Dysphagia

Question 1

What are some conditions that can cause dysphagia?

Answer 1

Parkinsons disease
Huntingdons
GORD
Stroke

Question 2

What is the epiglottis?

Answer 2

A flap of tissue at the back of the throat that prevents choking by closing the entrance to the trachea while eating

Question 3

What is the problem if liquids are too runny for a patient and how can this be solved?

Answer 3

If the liquid is too runny it can cause aspiration. It should be thickened e.g. by Thick and easy

Question 4

Why is there a limited availability of liquid formulations?

Answer 4

• Taste can be unpleasant
• Water leads to hydrolysis and the loss of he active ingredient
• Limited profit- short shelf life and small market size

Question 5

What are specials?

Answer 5

Specials are unlicensed medicines that are manufactured or procured specifically to meet the special clinical needs of an individual patient
- Is costly

Question 6

What is the issue of crushing tablets to put down tubes?

Answer 6

They can still block the tube

Question 7

Why do you have to be careful with formulation tampering?

Answer 7

• Crushing or dispersing a tablet can alter its bioavailability and must be cautious with drugs with low therapeutic indexes
• Taste becomes more apparent
• It becomes unlicensed- have to agree with both the administrator and prescriber

Question 8

What happens to the bioavailability if you crush tablets?

Answer 8

It increases the surface area nad therefore the bioavailability is also increased
e.g. Digoxin, F= 0.7, if crush = 1.0

Question 9

What happens if you crash a slow release tablet?

Answer 9

Immediate medication rush
Increased side effects
Extended period with no effects

Question 10

What is the role of enteric coating?

Answer 10

Prevents it from being degraded by the acid in the stomach e.g. Diclofenac would cause gi irritation

Question 11

When shouldnt crush or disperse a medication?

Answer 11

• Modified release
• Enteric coated
• Small therapeutic window
• Tablets unstable in water