Pharm 3 Flashcards
What’s the first line of treatment in RA?
methotrexate
How does methotrexate work?
inhibits dihydrofolate reductase leading to decreased folic acid supplies
Methotrexate MOA
decreases cell proliferation; increases apoptosis of T cells; increases adenosine release; alters expression of CAM; inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokies
SE of methotrexate
mucosal ulcers, stomatitis, nausea, diarrhea, alopecia, anemia
When is methotrexate contraindicated?
pregnancy
Dose for leflunomide?
10-20 mg qd after LD of 100 mg for 3 days
LD or leflunomide is associated with?
severe diarrhea and may be skipped
Leflunomide mechanism
inhibits mitochondrial dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) ultimately resulting in decreased DNA and RNA in rapidly dividing cells
Leflunomide is approved for?
RA
SE of Leflunomide?
diarrhea, alopecia, elevated liver enzymes, weight gain, increased BP
Sulfasalazine dose
maintenance dose 1 gram bid-tid
SE of Sulfasalazine
N/V, HA, rash, rarely anemia and methemoglobinemia and neutropenia; reversible infertility in men but not women
Is Sulfasalazine ok in pregnancy?
yes
Hydroxychloroquine dosing
200 mg bid
What type of drug is Hydroxychloroquine
anti-malarial
How long is it to see an effect on Hydroxychloroquine
3-6 months
Does Hydroxychloroquine impact bone changes in RA?
no
SE of Hydroxychloroquine
retinal damage if doses exceed 6 mg/kg/day, GI issues, rash, nightmares
Is Hydroxychloroquine safe in pregnancy?
Yes
Hydroxychloroquine and diabetes?
may improve glucose profiles in diabetic patients and lower A1c
Hydroxychloroquine and cardiac risk?
LDL, HDL, TG improvement
Ultimately how does Hydroxychloroquine help RA?
helps symptomatically, but not with bone changes
Tofacitinib dose
5 mg bid
What type of drug is Tofacitinib
Janus Kinase Inhibitor–suppresses immune response
When is Tofacitinib used?
in combo with MTX or alone in moderate to severe disease where MTX failed or cannot be used
When does Tofacitinib dose need to be decreased to 5 mg qd?
if patient is on a CYP3A4 or CYP2C9 inhibitors or has moderate to severe renal or liver impairment
Does Tofacitinib decrease joint damage?
no
Avoid Tofacitinib in conjunction with?
immunosuppressants and live vaccines
Tofacitinib SE?
HA, diarrhea, URI, rarely GI perforation
Examples of anti-TNF agents
etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab
Examples of non-TNF agents
abatacept, rituximab, tocilizumab
SE of TNF-alpha inhibitors
injection site reaction, infection, new onset psoriasis, increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma
Contraindications for TNF-alpha inhibitors
presence of serious or recurrent infections
TNF-alpha inhibitors should be avoided in?
patients with class III or higher HF and EF less than 50% as well as patients with demyelinating diseases
What happens if a patient needs TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy?
meds must be held for duration of treatment
What should patients be tested for prior to starting a TNF-alpha inhibitor?
TB
Types of non-TNF agents
B cell depleters, t cell co-stimulation inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors