Medications in Rheumology

Question 1

Start with 10-15 mg po weekly.

Answer 1

methotrexate

Question 2

Avoid doses greater than 5 mg/kg daily

Answer 2

Hydroxycholoriquine

Question 3

SHIIPP ME

Answer 3

Sulfasalazine
Hydralazine
Isoniazid Inflixamab
Procainamide, penacillamine

Methyldopa, minocycline
Etanercept

Question 4

Ustekinumab to treat:

Answer 4

Stelara for
Psoriatic arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Chrohn disease
Plaque psoriasis

Question 5

Before starting Ustekinumab:

Answer 5

evaluate for TB

Question 6

Monitor for Ustekinumab results:

Answer 6

normalization of CRP
Improvement in # of swollen/tender joints
reduction in joint pain

Question 7

Before starting Rituximab:

Answer 7

CBC including platelets
Check for hepatitis B infection:
HBsAg and anti-HBC

Question 8

Rituximab to treat:

Answer 8

1 Rheumatoid arthritis (with methotrexate) [if inadequate response to MTX or 1+ TNF a inhibitors]
2 Primary Sjogren’s syndrome
3 Microscopic polyangiitis (with glucocorticoids)
4 Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (with glucocorticoids)

Question 9

Side effects Rituximab

Answer 9

Hepatitis B infection reactivation
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (brain infection)
Increased risk of infection
Diarrhea
Nasopharyngitis
Change in heart rhythm

Question 10

Monitoring Rituximab

Answer 10

CBC before first infusion
CBC before each course
CBC @ 2-4 month intervals
Renal function