Medical History Flashcards
What is flutiform inhaler used for?
Treatment of moderate to severe asthma.
What type of inhaler is flutiform?
Combined corticosteroid steroid inhaler.
What are the active ingredients of flutiform?
Fluticasone Propionate- steroid
Formoterol Fumarate Dehydrate- long acting beta agonist.
What dosage of flutiform is the patient on?
125 microgram/5 microgram actuation.
- 125 micrograms of fluticasone and 5 micrograms or formoterol fumarate.
What questions might you want to ask someone about their asthma?
How often do you get your asthma checked? (peak flow, height, weight, BP).
What was your last peak flow measurement?
What are your asthma triggers?
How long have you been on this medication? Has the dosage increased or decreased since you were prescribed it?
When did you last have an asthma attack?
Have you ever been hospitalised for asthma?
Have you ever taken any tablets for your asthma?
If someone is on Flutiform, what does this tell you about their asthma?
Flutiform is not used as a first line treatment for asthma- suggests that the asthma is moderate to severe.
What are the contraindications for the use of flutiform?
Thyrotoxicosis
Phaeochromocytoma
Diabetes Mellitus
Uncorrected hypokalaemia
Patients predisposed to low serum potassium
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Idiopathic subvalvular aortic stenosis
Severe hypertension
Aneurysm
Severe cardiovascular disorders- ischaemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias or severe heart failure.
What are the possible systemic effects of steroid inhaler therapy?
Cushing’s syndrome
Cushinoid features
Adrenal suppression
Growth retardation in children and adolescents
Decrease in bone mineral density
Cataract glaucoma
Stomach issues?
What are the oral side effects of inhaled corticosteroid therapy?
Dry mouth
Dry throat
Cough
Hoarseness
Candida infections
How is fluticasone and fomoterol metabolised?
In the liver- increased exposure can be expected in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
What is the patient’s asthma triggers?
Cold air/cold wind that hits the back of the throat
Certain smells- lavender
Hayfever
How often does the patient get their peak flow checked?
Attends the asthma nurse once per year and gets their peak flow checked at this appointment.
How often do they use Salbutamol?
Only required when the patient has a cold or chest infection, when their chest gets tight.
Last time he took it was at Christmas time when he had a chest infection.
What is Salbutamol?
Short acting beta-adrenergic receptor agonist.
Causes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles to alleviate asthma symptoms.
What medications must you be wary of prescribing to someone who takes Salbutamol?
Fluconazole- it can induce hypokalaemia.
Betamethasone- can cause increase risk of hypokalaemia.
Beclometasone- can increase risk of hypokalaemia.
Hydroxychloroquine- it can induce hypokalaemia.
NSAIDs- can cause bronchospasm.