Even Numbers Flashcards
Clopidogrel
Mechanism (3)
Indication (1)
Side effects (2)
PK and PD (1)
Patient info (2)
Haematological
-> Anti-platelet drug
Mechanism of action:
- Irreversibly blocks the ADP(adenosine diphosphate)-receptor on platelet cell membranes
- Consequently inhibits formation of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, required for platelet aggregation (as it is the receptor for fibrinogen)
- Decreased thrombus formation
Indication:
- Secondary prevention of thrombotic events
Side effects:
- Bleeding (1-10% of patients)
- Abdominal pain/ diarrhoea (1-10% of patients)
Important PK and PD:
- Avoid in liver failure!
Patient info:
- may be advice to stop clopidogrel before surgical procedures
- patients should not stop clopidogrel without consulting their doctor if they have an arterial stent in-situ
Unfractioned Heparin
Mechanism of action (4)
Indications (3)
Side effects (3)
PK/PD (6)
Patient info (2)
Haematological
-> Heparins
Mechanism of action:
- Enhances activity of antithrombin III
- Antithrombin III inhibits thrombin.
- Heparins also inhibit multiple other factors of the coagulation cascade
- This produces its anticoagulant effect
Indications:
- Treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic diseases, including induction of vit. K antagonists
- Renal dialysis (Haemodialysis)
- Acute Coronary Syndrome treatment
Side effects:
- Bleeding ( Major haemorrhage risk can be as high as 3.5%)
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Osteoporosis
PK/PD:
- Administered by continuous intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injections
- Non-linear relationship -> needs TDM (therapeutic drug monitoring)
- Effects monitored using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- Can be reversed with protamine
- Unfractioned heparin has a shorter duration of action than LMW Heparin
- Because of 4 & 5 used in preference to LMW Heparin, in selected patients,(e.g. peri-operatively)
Patient Info:
- Risk of bleeding
- Regular blood monitoring is required
Vit. K Antagonist
Mechanism of action (3)
Indication (2)
Side effects (3)
PK/ PD (5)
Patient info (3)
Haematological
-> Warfarin
Mechanizm of action:
- Inhibits vit K epoxide reductase
- Prevents recycling of vit. K to reduced form after carboxylation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X
- Prevents thrombus formation
Indications:
- Treatment of venous thromboembolism
- Thromboprophylaxis in: AF/ metallic heart valves/ cardiomyopathy
Side effects:
- Bleeding
- Warfarin necrosis
- Osteoporosis
PK/PD:
- There are numerous drug interactions/ food interactions
- Reversal by giving vit. K
- Polymorphism in key metabolizing enzymes (VKORC1 and CYP2C9)
- Needs therapeutic drug monitoring and monitored loading regimen
- Monitored with INR and dose adjusted according to indication
Patient info:
- Need for compliance/ attendance at visits for monitoring
- Care needed with alcohol
- Must inform doctor before starting new drugs - avoid over the counter aspirin preparations
Factor Xa Antagonists
Mech of A (2)
Indications (2)
Side effects (2)
PK PD (3)
Patient Info (1)
Haematological
-> Rivaroxaban
Mechanism of action:
- Inhibits conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, reducing concentrations of thrombin in the blood
- This inhibits the formation of fibrin clots
Indication:
- Treatment and Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (especially post-operative)
- Thromboprophylaxis in non-valvular AF
Side effects:
- Bleeding
- Nausea
PK PD:
- Predictable drug interactions (metabolized via CYP 450, inc CYP 3A4)
- No need for therapeutic monitoring
- Currently no available antidote
Patient info:
1.Risk of bleeding
Cardioselective Beta-blockers
Mechanism of action (5)
Indication (4)
Side effects (7)
PK/PD (3)
Patient info (2)
Cardiovascular
-> Bisoprolol, Atenolol
Mechanism of action:
- Cardioselective beta-1- adrenoreceptor antagonist
- Preferentially blocks the beta-1 receptors in cardiac and renal tissue
- Inhibits sympathetic stimulation of the heart and renal vasculature
- Blockade of the sino-atrial node reduces heart rate ( negative chronotropic effect) and blockade of receptors in the myocardium depresses cardiac contractility (negative inotropic effect)
- Additionally, blockade of beta-1 adrenoceptors in renal tissue inhibits the release of renin, depressing the vasoconstriction effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Indication:
- Hypertension
- Angina
- Rate-control in atrial fibrillation
- Carvedilol or Bisoprolol may be used as part of supportive therapy for mild/ moderate heart failure
Side effects:
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Bronchospasm
- Fatigue (up to 10%)
- Cold extremities
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of hypoglycemic awareness
PK/PD:
- Avoid higher doses and use with caution in patients with asthmatic and COPD- risk of bronchospasm
- Avoid in patients with history of frequent hypoglycaaemia
- Do not combine Beta-blockers with rate-limiting Ca2+ Channel Blockers (Verapamil/Diltiazem) in anti-hypertensive therapy, due to risk of heart- block
Patient info:
- Compliance is important- patients may stop beta-blockers if they do not feel any better; remind them that hypertension is symptomatic but nonetheless a dangerous risk factor that needs to be controlled
- Fatigue and cold extremities are common side-effects
ACE inhibitors
Mechanism of action (2)
Indication (4)
Side effects (5)
PK/PD (1)
Patient info (2)
Cardiovascular
-> Ramipril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril
Mechanism of action:
- Inhibits conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II (a more potent systemic vascoconstriction)
- This action subsequently inhibits Aldosterone release from the adrenal cortex, depressing renal sodium and fluid retention, thereby decreasing blood volume
Indications:
- Hypertension
- HF
- Nephropathy
- Prevention of Cardiovascular events in high risk patients
Side effects:
- Dry cough (10 % of patients)
- Hypotension
- Hyperkalaemia ( high potassium)
- Renal impairment
- Angioedema
PK/PD:
1. Adverse drug reactions are higher in patients with: high-dose diuretic therapy/ Hypovolaemia/ Hyponatraemia/ Hypotension/ Unstable HF/ Retovascular disease
Patient info:
- Blood test required at 1-2 weeks to check electrolyte balance
- Dry cough is common side-effect
Rate limiting Calcium Channel Blockers
Mechanism of action (4)
Indications (3)
Side effects (2; 4)
PK/PD (3)
Patient info (3)
Cardiovascular
-> Varapamil; Diltiazem
Mechanism of action:
- Prevent cellular entry of Ca2+ by blocking L-type calcium channels
- Myocardial and smooth muscle contractility depressed. Cardiac contractility will be reduced.
- Dilate coronary blood vessels and reduce afterload
- Antidysrhythmic actions due to prolonged atrioventricular node conduction- depresses heart rate
Indications:
- Supraventricular arrhythmias
- Treatment of angina
- Hypertension
Side effects:
Verapamil
1. Constipation (up to 11.7%)
2. Flushing/ Headache/ Dizziness/ Hypotension ( up to 2.5%)
Diltiazem
- GI disturbances (up to 6%)
- Bradycardia (up to 3.6%)
- Peripheral oedema (up to 15%)
- Dizziness/ Headache/ Hypotension (is to 4.3%)
PK/PD:
- Contra-indicated in heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction due to potent negative inotropy
- Avoid in bradycardia and hypotension
- Do not use with beta-blockers
Patient information:
- Constipation is a common side effect with Verapamil
- Ankle swelling is a common side effect with Diltiazem hot weather making it worse
- Compliance is important- patients may stop calcium-channel blockers if they do not feel any better. Remind them that hypertension is symptomatic but nonetheless a dangerous risk factor that needs controlled
HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Mechanism of action (5)
Indications (2)
Side effects (4)
Patient info (2)
Other (1)
Cardiovascular
->Simvastatin; Atorvastatin; Pravastatin
Mechanism of action:
- Competitively inhibits HMG CoA Reductase; the rate-determining enzyme in the mevalonate pathway synthesis of cholesterol
- This causes an increase in LDL- receptor expression, on the surface of hepatocytes
- Increases hepatic uptake of cholesterol, reducing plasma cholesterol levels
- Reduces development of atherosclerotic plaques
- Statins may have additional pleotropic effects
Indications:
- Familial hyper cholesterolaemia
- Prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients
Side effects:
- Myalgia (5-7%)
- Myopathy ( with creatine kinase elevation) and rhabdomyolysis are rare
- GI disturbances (Varied symptoms; up to 6%)
- Liver abnormalities- deranged LFTs
PK/PD:
1. Myalgia and Rhabdomyolysis are dose- related, begin with low dose, especially in patients with previous side-effects
Patient info:
- . Report any unexpected muscle pains to their GP, who will check a creatine kinase blood level
- Diarrhoea and abdominal pain may be present initially
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
Mechanism of action (3)
Indications (1)
Side effects (7)
PK/PD (3)
Patient info (3)
Cardiovascular
-> Amiodarone
Mechanism of action:
- Blocks cardiac K+ channels, prolonging repolarisation of the cardiac action potential
- Restores regular sinus rhythm
- Slows atrioventricular nodal conduction
Indications:
1. Supraventricular/ventricular arrhythmias
Side effects:
- Photosensitivity skin reactions (up to 75%)
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Hyper/ Hypothyroidism (high iodine content)
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Corneal deposits (a lot)
- Neurological disturbances
- GI disturbances/ Hepatitis
PK/PD:
- Very long half-life, once daily dosing, can take weeks/months to achieve steady state amidarone-plasma concentrations
- Thyroid function tests should be performed before treatment and every 6 months or when symptomatic
- LFTs should be taken during treatment
Patient info:
- Need good compliance and attendance
- Avoid sun exposure, wear protective clothing
- Report presence of rush
Beta-lactams -> Cephalosporins
Mech (5)
Indications (1)
Side effects (3)
PK/PD (2)
Patient info (2)
Anti-infectives
-> Ceftriaxone, Cephalexin
Mechanism of action:
- Attaches to penicillin-binding-proteins on forming bacterial cell walls
- This inhibits the transpeptidase enzyme which cross links the bacterial cell wall
- Failure to cross-link induces bacterial cel autolysis
- Less susceptible to beta-lactamases than penicillins
- Provides both gram-positive an gram- negative cover
Indications:
1. Serious infection: septicaemia/ pneumonia/ meningitis
Side effects:
- Hypersensitivity reactions ( Low cross- reactivity in patients with true penicillin allergy- can be as low as 3-7%)
- Antibiotic-associated C. Difficult diarrhoea
- Liver function impairment
PK/PD:
- Renal excretion
- Longer half-life, needs to be given once daily
Patient info:
- Diarrhoea is a common side effect
- Report any incidence of a rash after use - Risk of hypersensitivity reactions
Aminoglycosides
Mech of action (3)
Indications (2)
Side effects (3)
PK/PD (4)
Patient info (2)
Anti-infectives
-> Gentamicin
Mechanism of action:
- Binds to 30s ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis, inducing a prolonged post-antibiotic bacteriostatic effect
- Additionally, bactericidal action on bacterial cell wall results in rapid killing early in dosing interval and is prominent at high doses
- Also provides a synergic effect when used alongside other antibiotics (such as flucloxacillin or vancomycin in trap-positive infections)
Indications:
- Severe gram-negative infections (such as biliary tract infection, pyelonephritis, hospital-acquired pneumonia)
- Some severe gram-positive infection (such as soft tissue infection and endocarditis)
Side effects:
- Nephrotoxicity (2-10% patients affected)
- Ototoxicity
- Side -effects related to prolonged exposure to high-drug concentrations
PK/PD:
- Give high dose to take advantage of rapid killing
- Leave long dosing interval to minimize toxicity
- Measure trough level to ensure gentamicin is not accumulating and only prescribe further doses once this is confirmed
- Try to limit use to approx 3 days to minimize risk of side-effects
Patient info:
- Ask patients to report any change to their hearing
- Risk of kidney damage so monitoring of drug levels and renal function tests are required
Macrolides
Mech of action (2)
Indications (6)
Side effects (4)
PK/PD (2)
Patient info (3)
Anti-infectives
-> Clarithromycin, Erythromycin
Bacteriostaic and bacteriocidal
Mechanism of action:
- Binds to 50s ribosomal subunit
- Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis
Indications:
- Atypical organisms causing pneumonia/ Severe community acquired pneumonia
- Severe campylobacter infection
- Mild/ moderate skin and soft-tissue infection
- Otitis media
- Lyme disease
- Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy
Side effects:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- QT wave prolongation
- Ototoxicity with long-term use
PK/PD:
- Uses hepatic enzyme Cytochrome P450 pathway
- Can interact with all drugs using this pathway, especially Simvastatin, Atorvastatin and Warfarin
Patient info:
- Risk of diarrhoea
- Senses of smell and taste may be disturbed during therapy
- Tooth and tongue discoloration may occur during therapy
Anti-virals
Mech of action (2)
Indication (2)
Side effects (3)
PK/PD (3)
Patient info (1)
Other (1)
Anti-infectives
-> Aciclovir
Mechanism of action:
- A guanosine derivative, converted to triphosphate by infected host cells
- Aciclovir triphosphate then inhibits DNA polymerase, terminating the nucleotide chain and inhibiting viral DNA replication.
Indications:
- Herpes simplex infection
- Varicella zoster infection
Side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Local inflammation at infusion site (IV only)
PK/PD:
- Can be given orally, intravenously or topically
- Penetrates well into the CSF with CSF concentrations being 50% concentration of that of plasma
- Excreted by the kidneys so dose adjustment is needed in renal impairment
Patient info:
1. Multiple/ repeat doses may be required in Immunosuppression patients
Other:
1. Type of infection/recurrent infection may prompt HIV testing
Beta- Adrenergic Bronchodilators
Mech of action (4)
Indications (2)
Side effects (4)
PK/PD (1)
Patient info (3)
Respiratory
-> Salmeterol
Mechanism of action:
- Long-acting Beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist (LABA)
- Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, inducing bronchodilation
- Inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine release from mast cells and TNF-a release from monocytes, reducing airway inflammation
- Increase mucus clearance from the airways by stimulating cilia action
Indications:
- Asthma
- COPD
Side effects:
- Tremor
- tachycardia/ cardiac dysrhythmia
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
PK/PD:
1. Not to be commenced in patients with rapidly deteriorating asthma- slower onset of action than SABA’s
Patient info:
- Report any deterioration in symptoms following initiation of LABA
- Do not exceed stated dose
- Seek medical advice when stated dose fails to control symptoms
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Mech of action (3)
Indications (2)
Side effects (3)
PK/PD (2)
Patient info (2)
Respiratory
-> Beclomethasone
Some inhaled preparations used in COPD and asthma contain both inhaled steroids and long acting bronchodilators (eg Seretide and Symbicort)
Mechanism of action:
- Anti-inflammatory effect on the airways
- Decrease formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Up-regulates beta-2-adrenoreceptors in airways
Indications:
- Treatment of CODP
- Treatment of asthma
Side effects:
- Oral Candiditis (thrush)
- Adrenal suppression
- Osteoporosis
PK/PD:
- Takes several weeks to months for full effect of therapy
- Spacer devices can reduce risk of thrush and improve drug delivery
Patient info:
- If on higher dose, carry a steroid card
- Increase dose during periods of illness