GI system Flashcards
Where does ulcerative colitis affect
Mucosal inflammation and ulcers
restricted to colon and rectum
Symptoms of UC
- bloody diarrhoea or rectal bleeding
- abdominal pain (cramps) and tenesmus)
- systemic features (severe); malaise and fever
Symptoms of acute flare up of UC
Mouth ulcers
Arthritis
Sore skin
Weight loss
Fatigue
What drugs are contraindicated in acute flare up of UC
Loperamide
Codeine phosphate
avoid anti-motility drug/antispasmodics: paralytic ileus = increased risk of toxic megacolon
What is chrohns disease?
Chronic inflammation of the GI tract from mouth to anus
What is fistulating Chrons disease (CD)
A complication that involves the formation of abnormal connection between two organs or vessels
Link between smoking and CD
Smoking cessation reduces risk of relapse
Drugs used in IBD
Aminosalicylates
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressive
Biological drugs
Antibiotics
Surgery
Examples of aminosalicylates
Masalazine
Sulfasalazine
Examples of corticosteroids
Methyl prednisolone
Prednisolone
Examples of immunosuppressive
Azathioprine
Mercaptopurine
Example of biological drugs
Infliximab
Antibiotics used in IBD
Ciclosporin - UC
Metronidazole / ciprofloxacin - CD
What type of IBD may require surgery
Crohn’s disease
fistulae
What pain killer can be given in IBD
what one is avoided
Paracetamol
Avoid NSAIDS - risk of bleeding
What is giving to patient with UC and constipation?
Bulk forming laxative
Avoid all other types of laxative
What laxative is beneficial in proximal proctitis
Macrogol- containing osmotic laxative
What area of the bowel does proctitis affect?
Choice of drug form
Rectum
*Suppositories**
What area of the bowel does left-sided colitis (distal) affect?
Choice of drug form
Descending colon
Enema
What area of the bowel does proctosigmoiditis affect?
Choice of drug form
Rectum and sigmoid colon
Foam preparation
What area of the bowel does extensive colitis (proximal) affect?
Choice of drug form
Most of ascending colon
Oral drug
What is used in acute mild- moderate UC first line?
Pricititis / Proctosigmoiditis
Aminosalicylate (rectal or oral or both)
Alt: Rectal/oral corticosteroids
Extensive colitis / Left-sided colitis
High dose oral aminosalicylate
+rectal aminosalicylate or oral beclometasonse
Alt: oral prednisolone
What is used in acute mild- moderate UC second line?
- Add oral prednisolone (after 4 weeks with aminosalicylate)
- Add oral tacrolimus (if no response after 2-4 weeks)
What is used in acute moderate to severe UC first line?
Oral prednisolone
Alt: monoclonal antibodies
Treatment of acute sever UC
First line: IV Corticosteroid + assess need for surgery
- Alt: IV Ciclosporin or surgery
Second line: IV Ciclosporin + IV Corticosteroids or Surgery
- Alt to Ciclosporin: infiximab
Maintenance of remission in UC
Aminosalicylate
- oral azathioprine/ mercaptopurine - if 2+ acute flare-ups in 12 months that required systemic corticosteroids
- Monoclonal antibodies - continued if effective/tolerated during acute flare up
What needs to be monitored in UC
Bone health
Treatment of CD (monotherapy)
Corticosteroid - prednisolone, methyl prednisolone, IV hydrocortisone
Alt: budesonide (1st) or aminosalicylate
When to introduce add on treatment for CD
- If 2 or more inflammatory exacerbations in 12 months
- Corticosteroids dose cannot be reduced
What are the add on treatments for CD
1st: Azathioprine / Mercaptopurine
2nd: Methotrexate
What to be monitoring with CD treatment
Neutropenia
Maintaining remission in CD
- Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine
- Methotrexate, if worked previously
Corticosteroids or budesonide should NOT be used
Remission of CD post surgery
1st: Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine
If had >1 resection or complex/debilitating disease
2nd: Aminosalicylate
Side effects of aminosalicylate
- Blood dyscrasia
- Nephrotoxicity
- Agranulocytosis
- Renal impairment
- Salicylate hypersensitivity (itching and hives)
- yellow/orange bodily fluids with sulfasalazine
Counselling with aminosalicylate
- Avoid bright sunlight/ sun beds and use sun scream (SPF >15)
- Preps with granules should be placed under tongue and washed down without chewing
Interaction with mesalazine
Lactulose
Prevents sufficient release of the active ingredient in E/C or M/R preparations
Counselling with methotrexate
Give with folic acid
OW on a different day of methotrexate
Reduce toxicity
What can be used to decrease acid stimulation
H2 - antagonists
PPI