Pharmacology

Question 1

Monoclonal Antibodies

Answer 1

infliximab (anti-TNF): used in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s

rituximab (anti-CD20): used in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis

cetuximab (epidermal growth factor receptor antagonist): used in metastatic colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer

trastuzumab (HER2/neu receptor antagonist): used in metastatic breast cancer

alemtuzumab (anti-CD52): used in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

abciximab (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist): prevention of ischaemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions

OKT3 (anti-CD3): used to prevent organ rejection

Question 2

Agranulocytosis

Answer 2

Antithyroid drugs - carbimazole, propylthiouracil

Antipsychotics - atypical antipsychotics (CLOZAPINE)

Antiepileptics- carbamazepine

Antibiotics - penicillin,chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole

Antidepressant - mirtazapine

Cytotoxic drugs - methotrexate

Question 3

Ocular Problems

Answer 3

Cataracts - steroids

Corneal opacities - amiodarone, indomethacin

Optic neuritis - ethambutol, amiodarone, metronidazole

Retinopathy - chloroquine, quinine

Sildenafil can cause both blue discolouration and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic neuropathy

Question 4

Lung Fibrosis

Answer 4

Causes: AACNE

amiodarone

anti-rheumatoid drugs:methotrexate,sulfasalazine

cytotoxic agents: busulphan,bleomycin, cyclophosphamide

nitrofurantion

ergot dervied dopamine recptor agonists - bromocriptine, cabergoline, pergolide.

Question 5

Urticaria

Answer 5

Aspirin is a common cause of urticaria

The following drugs commonly cause urticaria:

aspirin

penicillins

NSAIDs

opiates

Question 6

Zero-order kinetics

Answer 6

Zero-order kinetics refers to the rate of excretion being constant, regardless of changes in plasma concentration of the drug.

Drugs which exhibit zero-order kinetics include phenytoin, alcohol and salicylates

Question 7

Ethylene Glycol(antifreeze)

Answer 7

Ethylene glycol toxicity management - fomepizole. Also ethanol / haemodialysis

Question 8

Photosensitivity

Answer 8

Rash on forearm and face

Thiazides
Tetracyclines, sulphonamides, ciprofloxacin
Amiodarone
Nsaids
Psoralens
Sulphonylureas

Question 9

Drugs causing impaired glucose tolerance

Answer 9

thiazides, furosemide (less common)
steroids
tacrolimus, ciclosporin
interferon-alpha
nicotinic acid
antipsychotics