Explanation Station Flashcards
Corticosteroids
A – Suppresses disease process by increasing steroid levels in our body. Our body makes steroids and these stop inflammation
T – Dependant on why you’re taking them
H – Tablet/Inhaler/IV, don’t stop suddenly as can cause problems, carry a steroid card, other protective drugs may be given e.g. PPI or Bisphosphonates
L - Dependant on why you’re taking them
E – 1 or 2 days till you will feel effects
T – No monitoring, may test specifically for disease e.g. Peak flow in asthma or Inflammatory levels in Crohns
I – Immunosuppression (See doctor as soon as you think you’re ill), Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Mood Problems (Psychosis), High Blood pressure, Adrenal Insufficiency causing adrenal crisis
C – Infection, Children
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Bisphosphonates
A – Stop bone being broken down and helps to rebuild new bone. Helps lifestyle changes you are making e.g. exercise and good diet
T – Once weekly
H – Swallow with a full glass of water on an empty stomach at begging of day. Sit up for 30 mins after.
L – 5-year review
E – You Won’t notice an effect
T – Dental check ups of jaw before and regularly
I – Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Headache, Heartburn, Bloating, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Blood in stools (Black), Abdominal Pain
C – Pregnancy, Stomach ulcers, Trouble swallowing, Renal Impairment
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Warfarin
A – Thins the blood, blocking vitamin K which helps the blood clot
T – Once daily, usually at night
H – Tablet
L – 3 months DVT, 6 months PE, Lifelong for AF
E – 2/3 days, may need warfarin bridging
T – Start 5mg, test clotting levels at 5 days and 8 days and adjust dose as required. Regular INR required
I – Bleeding (see doctor immediately with any bleeding), Diarrhoea, Rash, Hair loss, Nausea, Lots of drug interactions, check with doctor before any medication even over the counter.
C – Pregnancy, Stroke, Bleeding, High falls risk
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Thrombolysis
A – Clot buster drug, however only works when given quickly
T – One Off
H – IV
L – One off
E – Immediate
T – High dependency area monitoring every 15 mins for observations and bleeding
I – Allergic reaction, bleeds, hypotension, nausea, vomiting
C – Bleeding, Haemorrhagic stoke, Previous streptokinase use
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Statins
A – Stop your liver making cholesterol. Cholesterol is one of the things that blocks up arteries causing heart, stroke and kidney disease. Other risk factors are important as well.
T – Once daily in the evening
H – Tablet, Can’t take with Grapefruit juice as increases levels causing side effects
L – Lifelong
E – You won’t notice effects but decreases risk over many years
T – Review by doctor in 4 weeks and every 6 months. LFT’s before starting, 3 months and 12 months
I – Rhabdomyolysis, Muscle pains, Hair Loss, Itching, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
C – Pregnancy
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Clopidogrel
A – Reduces long term risk of CVS disease. Prevents formation of clots that cause heart attacks and strokes
T – Once daily, loading dose needed in emergency treatment
H – Tablet
L – 12 months, Do not stop taking, especially for stents that may occlude
E – Can take 1 week to take effects
T – Come and see doctor for side effects
I – Bleeding Diarrhoea, Constipation, rarely can cause clots
C – Active bleeding, Stopped 7 days before surgery
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
NSAIDs
A – Anti-inflammatory drug, reduces symptoms of pain, swelling or fever.
T – Tablet
H – Stop taking if acutely unwell or renal problems.
L – Long term not recommended generally as can cause pepti ulcers and CVS
E – 3 weeks until total effect felt
T – Clinical assessment
I – Indigestion (Stop taking drugs if this occurs and seek medical help), Renal impariement, Increased risk of CVS disease, Fluid retention, Bronchospasm in asthma
C – Asthma, Renal failure, Liver failure, Peptic Ulcers
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Opioids
A – Highly effective painkiller, acts on our bodies pain stopping receptors
T –May need to take anti-emetic at the same time
H – Different types, tablet, IV, oral liquid
L – May need to be increased over time as can become more resistant. Dependant on pain
E – Very Quick, Tablets take longer
T – Review with doctor in a couple of weeks
I – Respiratory depression , Addiction, Constipation, Nausea and vomiting, Neurological depression
C – Liver and renal failure doses adjusted
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Methotrexate
A – Disease modifying drug that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system. Early use improves long term disease remission
T – Once weekly with folic acid at another time in the week. Build up dose slowly
H – Tablet
L – Long term
E – 4-6 months till full effect
T – FBC, U&E, LFT’s Before, 2 weeks and every 2 months once stable
I – Alopecia, Headaches, GI Problems, Myelosuppression (Infection – Go to A&E, Bleeding, Anaemia),Liver Toxicity, Pulmonary Fibrosis
C – Pregnancy (Male or female), Breast feeding, Liver impairment, Infection, Immunodeficiency
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Thiazide diuretics
A – Water tablet for high blood pressure, helps with leg swelling. Makes you pee out more water lowering blood pressure.
T – Daily
H – Tablet
L – Long term
E – Immediate
T – Measure blood pressure, measure U&E before treatment, at 2 weeks and after changing dose
I – Hyponatraemia, Hypokalaemia, Arrhythmias, Impotence in men, Gout if prone
C – Hyponatraemia, Hypokalaemia, Gout, Avoid use of NSAIDS
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Loop diuretics
A – Increase the amount of urine you produce, getting rid of excess water
T – As needed
H – Oral or IV
L – Short term for fluid overload
E – Immediate
T – Measure U&E’s to assess for electrolyte levels and body weight
I – Dehydration, Hypotension, Low electrolytes, Hearing loss, tinnitus
C – Dehydration, Hypokalaemia, Hyponatraemia, Gout, Hepatic encephalopathy
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
ACE inhibitor
A – Lowers blood pressure, relaxing blood vessels and reducing strain on the heart.
T – Daily before bed
H – Tablet
L – Lifelong
E – Not noticed
T – U&E before treatment, 2 weeks and when changing dose
I – Dry Cough, Hypotension (first dose), Hyperkalaemia, Renal Failure, Angiooedema (Go and see doctor and stop taking them)
C – NSAID use can damage kidneys,
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Amiodarone
A – Blocks K+ channels slowing the heart down
T – Dependant on dose, multiple times a day
H – Tablet
L – It lasts in your body, so when stopped may have effects for months
E – Symptoms should respond quickly
T – CXR, Renal, Liver, TFT testing. TFT and liver every 6 months
I – Thyroid Problems, Hypotension, Pneumonitis, Bradycardia, AV node block, Hepatitis, Photosensitive Rash
C – Hypotension, Heart Block, Thyroid disease
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Amlodipine/Verapamil
A – Relaxes how hard your heart beats and relaxed your vessels rescuing pressure
T – Daily
H – Tablet
L – Long term
E – You won’t notice them
T – Based on treatment effectiveness
I – Ankle Swelling, Flushing, headache, palpitations, Tachycardia
C – Severe aortic stenosis
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
Adenosine
A – Drug will reset the heart. They will feel terrible for 30 seconds
T – Only today – 6, 12 ,12
H – IV
L – Today only
E – Immediate
T – Very close cardiac monitoring
I – Bradycardia, Asystole, Sense of impending doom
C – Hypotension, MI, Acute heart failure, Asthma, COPD
S – Patient UK/NHS Choices
