Medicines 38

Question 1

If mebendazole cant be given for threadworm what is the advice?

Answer 1

🪱 Threadworm Treatment – Hygiene Measures Only

When?
✅ Consider hygiene measures alone when:

Drug treatment is not wanted

Drug treatment is not recommended (e.g. during pregnancy)

How?
Follow strict hygiene measures (see “Practical Tips”) for 6 weeks:

🧼 Wash hands and nails regularly
🧺 Wash bedding, towels, and clothes frequently
🚽 Clean bathrooms and toilets daily
👕 Wear tight-fitting underwear at night
🛑 Avoid nail biting and thumb-sucking

Why?
➡️ After 6 weeks, all intestinal worms die naturally
➡️ No new eggs ingested = no reinfection

Question 2

What do the following words mean?

Orthopnoea

Apnoea

Answer 2

Orthopnoea 🛏️ – Shortness of breath when lying flat

Apnoea 😴 – Temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep

Question 3

Which antimalarial can be bought OTC as a P medicine

Answer 3

Maloff Protect: Contains atovaquone 250 mg and proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg.

Question 4

Which vaccines do people with splenectomy need (NHS)

Answer 4

People without a fully working spleen should also have the following extra immunisations:

pneumococcal vaccine
meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)
meningococcal B vaccine (MenB)
influenza vaccine (flu) every year

Question 5

What are the steps to take if someone is having anaphylaxis in the community pharmacy?

Answer 5

📞 Step 1:
Instruct another staff member to call 999 immediately — report a suspected anaphylaxis.

💉 Step 2:
Locate and administer adrenaline (e.g. EpiPen) right away.

‼️ Why This Order Matters:

MEP guidance: If a pharmacist gives adrenaline, they must ensure an ambulance is called.

Speed matters: Calling 999 ASAP ensures rapid medical support.

Delegation avoids delays in both treatment and emergency response.

Question 6

What is the proper name for slapped cheek syndrome and the typical symptoms?

Answer 6

Erythema infectiosum

Often presents with cold-like symptoms initially (fever, runny nose).

Followed by a bright red rash on the cheeks – the “slapped cheek” appearance.

Caused by Parvovirus B19.

Question 7

💊 What is Clonidine?

Answer 7

Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.

🔄 How it Works:

Reduces sympathetic outflow from the brain

Causes vasodilation and lowers heart rate

Leads to reduced blood pressure

🩺 Uses:

Hypertension (especially resistant hypertension)

ADHD (as a non-stimulant option)

Withdrawal symptoms (opioids, alcohol, nicotine)

Menopausal flushing

Migraine prophylaxis (off-label)

Question 8

What class of drugs does theophylline belong to?

Answer 8

Xanthines