M+M Drugs/ Examinations Flashcards
Name 5 general side effects of antipyschotics?
Weight gain, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, stomach upset, memory problems, fatigue, motor (parkinsonain etc)
What are the two very serious side effects of antipyschotics?
Agranulocytosis - fever, rash, sore throat
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome- Hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypotension, seizures
SSRI’s - How/ how often do you take?
Tablet OD
SSRI - Length of tx
Stop 6 months after better but taper off
SSRI - Time to working
4-6 weeks
SSRI - SE’s to counsel (5)
2 weeks (GI disturbance and increased anxiety)
Low sex drive
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
SSRI - Tests and monitoring (1)
Review in 2 weeks
SSRI -
Contraindications (2)
Suicide risk
Past psych illness
Heart conditions (long-QT)
SSRI - Supplementary advice (2)
www.mind.org.uk
Don’t stop abruptly
Methotrexate - How to take (3)
Once weekly tablet
(Injection also available)
- Folic acid on other day
Methotrexate - Length of treatment
Long term
Methotrexate - Time to working
1 to 3 months
Methotrexate - Tests (details and frequency) - (4)
FBC, U+E’s, LFT’s
Baseline
@2weeks til stable
2-3 monthly
Methotrexate - Side effects (3)
Alopecia
Headaches
GI Disturbance
Methotrexate - Complications (3)
Pulmonary toxicity - SOB
Liver toxicity - Warn about alcohol
Myelosuppresion- Warn about infections (if you do get an infection then stop AB’s)
Methotrexate - Contraindications (3)
Immune deficiency
Pregnant/ breast feeding
Hepatic impairment
Methotrexate - Supplementary (3)
No NSAIDS, aspirin
Get flu jab annual
Arthritisresearch.org.uk
Lithium - How to take? (2)
Tablet, capsule or syrup
OD or BD
Lithium - Length of treatment
Long term
Lithium - Time to working
1-2 weeks
Lithium - Tests at baseline (4)
FBC, U+E, TFT’s, ECG
Lithium - Monitoring (3)
Check after 5 days
Then every week till stable for 4 wks
Then every 3 months
Lithium - Side effects (4)
GI (abdo pain/ nausea)
Metallic taste
Fine tremor
Water symptoms (thirst, polyuria, oedema)
(plus lithium toxicity)
Lithium - Complications to warn about (3)
Lithium toxicity (GI symptoms, ataxia, drowsiness)
Renal toxicity
Hypothyroidism
Lithium - Contraindications (4)
Pregnancy/ breastfeeding
Problems with heart
Problems with kidneys
Problems with thyroid
Lithium - Supplementary (1)
www.bipolaruk.org.uk
Atypical anti-psychotics - Mechanism for patients
Schizophrenia causes over-activity of chemicals which transmit messages in the brain
Medication helps block some of these messages
Atypical anti-psychotics - How to take
Tablet OD or depot injection (weekly)
Atypical anti-psychotics - Length of treatment
Quite a while, we want you to be stable and keep you there
Atypical anti-psychotics - Time to working
Immediately but may not feel full effects for a few days to weeks
Atypical anti-psychotics - tests
Occasional LFT’s
Atypical anti-psychotics - Important side effects (3)
Weight gain
Movement problems
Drowsiness
Atypical anti-psychotics - complications (2)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever and stiff muscles)
Agranulocytosis (sore throat, rash, infection)
Atypical anti-psychotics - contraindications (2)
Liver failure
Pregnancy (caution- risk benefit)
Levodopa - Mechanism for patients
Works to replace dopamine in your brain
As bits of your brain have stopped making it in PD
Levodopa - How to take
Tablet 3-4x daily with food
Levodopa - Length of treatment
For as long as keeps working, after 5 years most see end dose deterioration
Levodopa - Time to working
Immediately but a few days to a few weeks to see full effects
Levodopa - Tests
None
Levodopa - Important SE’s (3)
Psychosis and mania
N+V
Movements you can’t stop (dyskinesias)
Levodopa - Complications (1)
End dose deterioration and on off effects
Levodopa - Supplementary info
www.parkinsons.org.uk