported
Ruxolitinib
• JAK 1 and 2 inhibitor
• FDA approved for treatment of intermediate- or high-risk
myelofibrosis
• Topical version tested in psoriasis; reports of oral used in
alopecia areata
• Mainly local SEs
Azathioprine
Important pharmacology points
- TPMT activity is reduced in certain populations, and functional enzyme allele sequencing is available
- ↓activity of TPMT (measured by allele activity) or ↓xanthine oxidase (as a result of allopurinol or febuxostat) → ↑azathioprine levels → ↑risk of life-threatening myelosuppression
- ACE inhibitors, sulfasalazine, and concomitant use of folate antagonists also increases risk of myelosuppression
- Azathioprine may decrease anticoagulant effects of warfarin and reverse neuromuscular blockade
Indications
- FDA approved indications: organ transplantation and severe RA
- Off-label dermatologic uses include atopic dermatitis, chronic actinic dermatitis, Behçet’s disease, bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, dermatomyositis, oral lichen planus, and pemphigus
Side effects
- Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and immunosuppression (correlates with low TPMT activity)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and lymphoma (particularly non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma) with nNo clear evidence of increased risk for dermatologically dosed indications
- Infection (particularly human papilloma virus, herpes simplex, and scabies)
- Teratogenicity
- Hypersensitivity syndrome (usually between first and fourth week of therapy and more common in patients who are receiving concomitant cyclosporine or MTX)
- Gastrointestinal SEs – most common adverse effect of azathioprine – include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (often present between first and tenth day of therapy); also gastritis and pancreatitis
- Transaminase elevation and severe hepatocellular toxicity are rare
Cyclosporine
Mechanism of action
- Forms a complex with cyclophilin, which inhibits calcineurin – an intracellular enzyme – which in turn reduces the activity of NFAT-1 (transcribes various cytokines, such as IL-2)
- ↓IL-2 production leads to decreased numbers of CD4 and CD8 cells.
Important pharmacology points
- Cyclosporine should ideally be gradually tapered while an alternative therapy is instituted to prevent flaring
- Maximum dermatologic dose = 5 mg/kg daily and can be used continuously for up to 1 year according to the FDA (2 years for worldwide consensus data)
- Cyclosporine lipid nanoparticles formulation maximum dermatolyte dose = 4 mg/kg
- For obese patients, ideal body weight should be used to calculate starting dose
Indications
- FDA approved for psoriasis
- • Off-label uses include atopic dermatitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, bullous dermatoses, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, neutrophilic dermatoses, and pityriasis rubra pilaris among others
SEs
- Contraindicated in patients with cutaneous lymphoma (risk of progression)
- Nephrotoxicity and hypertension are the two most notable SEs of cyclosporine, which are dose- and duration-dependent
- Irreversible kidney damage is avoided if patients receive dermatologic doses (2.5–5 mg/kg daily), have dose adjusted when creatinine increases by 30% from baseline, and use cyclosporine for no longer than 1 year
- Hypertension occurs in 27% of psoriasis patients who receive cyclosporine and is thought to be secondary to renal vasoconstriction
- When HTN develops, it can be controlled with medication and is not a contraindication to continuing therapy
- Prescription of choice = CCBs (e.g., nifedipine or isradipine), because they do not alter cyclosporine serum levels
- ↑risk of NMSC in psoriasis patients, particularly when treated >2 years
- Risk of other malignancies, such as lymphoma, is unclear
- Hyperlipidemia not uncommon – dietary changes and ↑ physical activity should be recommended
- Other SEs include: hypertrichosis, gingival hyperplasia, myalgia, paresthesia, tremors, malaise, hyperuricemia (can precipitate gout), hypomagnesemia, and hyperkalemia
Mycophenolate Mofetil
Hydroxyurea
Anti-malarials
TNF-a inhibitors
Ustekinumab
Rituximab
UVA Blockers
New FDA Sunscreen Guidelines
- Only sunscreens that have been shown to block UVA
and UVB can be labeled as “broad spectrum” - Sunscreens can have a label with a numbered SPF up to SPF 50. Higher SPF sunscreens will be labeled as “SPF 50+”
- Only SPF 15+ broad-spectrum sunscreens can claim to reduce risk of skin cancer and slow photoaging
- Elimination of the terms “sweat proof,” “sunblock,” and “water proof”
- Water-resistant sunscreens can claim up to 40 or 80 min of resistance with sweating or swimming
IL-17 Inhibitors
Cases of new- onset inflammatory bowel disease or exacerbation of disease activity occurred during the clinical trials of IL-17 inhibitors. The package inserts for all the interleukin IL-17A inhibitors—, secukinumab, ixekizumab, and brodalumab—advise that these drugs be used with caution in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The other treatment options listed to do not have a known increased risk for inducing or exacerbating inflammatory bowel disease.
Telangiectasias
SCLE-Like Drug Rxn
Photosensitivity Rxns
Azelaic acid