High risk drugs Flashcards
Loading Dose of amiodarone
200mg TDS for 7 days, then 200mg bd for 7 days
Maintenance dose amiodarone
200mg
Side effects of amiodarone
Bradycardia/blue Interstitial lung disease Thyroid Corneal/cutaneous Hepatic/hypotension
Monitoring of amiodarone before
TFTs
Serum potassium
Chest xray
Monitoring on amiodarone
LFTS
TFTs every 6 months
eCG
Symptoms can continue for several weeks after discontinuation
Warfarin and amiodarone
Increased anticoagulant effect of warfarin
Beta blockers and amiodarone
Increased risk of bradycardia, AV block and myocardial depression
Amiodarone and lithium
Risk of ventricular arrhythmias
Amiodarone and digoxin
Increased digoxin concentration
Digoxin mechanism
cardiac glycoside
Increases myocardial contraction and reduces conductivity in AV node
Optimum plasma concentration digoxin
1-2 mcg/L
1.5-3 indicates toxicity
Digoxin monitoring
serum electrolytes esp potassium
renal function
Toxicity of digoxin
Made worse by hypokalaemia
Managed by giving potassium sparing diuretic
Digoxin side effects
Nausea and vomiting
Blurred or yellow vision
Confusion or delirium
Digoxin and erythromycin
Increased digoxin concentration
Digoxin and rifampicin
Reduced digoxin concentration
Digoxin and St John’s Wort
Reduced digoxin concentration
Digoxin and diuretics
Increased toxicity of digoxin if hypokalaemia occurs with loops and thiazides
Digoxin and CCBs
Increased digoxin concentration
Lithium serum concentration
0.4-1 mmol/L
Above 1.5mmol/L fatal/toxic
Lithium toxicity
Levels Increased urination Tremor and thirst Hair thinning and hypothyroidism Interactions Upset stomach Muscle weakness Skin effect - acne or psoriasis
Lithium monitoring
Lithium conc every 3 months
U&Es and TFTs every 6-12 months
Maintain sodium concentrations
Lithium counselling
Maintain adequate fluid intake
Avoid dietary changes with sodium
Lithium and ACE inhibitors
Excretion of lithium reduced by ACE inhibitors – Risk of lithium toxicity
Lithium and NSAIDS
Excretion of lithium reduced by NSAIDS – Risk of lithium toxicity