immune + malignant disease

Question 1

name some common side effects of Ciclosporin

Answer 1

gastrointestinal discomfort; gingival hyperplasia; hair changes; hepatic disorders; hyperglycaemia; hyperlipidaemia; hypertension; electrolyte disturbances

Question 2

which conditions can ciclosporin be used to treat

Answer 2

• Severe acute ulcerative colitis refractory to corticosteroid treatment
• Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
• Short-term treatment of severe atopic dermatitis where conventional therapy ineffective or inappropriate
• organ transplantation

Question 3

what are the conditions that indicate you need to gradually withdraw prednisolone

Answer 3

gradually withdraw if the disease is unlikely to relapse and:

• received more than 40 mg prednisolone (or equivalent) daily for more than 1 week
• been given repeat doses in the evening
• received more than 3 weeks’ treatment
• recently received repeated courses (particularly if taken for longer than 3 weeks)
• taken a short course within 1 year of stopping long-term therapy
• other possible causes of adrenal suppression

Question 4

which steroid is most likely to cause hypertension as side effect

Answer 4

hydrocortisone

note: all corticosteroids can increase blood pressure*

Question 5

which medication is at risk of haemolysis due to G6PD-deficiency

Answer 5

Dapsone

*note: dapsone is used to treat leprosy + Pneumocystis. *

Question 6

what colour can sulfasalazine change your urine

Answer 6

orange (your sweat + soft contact lenses may also turn orange)

note: sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis + crohns disease

Question 7

what is the only way to administer vincristine

Answer 7

by I.V. Vincristine injections are for intravenous administration only

note: intrathecal administration can cause severe neurotoxicity, which is usually fatal. This drug is used for different types of cancers