Explaining - Drugs

Question 1

Hydrocortisone take

Answer 1

Tablet daily, larger dose in morning
Do not stop suddenly
Do not eat grapefruit

Question 2

Hydrocortisone - Common SE

Answer 2

Headache
TIredness
Increased appetite

Question 3

Hydrocortisone - Less common SE

Answer 3

Face rounding, bone thinning, depression

Question 4

Hydrocortisone - Severe

Answer 4

Infection - seek medical advice

Question 5

Lithium - what is

Answer 5

Mood stabliser, unknown how works

Question 6

Lithium - taking

Answer 6

Tablet OD, same time, do not stop suddenly

If miss dose skip

Question 7

Lithium - monitoring

Answer 7

Bloods 12h after dose and 1w then every 3m

Question 8

Lithium - common SE

Answer 8

Thirst, toilet more, tremor

Question 9

Lithium - toxic

Answer 9

Drowsy, visual disturbance, confusion

Question 10

Methotrexate - what is

Answer 10

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, combats inflammation

Question 11

Methotrexate - take

Answer 11

Once weekly injections with folic acid once weekly on another day

Question 12

Methotrexate - monitoring

Answer 12

Bloods start, 2 weekly until stable then less frequent

Question 13

Methotrexate - common SE

Answer 13

Hairloss
Headache
Upset tummy

Question 14

Methotrexate - severe

Answer 14

Infection, toxic to liver, damage lungs

Stop 6 months before baby

Question 15

Metformin - what is

Answer 15

Makes body more sensitive to insulin

Question 16

Metformin - take

Answer 16

Tablet OD before breakfast

Question 17

Metformin - common SE

Answer 17

Tummy upset

Weight loss

Question 18

Meformin - severe

Answer 18

Acidic blood if kidney or liver disease

Question 19

Metformin - monitoring

Answer 19

Kidney at start and yearly

Attend review appointments

Question 20

SSRI - work

Answer 20

Stops body absorbing serotonin

Question 21

SSRI - take

Answer 21

Tablet OD, no do suddenly stop

Question 22

SSRI - monitoring

Answer 22

None

Question 23

SSRI - common SE

Answer 23

Tummy upset, decreased mood few weeks

Tummy bleeding - do not take NSAID with

Question 24

SSRI - severe

Answer 24

Serotonin syndrome - confusion, agitation, sweating, diarrhoea

Question 25

Warfarin - work

Answer 25

Thins blood

Question 26

Warfarin - take

Answer 26

Same time each day

Skip any missed doses and inform at review

Question 27

Warfarin - monitoring

Answer 27

INR - time for blood to clot

Every 3-4d until 2 correct, then 2x/week until 2 correct then longer

Question 28

Warfarin - common

Answer 28

Bleeding
Rashes
Bruising
Hairloss

Question 29

Warfarin - severe

Answer 29

Jaundice, painful skin

Severe bleeding - nosebleed >10m, anus, urine, mouth