pharm Flashcards
PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil) are contraindicated by which 2 medications
Nitrates and nicorandil
PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil) are used in treatment of erectile dysfunction and…
pulmonary hypertension
3 contraindications to PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil - Viagra)
- Meds - nitrates or nicorandil
- Hypotension
- MI/stroke in last 6 months
Viagra (sildenafil) causes what side effects
Visual disturbances
- blue discolouration ‘the blue pill’
- Anterior ischaemic neuropathy
Nasal congestion
Flushing
GI side effects
Priapism
Headache
What drug causes blue vision
Viagra (sildenafil)
What drug causes green/yellow vision in toxicity
Digoxin
Digoxin level is only monitored in suspected toxicity. When should they be measured?
Within 8-12 hours of last dose
Digoxin mechanism of action - 3 main points (conduction, muscle contraction, nerves)
- Decreases AV node conduction to slow ventricular rate (in AF and flutter)
- Increases cardiac muscle contraction due to inhibition of Na/K ATPase pump
- Stimulates vagus nerve
Features of digoxin toxicity
Nausea + vomiting
Confusion
Yellow-green vision
Gynaecomastia
Arrhythmias
What is an endocrine change with digoxin toxicity
Gynaecomastia
+ anorexi
What is an electrolyte disturbance that triggers digoxin toxicity
Hypokalaemia
Leads to more binding of digoxin to ATPase pump and increases the effects
Management of digoxin toxicity - 3 steps
- Digibind
- Correct arrhythmias
- Monitor potassium
What is the most common side effect of finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitor)
Gynaecomastia
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
What is its mechanism of action
Reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
DHT is more potent so inhibiting it helps to reduce prostate size
2 indications of finasteride
- BPH
- Male pattern baldness
Finasteride effects on PSA level
Reduces serum PSA
When and what bloods should be monitored for ACE inhibitors
U+E before starting or increasing dose
U+E at least annually
When and what bloods should be monitored for amiodarone
TFTs, LFTs, U+Es, CXR before starting
TFTs, LFTs every 6 months
When and what bloods should be monitored for methotrexate
FBC, LFTs, U+Es before starting
Repeat weekly until stable
Then every 2-3 months
When and what bloods should be monitored for azathioprine
FBC, LFT before starting
FBC weekly for first 4 weeks
FBC, LFTs every 3 months
When and what bloods should be monitored for lithium
TFTs, U+Es before starting
TFTs, U+Es every 6 months
Lithium levels weekly until stable
Then every 3 months
When and what bloods should be monitored for sodium valproate
LFTs, FBC before starting
LFTs periodically during first 6 months
When and what bloods should be monitored for glitazones
LFTs before starting
LFTs regularly during treatment
what anticoagulant is okay for use in CKD4
warfarin
for iodine-containing x-ray contrast media e.g. angiography, when should metformin be held to avoid contrast renal impairment
hold metformin on day of procedure and for 48 hours afterwards
mechanism of action of metformin
- activates AMPK
- increases insulin sensitivity
- decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis
when should ciclosporin levels be taken
trough levels
IMMEDIATELY BEFORE dose
lithium levels when should they be monitored
12 hours post-dose
phenytoin levels - trough when should dose be checked
IMMEDIATELY BEFORE dose
(if adjusting dose, or suspected toxicity)
Lithium toxicity may be triggered by what 3 things
- Dehydration
- Renal failure
- Drugs - diuretics, ACEi/ARBs, NSAIDs and metronidazole
Lithium toxicity signs
Coarse tremor
Hyperreflexia
Confusion
Seziures
++ urine
Management of lithium toxicity
- Fluids
- Haemodialysis in severe toxicity
- Sodium bicarb sometimes to promote lithium excretion
What is the most appropriate dose of adrenaline to give during a cardiac arrest?
10ml (1mg) 1:10000 IV
or 1ml 1:1000 IV
which diabetic medication can sometimes lead to low B12
metformin
Emergency management of opioid overdose
IV or IM naloxone
First line treatments in opioid detoxification
Methadone
Buprenorphine
compliance for opioid detox medication (e.g. methadone or buprenorphine) is monitored using..
urinalysis
how long does opioid detox usually last up to in:
(a) inpatient setting
(b) community
(a) inpatient setting - 4 weeks
(b) community - 12 weeks
methadone mechanism of action
mu-opioid receptor agonist
buprenorphine mechanism of action
mu-opioid receptor partial agonist
kappa-opioid antagonist
Carbon monoxide toxicity leads to which skin/mucosa changes
Pink skin and mucosa
Typical carboxyhaemoglobin % levels in:
(a) non-smokers
(b) smokers
(c) symptomatic
(d) severe toxicity
(a) non-smokers <3%
(b) smokers <10%
(c) symptomatic 10-30%
(d) severe toxicity >30%
Management of carbon monoxide poisoning
100% high flow O2 non-rebreather
Continue Rx for 6 hours minimum
Target sats 100%
Continue treatment until all symptoms resolved
St john’s wort effect on P450 system
P450 inducer
Reduces effect of COCP and warfarin etc
On average, what percentage of patients will eventually take antibiotics if delayed Abx strategy is employed?
33%
MDMA poisoning leads to what electrolyte disturbance
HYPOnatraemia
Management of MDMA poisoning
Supportive
Dantrolene for hyperthermia
NICE recommend that the dose of metformin should be reviewed and stopped if levels are above:
(a) creatinine
(b) eGFR
(a) Cr >130 - review, >150 - stop
(b) eGFR <45 - review, <30 - stop
Metformin should be titrated slowly, how long should be left between dose changes
Leave at least 1 week before increasing dose
4 drug groups that commonly cause urticaria
Aspirin
Penicillin
NSAIDs
Opiates
What drugs can lead to lithium toxicity
diuretics
ACEi/ARBs
NSAIDs
metronidazole
therefore HTN patients should be on CCB if possible
what antibiotics interact with statins
MACROLIDES
i.e. erythro/clari
Alcoholic patients should receive what supplementation
THIAMINE ONLY
Drugs used for management of alcohol misuse for detox
- Benzodiazepines for acute withdrawal
- Disulfram: promotes abstinence, causes reaction. Contraindicated in IHD and psychosis
- Acamprosat: reduces craving, weak antagonist of NMDA receptors
If woman is >55 or no periods for >1 year then which HRT is chosen:
continuous or cyclical
continuous