Malignancy Flashcards
What specific interaction and dose reduction is given to antiproliferative drugs?
Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are reduced to a quarter of usual dose with allopurinol
What advantages and disadvantages does mycophenolate have compared to azathioprine?
More selective mode of action and reduces risk of acute rejection.
Risk of opportunistic infections or blood disorders may be higher
How is tolerability to antithymocyte immunoglobulin prevented?
Pre treatment with IV corticosteroid and antihistamine. Paracetamol may be beneficial.
What enzyme activity to antiproliferative drugs rely on? What risks does low levels create?
TPMT. Myelosuppression.
What monitoring is required with ciclosporin
Concentration Liver function Potassium, magnesium Lipids Creatinine, BP and renal
What advice should be given to patients on ciclosporin?
Maintain same brand. Avoid UV light
What advice and monitoring is needed with tacrolimus and sirolimus?
Monitor blood concentrations
Avoid UV light
Exclude pregnancy before use and effective contraception needed with sirolimus during and 12 weeks after stopping
BP, ECG, glucose, electrolytes, hepatic and renal function with tacrolimus
What advice should be given with mycophenolate?
Cough and dyspnoea may suggest bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis. Pregnancy prevention programme - pregnancy tests before treatment, effective contraception up until 6 weeks after stopping. Same for male patients and partners for 90 days after stopping.
Report infection or unexplained bruising/bleeding.
What are the different patterns of multiple sclerosis? Which don’t have treatment?
Relapsing remitting - relapses and remission periods.
Active if at least 2 relapses in last 2 years.
Highly active if continued relapse rate despite interferon beta
Rapidly evolving severe if 2 or more in 1 year and altered MRI
Primary progressive - gradual worsening
No licensed treatment - interferon beta has been used
Progressive relapsing - gradual worsening with relapses
No treatment
What vitamin may multiple sclerosis patients be given?
D
Which lifestyle choice effects progression of multiple sclerosis?
Smoking
What is given in multiple sclerosis relapses?
Corticosteroids
What can be advised and given for fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis?
Advice regular exercise and cognitive techniques
Amantadine
Fampridine
What can aggregate spasticity in multiple sclerosis and what drugs can be given?
Constipation, infection, poor mobility aids, pressure ulcers,posture and pain. Baclofen, gabapentin Tizanidine, dantrolene Benzodiazepines Cannabis extract
What should be monitored with peg interferon beta?
Signs of hepatic injury
Thrombotic microangiopathy - thrombocytopenia, hypertension, fever, CNS symptoms, impaired renal fucction
Nephrotic syndrome - oedema, proteinuria, impaired renal function.
What monitoring is required with fingolimod?
ECG for monitoring for heart block especially at first dose. Continuous monitoring for 6 hours. Extend if anomalies.
Eye examination Skin examination Liver enzymes FBC Monitor for signs of haemophagocytic syndrome (pyrexia, asthenia, Hyponatreamia) MRI
What is cytokine release syndrome and what drugs can it occur with?
Characterised by severe dyspnoea
Anti lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies
What side effect requires MRI monitoring for multiple sclerosis medication and which drugs?
Multifocal leucoencephalopathy
Natalizumab, ocrelizumab and fingolimod - monitor for signs of neurological symptoms. Alert card with Natalizumab