Pharmacology Flashcards
Drugs causing lung fibrosis?
- Amiodarone
- Anti-rheumatoid = Methotrexate, sulfasalazine
- Cytotoxic = busalphan, bleomycin
- Ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists = bromocriptine, cabergoline, pergolide
- Nitrofurantoin
Most common feature of CO poisoning?
Headache
Features of CO toxicity?
- Headache
- N&V
- Vertigo
- Confusion
- Subjective weakness
- Severe toxicity = pink skin and toxicity, hyperpyrexia, arrhythmias, extrapyramidal features, coma, death
Typical carboxyhaemoglobin level?
- <3% non-smokers
- <10% smokers
- 10-30% symptomatic = headache, vomiting
- > 30% severe toxicity
CO poisoning Rx?
- 100% high flow O2 via non-rebreather mask (min 6h, target SpO2 100%, Rx until all symptoms resolved)
- Hyperbaric oxygen (if LOC at any point, neurological signs, myocardial ischaemia/arrhythmia, pregnancy)
TB drugs?
Rifampicin
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol
Rifampicin mushkies?
- MOA = inhibits bacterial DNA dependent RNA polymerase, preventing transcription of DNA into mRNA
- Potent liver enzyme inducer
- Hepatitis, orange secretions
- Flu-like symptoms
Isoniazid mushkies?
- MOA = inhibits mycolic acid synthesis
- Peripheral neuropathy = prevent with pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
- Hepatitis, agranulocytosis
- Liver enzyme inducer
Pyrazinamide mushkies?
- MOA = converted by pyrazinamidase into pyrazinoic acid which in turn inhibits fatty acid synthase (FAS) I
- Hyperuricaemia causing gout
- Arthralgia, myalgia
- Hepatitis
Ethambutol mushkies?
- MOA = inhibits the enzyme arabinosyl transferase which polymerizes arabinose into arabinan
- Optic neuritis = check visual acuity before and during treatment
- Dose needs adjusting in patients with renal impairment
Metformin MOA?
- Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase
- Increases insulin sensitivity
- Decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis
- May reduce gastrointestinal absorption of carbohydrates
Metformin s/e?
- GI upset intolerable in 20% (nausea, anorexia, diarrhoea)
- Reduced Vitamin B12 absorption (rarely a clinical problem)
- Lactic acidosis with severe liver disease or renal failure
Metformin contraindications?
- CKD eGFR <30 or Cr > 150
- Lactic acidosis during period where there is tissue hypoxia
- Iodine-containing X-ray contrast media (discontinue metformin on day of procedure and 48h after)
- Alcohol abuse is a relative contraindication
Starting metformin mushkies?
- Titrated up slowly to reduce incidence of GI side effects
- If pts develop unacceptable s/e then modified-release metformin should be considered
Verapamil mushkies?
- Angina, hypertension, arrhythmias
- Highly negatively inotropic
- Should not be given with beta blocker as may cause heart block
- S/e = HF, constipation, hypotension, bradycardia, flushing
Diltiazem mushkies?
- Angina, hypertension
- Less negatively inotropic than verapamil but caution should still be exercised when patients have heart failure or are taking beta-blockers
- S/e = hypotension, bradycardia, HF, ankle swelling
Nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine mushkies
- Dihydropyridines
- Hypertension, angina, Raynaud’s
- Affects the peripheral vascular smooth muscle more than the myocardium and therefore do not result in worsening of HF but may therefore may cause ankle swelling
- Flushing, headache, ankle swelling
Amiodarone s/e?
- Thyroid (hyper and hypo)
- Lung fibrosis
- Liver fibrosis
- Corneal deposits
- Peripheral neuropathy/myopathy
- Photosensitivity
- Slate-grey appearance
- Thrombophlebitis and injection site reactions
- Bradycardia
- Lengthens QTi
Important amiodarone interactions?
- Decreased metabolism of warfarin, therefore increased INR
- Increased Digoxin levels
Statin monitoring?
LFTS at baseline, 3m, 12m
ACEi monitoring?
U&E prior to treatment, after increasing dose, annually
Amiodarone monitoring?
- TFT, LFT U&E, CXR prior
- TFT, LFT every 6m
Methotrexate monitoring?
FBC, U&E, LFTs = before starting, weekly until therapy established, then every 2-3 months
Azathioprine monitoring?
- FBC and LFT before
- FBC weekly for first 4w
- FBC, LFT every 3m
Lithium monitoring?
- U&E, TFT prior to treatment
- Lithium weekly until stabilised then every 3m
- TFT, U&E every 6m
Sodium valproate monitoring?
- FBC, LFT before treatment
- LFT ‘periodically’ during first 6m
Glitazone monitoring?
- LFT before
- LFT ‘regularly’ during treatment
PDE5 inhibitor MOA?
Cause vasodilation through an increase in cGMP leading to smooth muscle relaxation in blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum
PDE5 inhibitor examples?
- Sildafenil - Viagra = short acting, usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity
- Tadalafil = Cialis = Longer acting than sildafenil, may be taken on regular basis eg. OD
PDE5 inhibitor indications?
Erectile dysfunction and Pulmonary HTN
PDE5i contraindications?
- Nitrates and nicorandil
- Hypotension
- Recent stroke or MI (NICE recommend waiting 6m)
PDE5i s/e?
- Visual disturbances = blue discolouration, non-arteritic anterior ischaemic neuropathy
- Nasal congestion
- Flushing
- GI side effects
- Headache
- Priapism
What is HRT?
Involves the use of a small dose of oestrogen, combined with a progestogen (in women with a uterus), to help alleviate menopausal symptoms
HRT indications?
- Vasomotor symptoms e.g. flushing, insomnia, headaches = most important factor in choosing whether to start, other indications such as reversal of vaginal atrophy should be treated with other agents as first line therapies
- Premature menopause = should be continued until age of 50 years, most important reason in giving HRT to younger women is preventing the development of osteoporosis
HRT choice of hormone?
- Oestrogens = ‘natural’ oestrogens such as estradiol, estrone and conjugated oestrogen are generally used rather than synthetic oestrogens such as ethinylestradiol (which is used in the combined oral contraceptive pill)
- Progestogens = ‘synthetic’ progestogens such as medroxyprogesterone, norethisterone, levonorgestrel, and drospirenone are usually used. a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (e.g. Mirena) may be used as the progestogen component of HRT, i.e. a woman could take an oral oestrogen and have endometrial protection using a Mirena coil
- Tibolone = synthetic compound with both oestrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic activity
HRT route?
- Can be taken orally or transdermally (via a patch or gel)
- Transdermal is preferred if the woman is at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the rates of VTE do not appear to rise with transdermal preparations
Why do you need to give progesterone if still have a uterus?
Unopposed oestrogen can increase risk of endometrial cancer
Cyclical combined HRT indication?
If their LMP was less than 1 year ago
Continuous combines HRT indication?
- If taken cyclical combined for at least 1 year or
- It has been at least 1 year since their LMP or
- It has been at least 2 years since their LMP if they have had a premature menopause
Premature menopause age?
< 40 y/o
Vasomotor symptom control if unwilling to take HRT?
- SSRI
- SNRI
- Clonidine
- Gabapentin
Cytochrome P450 enzyme induces?
PC BRASSS
1. Phenytoin
2. Carbamazepine
3. Barbiturates
4. Rifampicin
5. Alcohol (chronic)
6. Sulfonylureas
7. St John’s Wort
8. Smoking
Cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibitors?
AO DEVICES GR
1. Allopurinol, antifungals, amiodarone
2. Omeprazole
3. Disulfiram
4. Erythromycin
5. Valproate
6. Isoniazid
7. Clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin
8. Ethanol (acute)
9. Sulphonamides, SSRIs
10. Grapefruit juice
11. Ritonavir
Yellow-green vision?
Digoxin
Gentamicin s/e?
- Ototoxocity = due to auditory or vestibular nerve damage
- Irreversible
Nephrotoxocity s/e?
- Accumulates in renal failure
- This toxicity is secondary to ATN
- Concomitant use of furosemide increases risk
- Lower doses and more frequent monitoring is required
Gentamicin C/I?
Myasthenia gravis (can cause clinically significant muscle weakness in myasthenia patients resulting in respiratory depression)
Gentamicin dosing?
- Peak (1 hour after administration) and trough levels (just before the next dose) are measured
- If the trough (pre-dose) level is high the interval between the doses should be increased
- If the peak (post-dose) level is high the dose should be decreased
What classically predisposed to digoxin toxicity?
Hypokalaemia
Digoxin MOA?
- Cardiac glycoside
- Mainly used for rate control in AF
- As has positive inotropic properties sometimes used for improving symptoms, but not mortality, in pts with HF
- Decreases conduction through AVN which slows the ventricular rate in AF and flutter
- Increases force of cardiac muscle contraction due to inhibition of the Na/K ATPase, also stimulates vagus nerve
- Has a narrow therapeutic index
Digoxin monitoring?
- Not monitored routinely, except in suspected toxicity
- If toxicity is suspected, digoxin concentrations should be measured within 8-12 hours of the last dose
Digoxin toxicity plasma concentration?
Plasma concentration alone does not determine whether a patient has developed digoxin toxicity. Toxicity may occur even when the concentration is within the therapeutic range. The BNF advises that the likelihood of toxicity increases progressively from 1.5 to 3 mcg/l.
Digoxin toxicity features?
- Generally unwell, lethargy, N&V, anorexia, confusion, yellow-green vision
- Arrhythmias (AV block, bradycardia)
- Gynaecomastia
Precipitating factor for digoxin toxicity?
- Hypokalaemia
- Age
- Renal failure
- MI
- Hypo = magnesium, albumin, thermia, thyroidism
- Hyper = calcium, sodium, acidosis
Digoxin toxicity management?
- Digibind
- Correct arrhythmias
- Monitor potassium
Finasteride indications?
- BPH
- Male-pattern baldness
Finasteride s/e?
- Impotence
- Decreased libido
- Ejaculation disorders
- Gynaecomastia and breast tenderness
Finasteride effect on PSA?
Lowers it
Abx contraindicated in pregnancy?
- Tetracyclines
- Aminoglycosides
- Sulphonamides and trimethoprim
- Quinolones
Drugs contraindicated in pregnancy?
- ACEi, ARB
- Statins
- Warfarin
- Sulfonylureas
- Retinoids (including topical)
- Cytotoxic agents
ACEi teratogen?
- Renal dysgenesis
- Craniofacial abnormalities
Alcohol teratogen?
Craniofacial abnormality
Aminoglycoside teratogen?
Ototoxicity
Carbamazepine teratogen?
- Neural tube defects
- Craniofacial abnormalities
Chloramphenicol teratogen?
‘Grey baby’ syndrome
Cocaine teratogen?
- IUGR
- Preterm labour
Diethylstilbesterol teratogen?
Vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma
Lithium teratogen?
Ebstein’s anomaly (atrialisation of the RV)
Maternal DM teratogen?
- Macrosomia
- NTDs
- Polyhydramnios
- Preterm labour
- Caudal regression syndrome
Smoking teratogen?
- IUGR
- Preterm labour