Pharm 2 Exam 3 Flashcards
Causes of Hypokalemia
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, HCTZ)
- Insufficient dietary intake
- Alkalosis and excessive insulin
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and laxative abuse
Potassium Chloride
Potassium supplement
Notable problems with potassium supplements
- Very irritating to GI tract (must take with food or a full glass of water)
- Very irritating to veins (must dilute)
- IV potassium must be infused with a pump (never ever ever pushed by hand (lethal injection))
- Watch for hyperkalemia (bradycardia, EKG changes- prolonged PRT interval)
Potassium supplement high yield concepts
- Serum potassium should be 3.5 to 5 mEq/L
- If your client’s potassium is low or high, put them on a cardiac monitor
- Never push IV potassium by hand
- Hyperkalemia can be treated with insulin, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Major symptoms of overactive bladder
- Urgency (sudden urge to go)
- Frequency (8+ times/day)
- Nocturia (2+ times/night)
- Urge incontinence (didn’t make it)
Treatment for overactive bladder
- Behavior therapy: Planning times to void, what you drink, limiting caffeine use, and kegel exercises
- Medications
oxybutynin
Bladder medication
oxybutynin mechanism of action
Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic medication that selectively blocks M3 receptors in the bladder, decreasing contractions and the urge to void
Oxybutynin notable problems
- Tachycardia
- Anticholinergic effects
- Contraindicated in clients who have glaucoma and myasthenia gravis
Common uses for oral contraceptives
- Acne (girls who also what a contraceptive)
- Contraception
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Menopausal hormone therapy
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone
Combination (progestin and estrogen) oral contraceptive
Norethindrone
Progestin-only oral contraceptive
oral contraception mechanism of action
Estrogen suppresses the release of follicle stimulating hormone. Progestin suppresses the release of luteinizing hormone. This prevents ovulation, thins the lining of the uterus, and thickens cervical mucus
Combination oral contraception administration
- 3 weeks active drug; 1 week inactive tablets
Problem with oral contraceptives
- Thromboembolic events
- Breast cancer
- Drug interactions
Thromboembolic events from oral contraceptives
- DVT, PE, MI, thrombotic stroke (progestin only would be better)
- Risk factors: heavy smoking, history of thromboembolism, thrombophilias, older than 35 years and a smoker
- lower doses today = lower risk
Breast cancer from oral contraceptives
- Do not increase risk of breast cancer
- Can increase the rate of growth
Drug interactions from oral contraceptives
- St. John’s wort
- Antiseizure medication (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
- Antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins, rifampin)
Novel delivery systems for contraception
- Transdermal patch (once a week for 3 weeks, no patch the 4th week)
- Vaginal contraceptive ring (wear for 3 weeks, no ring the 4th week, rinse with warm water and put back in if it falls out)
Medication options for Benign Prostate Hypertrophy
- Alpha-1 blockers
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
- Saw palmetto (not effective)
Tamsulosin
Alpha-1 blocker (BPH)
Doxazosin
Alpha-1 blocker (BPH)
Alpha-1 blockers mechanism of action
Alpha-1 blockers relax smooth muscle in the neck of the bladder, allowing urine to flow more freely through the urethra. Alpha-1 blockers also block receptors in the vasculature, decreasing blood pressure
Notable problems with Alpha-1 blockers
- Nonselective agents: hypotension, dizziness, nasal congestion, sleepiness
- Selective agents: abnormal ejaculation
Finasteride
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (BPH)
Dutasteride
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (BPH)
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (BPH) mechanism of action
Block the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT - a more potent version of testosterone. Since DHT is what triggers the prostate to grow, this helps halt the growth of the prostate and even shrinks it. Since DHT also plays a role in male-pattern baldness, these drugs also help regrow hair
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (BPH) notable problems
-Pregnancy Category X!
- Pregnant women must not handle broken or
crushed tablets
- Men must not donate blood
- Decreased libido, abnormal ejaculation
- Falsely decreases PSA levels
- Gynecomastia
High yield for BPH medications
- Alpha-1 blockers treat BPH but can also treat hypertension
- 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors are extremely teratogenic (wear gloves if handling
- 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors can treat BPH and male pattern baldness
Common causes of ED
- Vascular
- Neurologic
- Hormonal
- Drug-induced
- Psychogenic
Slidenafil
PDE5 (ED med)
Tadalafil
PDE5 (ED med) (36 hours)
Vardenafil
PDE5 (ED med)
Notable problems with ED meds
- Hypotension
- Priapism
- Sudden hearing loss
-PDE5 inhibitors and nitrates increase cGMP levels. IF these drugs are combined, life-threatening hypotension can occur. Wait at least 24 hours
ED meds high yield
- PDE5 inhibitors do not cause erections
- Take about 1 hour before activity
- Do not combine PDE5 inhibitors and nitrates
- Be very cautious about combining PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers
Preterm labor
- Defined as birth before 37 weeks
- Leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity (75% of neonatal deaths)