pharm cases Flashcards
Case 1: 32 y/o woman in urgent care with viral gastroenteritis of two days associated with diarrhea. Lo estrin FE 1/20. mild discomfort to palpation without organomegally. Folic acid. Multivitamin. Na 136mEq/L (135-145); K 4mEq/L (3.3-4.9) ; BUN 15mg/dL (8-25).
3 DOC you could use in her?
- loperamide
- kaolin-pectin
- dietary fiber
Case 2: 75 y/o who has had a partial gastrectomy for gastric cancer. his chronic diarreah is not relieved by fiber or loperamide therapy. AMI. COPD. CKD stage 3. Hyperlipidemia. Allergies ASA. Metoprolol succinate 50 mg, albuterol MDI PRN, atorvastatin 40 mg. bowel sounds active. no palpable organs. discomfort to deep palpation. eGFR 32 ml/min; BUN 20 mg/dL (8-25); Na 132 mEq/L (135-145); K 4 mEq/L (3.3-4.9)
DOC? watch for?
DOC: octreotide
since on BB watch for hypotension since there is Dx-Dx interaction
monitor her for gallstones because this is a SE of this medication!
what is the drug class for loperamide?
anti-diarreals
OTC opoid
what is the MOA of loperamide?
inhibition of presynaptic cholingergic nerves in colonic submucosal and mysenteric plexsus and slows transit time
what is the drug class for koalin-pectin?
anti-diarrheals
non-opoid
what is the MOA of koalin pectin?
a clay (koalin) that is a plant polysacchride (pectin) that absorbs fluids and bacterial toxins
what is the drug class for dietary fiber?
anti-diarrheal laxative
what is the MOA of dietary fiber?
absorbs and binds fluids, provides stool bulk
what is the drug class for octreotide?
anti-diarreal
synthetic somatostatin analogue
what are 3 SE you need to monitor really carefully in a patient taking octreotide for diarreah?
- gallstones with longterm use–occur in 50% if people
- hypoglycemia if diabetic!!
- bradycardia if taking BB or CCB!!
what is a drug drug interaction with octreotide?
BB and CCB
insulin
what does octreotide cause?
delayed gastric entry
case 3: 30 y/o with ulcerative colitis txed with mesalamine or 5-ASA. she is fatigued and you discover a macrocytic anemia. Loestrin 1.5/30. mesalamine 1 gm Q6. non palpable organs, no pain. BS active. No neuropathy. H&H 10.5/32.
what two labs do you want to check?
Tests: order B12/folate levels!! suspect anemia here
Mesalamine can inhibit folate absorption so want to check and see if her folate or B12 levels are down, need to check one becasue they can mask each other!!
B12 deficient anemia has….
neurological sxs
what is the drug class of mesalamine?
5ASA antiinflammatory
what is the MOA of mesalamine?
local colon anti-inflammatory action and systemic prostaglandin inhibittion
what is a SE of mesalamine used for anti-inflamatory?
can inhibit folate absoprtion…..so consider supplementation if levels low!
when should you bring someone back when treating macrocytic anemia with both B12 or folate?
3-4 weeks should start to see results!!
Case 4: 35 y/o has chrohns disease that was initially controlled with sulfasalazine, however she was recently referred to a gastroenterologist because she needed more steroids to control her sxs. she comes to see you after being started on azathioprine. Crohns. Depoprovera 150 mg Q3 months, sulfasalazine 1 gm BID, azathioprine 100 mg daily. folic acid 1 mg daily. what should she be watching for?
azathioprine is a IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT so needs to watch out for increased risk of infections
what is the drug class of azathiopurine?
purine analogue immunosuppressant
what is the MOA of azathiopprine?
inhibits synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins
what are the 3 SE you need to keep in mind when prescribing azathioprine?
- pancreatitis (statorreah)
- hepatotoxiticiy (jaundice)
- bone marrow toxicitiy
how long does it take to get the full effect of azathiorine?
3-6 months
Case 5: 85 y/o man who is bedbound and has constapation that hasn’t responded to increased fluids, fiber, or dietary modifications. he hasn’t had a BM in 4 days and his last BM was dry hard and small. Dementia. HTN. COPD. Constapation. Amlodipine 5 mg, atrovent MDI PRN. BUN 30mg/dL (8-25); eGFR 25 mL/min; Na 138mEq/L (135-145); K 4.5 mEq/L (3.3-4.9).
Acute tx?
Chronic Tx?
acute: PEG 3350
Chronic: senokot and docusate Na
DO RECTAL EXAM TO MAKE SURE NOT IMPACTED!!!
keep in mind the reason fiber didn’t work well for him was because you have to have a lot of fluids and in elderly it is hard to get them to take the adequate amouth?*
why might a small dose of fiber not work well for an elderly person for constapation?
Fiber is difficult for an elderly person because they often do not drink enough. Cannot rely on him to drink enough.
what drug would you typically use for acute constipation since it is for short term use?
PEG 3350
what is the drug class for PEG 3350?
osmotic laxitive
what is the MOA of PEG3350?
causes water retention in stool and increased stool frequency
what is the drug class for senokot?
laxative stimulant
what is the MOA of senokot?
stimulate enterocytes, neuros, and GI smooth muscle causing low grade inflamation and intestinal motility
what is the drug class for docusate Na?
stool softener
what two drugs might you combine for chronic tx of eldery constapation?
docusate Na and senokot
Case 6: 55 y/o who presents with coffee ground emesis x 1 day. Cirrhosis hx and pt has had prior episode of UGI bleed secondary to esophageal caricies and portal HTN. Alcohol abuse, cirrhosis, portal HTN, COPD, tobacco abuse, HTN. Albuterol MDI, Lisinopril. liver edge palpable, hard. H&H 12/35; BUN 20mg/dL (8-25); K 4.6 mEq/L (3.3-4.9); Na 143mEq/L (135-145)
2 DOC?
ADMIT THIS PATIENT!! ESOPHAGEAL VARICES!!!
DOC1: octreotide–constricts the splanchnic arterioles
DOC2: ondansetron
since this pt is already vomiting, osctreotide will stop the bleeding but has the SE Of nausea…so give onsansetron (zofran) to help with the nausea
what is the drug class for ondansetron?
serotonin antagonists
what is the MOA of ondansetron?
periphreal and CRTZ 5-HT3 receptor blockade
what is the typically indication for ondansetron?
only for post op, radiation, and chemotherapy induced N/V
what is the MOA of octreotide?
splanchnic arteriole constriction
synthetic analog of somatostatin
Case 7: 25 y/o dxed with chronic hep C, genotype 1. His specialist has recommended a tx but he is hesitant to accept his advice and seeks your advice. specialist recommended a standard regimen of an injectable and two oral medications. Heroine abuse, chronic hep C. anti-HCV antibodies pos with genotype 1. He wants to know goals of tx and if there are any other alternative txs that are easier to take with few SE.
what is 3 drug regimen?
what is an alternative?
THREE DRUGS:
- PEG interferon
- RIBAVIRIN
- SOFOSBUVIR
NEW DRUG:
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir=harvoni
Although ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (harvoni) is more effective at treating hep C geneotype 1…what is the downside?
super expensive and unrealistic for many!!
~40,000 for 90 tabs!!!
what is the drug class for ledipasvir/sofosbuvir?
direct acting antiviral RNA polymerase inhibitor
what is the MOA of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir?
inhibits the HCV protein needed for repliation aka RNA polymerase
what is the percent efficacy at ERRIDICATION of Hep C when using ledipasvir/sofosbuvir?
94% but the down side is it is super expensive!
Case 8: 75 y/o with PMH of liver failure who is admitted for abrupt change in cognition. Hx of chronic hepatitis where se refused care after failing tx on interferon/ribavirin. She was found on the floor semiconcious. liver failure, HTN, DMT2, CKD4, anemia of chronic dxs, easy bruising, chronic hepatitis. lisinopril 40 mg, glargine insulin 30 units daily, metforming 500 mg BID. she has portal-systemic encepalopathy.
2 DOC for portal system encephalopathy?
CHRONIC LIVER FAILURE causes the build up of toxins like ammonia in the blood
DOC1: LACTULOSE,
when digested by the bacterial in the gut, it produces acid which takes the ammonia NH# and converts it to NH4 , which cant cross gut wall and also ENHANCES DIFFUSION OF NH3 from serum into gut!!
DOC2 if first not working: RIFAXIMIN abx
this kills off the bacterial because these help in the conversion of ammonia
what are the two DOC for portal encephalopathy?
DOC1: lactulose
DOC2: rifaximin
what is the drug class for lactulose?
osmotic laxative
what is the MOA of lactulose? 3
- synthetic dissachride laxative
- bacterial digestion of lactulose produces acid pH converting NH3 to NH4, which can’t cross the gut wall (inactives ammonia and precents it from being absorbed)
- enhances diffusion of NH3 from serum into gut lumen
what is the MOA for rifaximin?
inhibits bacterial RNA-synthesis by binding to bacterial RNA polymerase
what is the is the drug class for rifaximin?
misc abx
Case 9: 65 y/o with chronic pancreatitis who has noted an increase in steatorrhea over the past month. alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis, tobacco use, COPD, HTN, CKD stage 3. albuterol MDI, lisinopril 20 mg, pancrlipase 35,00 units per meal.
3 DOC options?
pancreatitis means that he isn’t produce enough pancreatic enzymes to break down the fats, so you must supplement
DOC1: increase dose of pacrelipase (increase supllemental enzymes)
DOC2: switch to the enteric coated version of this drug that are microspheres called creon
DOC3: add a PPI to decrease the aciditiy so these capsules can make it down to the duodenum where they do their work
what is the drug class for pancrelipase?
pancreatic enzyme
what is the MOA of pancrelipase?
supplemental enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease)
how can pancrelipase be taken?
sprinkle microspheres capsule on soft, low pH, no chew foods
what can interfere with pancrelipase?
dairy products because of the high pH
what are pancrelipase derived from? why important?
derived from pork, so don’t use in someone with a pork sensitivity
if someone has statorhhea, what does that suggest?
they don’t have enough pancreatic enzymes because this is what breaks down fat!!
what should you do if you are nontherapeutic on a pancreatic enzyme supplement? pancrelipase
INCREASE THE DOSE!!!!
what should the max fat intake be for someone with pancreaititis or taking pancrelipase?
20 g!
how should you initiate a pancrelipase?
start with a non-enteric coated option and then switch to an enteric coated option if that doesn’t work