Explanations Flashcards
Hypertension
Over 65
Heart disease
Angina
Amlodipine
Hx - alcohol, smoking, lifestyle, diet, PMH: T2DM, HF, liver, renal.
1) Calcium channel blocker which acts on the smaller vessels in your body allowing blood to flow through more easily and reduce BP
2) Lifelong medication, swallow tablet (or dissolve) once a day, any time, same time, no matter about food, won’t feel better with it but still take it
3) Swollen ankles, headache, dizziness… can get better after a few days. Not everyone, but if they persist come back, discuss other options.
4) Grapefruit juice - increases effects. If you want to get pregnant let doc know they can look at medications.
5) A&E if anaphylaxis. Chest pain, severe stomach pain, yellow.
Stoke
Heart attack
DVT
PE
Apixaban (CHAD2VASC)
Hx - liver, spine injury/surgery, DH, PMH (current bleed risk), St John’s Wart, SH for sports. ICE.
1) Blood thinner which reduces chance of blood clots forming and to prevent things like stroke, heart attack and clots in leg/lung
2) Timeline depends: two weeks post surgery, provoked (one off) = 3months; unprovoked or continuing threat = 3+ months; long term with AF. twice daily tablet, consistent time, to swallow with or without food, might not feel better but important to prevent things so keep taking it.
3) Anticoagulant alert card, carry at all times and take to any medical/dental appointment. Doctor will have a follow up appointment to make sure all is well and to check for side effects.
4) Side effects: bleeding - normal bleed for longer, gums, nose bleeds, bruises, heavier periods. ADVICE - press on bleed, ice bruise, softer toothbrush, electric razor, reduce contact sports.
5) STOP APIXABAN - HOSPITAL - red pee, black poo, v heavy/long periods, vomit blood, 10mins + nose bleeds, headaches. This doesn’t happen to everyone and I’m not trying to scare you, I just need to know that you know what to do in case this does happen.
6) avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, St Johns wart, can drink but don’t binge as increases effects, if try to get pregnant tell us.
7) don’t double up if same day
High cholesterol
Heart disease
DM
RA
20mg if primary, 80mg secondary.
STATIN
Hx - PMH: liver, kidney, hypothyroid, haem stroke, muscle disorder. diet, exercise, smoking, DH. What kind of food do you eat, what exercise do you get in your daily routine?
1) This helps the liver to reduce the cholesterol in your blood. If the cholesterol in your blood is too high, this can cause your blood vessels to narrow and sometimes they get blocked. We worry about this because it can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. You might not feel different but its important to take it to prevent these things happening.
2) Can be lifelong, once daily, at night, doesn’t matter about food. Reason at night is because the liver is most active at night and bc this medication works on liver it will have biggest effect then.
3) Side effects: tummy upset, joint and muscle aches, symptoms of a cold. These may improve after a few days, but if they don’t improve do speak to pharmacist or GP.
4) Call doctor if severe tummy or muscle pain, yellow, rash on palms, pale wee or dark poo. A&E 999 if anaphylaxis.
5) Grapefruit juice and if you want to get pregnant let us know.
