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Royal College 2023 > Pharmacology > Flashcards

Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of anticholinergic burden?

A

The cumulative effect of medications that have anticholinergic properties

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2
Q

What pharmacokinetic changes occur with aging?

A

Absorption - slowed gastric emptying, inc gastric pH, dec small bowel surface area
Distribution - body fat increases (longer half life lipophilic), total body water decreases (inc plasma conc of hydrophilic)
Metabolism - hepatic first pass metabolism decreased
Elimination - renal decreased

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3
Q

How do pharmacokinetic changes affect morphine in an older patients?

A

Absorption - no change
Distribution - morphine is hydrophilic, higher conc
Metabolism - dec first pass metabolism
Elimination - renal decreased

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4
Q

What are the mechanisms of action of donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine?

A

Donepezil - reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase
Rivastigmine - reversibly (pseudo) inhibits both acetylcholinestase and butylcholinesterase
Galantamine - reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase, binds to presynaptic Ach nicotinic receptor and inc AcH release

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5
Q

List 6 evidence based benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors

A
  1. Improved cognition (MMSE, ADAS-Cog)
  2. Improved behaviours (NPI, SIB)
  3. Improved function
  4. Improved global clinical state
  5. No evidence for QOL
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6
Q

What are 2 pharmacokinetic differences between intrajejunal levodopa gel and oral?

A

Intrajejunal bypasses impact of gastric emptying which can affect rate of absorption of oral = variable blood concentration
IJ more stable concentration, oral has short half life and more rapid wearing off

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7
Q

What is the main motor symptom that IJ Sinemet helps with?

A

Off symptoms (motor fluctuations)

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8
Q

What antidepressant would you not prescribe in a patient with hx of seizures?

A

Bupropion - lowers seizure threshold

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9
Q

What 6 categories of interventions to improve medication adherence?

A
  1. Clinical pharmacist consultation
  2. Patient education
  3. Incentives to promote
  4. CBT
  5. Medication regimen management
  6. Medication taking reminders
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10
Q

What are absolute contraindications to cholinesterase inhibitors?

A
  1. Hypersensitivity (drug monograph)
    Off drug monograph
  2. High grade cardiac condition block (second or third degree in unpaced, except RBBB)
  3. Bradycardia <50 bpm
  4. QT prolongation
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11
Q

What are precautions when using cholinesterase inhibitors?

A
  1. Not recommended if cardiac conduction abnormalities
  2. PUD, NSAID, high dose ASA - monitor
  3. Bladder outflow obstruction
  4. COPD/asthma
  5. May lower seizure threshold
  6. Rare rhabdo
  7. Rare NMS
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12
Q

What are 2 drug categories associated with C diff infections?

A
  1. PPIs
  2. Systemic antibiotics
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13
Q

Why should someone on DOAC not take clarithromycin?

A

Clarithromycin (also ketoconazole and itroconazole) is a CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitor
Apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran are P-gp substrates
Clarithromycin therefore decreases clearance of DOACs leading to inc levels and bleeding

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14
Q

What is the drug interaction between paroxetine and tramadol?

A

Paroxetine = CYP2D6 inhibitor
Tramadol = substrate of CYP2D6
This leads to inc tramadol = serotonin reuptake inhibition
In combination with SSRI leads to serotonin syndrome

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15
Q

Compare cholinesterase inhibitors with regards to their distribution

A

Donepezil - 96% plasma protein bound (esp albumin)
Rivastigmine - 40% plasma protein bound
Galantamine - 18% plasma protein bound

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16
Q

Compare cholinesterase inhibitors with regards to their metabolism

A

Donepezil - slow extensive liver metabolism by CYP3A4/2D6, glucoronidation. Half life 58-90 hrs.
Rivastigmine - extensive rapid first pass metabolism, doesn’t use P450
Galantamine - metabolized by liver, using CYP3A4/2D6, glucuronidaiton

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17
Q

What medications can cause B12 deficiency?

A
  1. PPI
  2. H2 blockers
  3. Metformin
  4. Colchicine
  5. Phenytoin
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18
Q

What pharmacokinetic reason can cause phenytoin toxicity?

A

Phenytoin is 90% bound to plasma proteins (albumin) and in unbound form is active
If you have malnutrition = low albumin = inc unbound phenytoin = phenytoin toxicity

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19
Q

What are 4 adverse outcomes of benzodiazepines use in the elderly?

A
  1. Memory impairment
  2. Inc risk falls/fractures
  3. Inc mortality risk
  4. Psychomotor retardation
  5. Inc accidents
  6. Respiratory issues in COPD
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20
Q

What is the mechanism of action of trazodone?

A

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor

21
Q

What are 3 adverse effects of trazodone that can increase risk of falls?

A

Dizziness, drowisness, blurred vision
1. Sedation
2. Confusion
3. Blurred vision
4. Dizziness
5. HOTN

22
Q

Comparing trazodone to atypical antipsychotics what are the risks for falls, OP fracture, hip fracture and 90 day mortality?

A

Falls = similar
OP fracture = similar
Hip fracture = similar
90 day all cause mortality = lower

23
Q

What are 5 common adverse effects of donepezil?

A
  1. N/V/D
  2. Poor appetite/weight loss
  3. Vivid dreams/nightmares
  4. Bradycardia/syncope
  5. Worsening urinary frequency
24
Q

What are two potential drug interactions with donepezil?

A
  1. Negated with use of anticholinergic drugs
  2. Inc levels with erythromycin, ketoconazole, paroxetine
  3. Dec levels with carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenytoin
25
How does warfarin interact with the following drugs: ginseng, amiodarone, allopurinol, phenytoin, carbamazepine, trazodone, sulphonamide, citalopram
Increase effect = inc INR = inc bleeding risk 1. Amiodarone 2. Sulphonamide 3. Allopurinol Decrease effect 1. Ginseng 2. Carbamazepine 3. Trazodone Unpredictable 1. Phenytoin Inc risk bleeding but not necessarily due to INR 1. Citalopram
26
What are donepezil cyt P450 enzymes?
CYP3A4 CYP2D6
27
What are 3 drugs that are inducers and 3 inhibitors of the cytochromes that metabolize donepezil?
Inducers CYP3A4 - carbamazepine, phenytoin CYP2D6 - dexamethasone Inhibitors CYP3A4 - ketoconazole, erythromycin,diltiazem, amiodarone??? CYP2D6 - bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine
28
What is a target Li concentration in older adults?
0.4-0.8 mmol/L 8-12 hours post dose
29
Why are elderly more prone to lithium toxicity?
Lower GFR Reduced volume of distribution (lower body water) Dehydration
30
What two drug classes worsen the renal toxicity of lithium?
Medications the impair renal filtration 1. ACEi 2. Thiazide diuretics
31
What are 6 neurologic effects of acute lithium toxicity?
1. Seizure 2. Encephalopathy 3. Tremor 4. Fasciculations 5. Myoclonic jerks 6. Confusion 7. Ataxia
32
What are 4 categories of pharmacokinetic changes with aging that are associated with processing pain meds and how it affects drug handling?
Absorption - not affected Distribution - Hydrophilic = reduced distribution = inc serum concentration Albumin bound = more unbound active Elimination - inc conc with renal impairment
33
What is the mechanism of action behind 4 side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
1. Bradycardia - Ach binds to M2 muscarinic R = dec HR 2. Nausea/weight loss = Ach receptor in chemoreceptor trigger zone = vomiting 3. Bronchospasm = Ach constricts smooth muscle 4. Urinary frequency = Ach stimulates contraction of bladder wall
34
What are 4 possible reasons that the flu vaccine is ineffective?
1. Different strain of flu 2. Getting flu before immunity 3. Decreased sensitivity to vaccinations overall with aging 4. Coexisting lung disease 4. Other illness causing flu like symptoms 5. Antibody titers wane faster in OA
35
What are 4 potential significant benefits of flu vaccine?
1. Less influenza like illness 2. Prevent hospitalization in older adults 3. Decreased mortality 4. Decreased LOS
36
What effect does flu vaccine in HCW in nursing homes have?
Little or no effect on lab proven influenza No change to number of admission to hospital for respiratory illness
37
What is the efficacy of live attenuated VZV vaccination in patients over 70?
Live attenuated = Zostavax which is 61% efficacious Shingrix - 96.6-97.9% for all age groups Efficacy similar throughout age groups
38
What are three common trazodone side effects?
1. Drowsiness 2. Dizziness 3. Headache 4. Nervous/anxiety 5. Dry mouth
39
Name 5 side effects of dopaminergic agents
* Excessive daytime sleepiness * Orthostatic HOTN * Hallucinations * Impulse control disorder * Dyskinesia * Ankle edema * N/V
40
What are 3 side effects of gabapentin?
1. Dizziness 2. Drowsiness 3. Ataxia 3. Fatigue
41
What are 4 messages to use regarding not using sedatives for sleep?
1. Not better quality of sleep 2. Not feeling more refreshed 3. Increased daytime somnolence 4. Risk of falls, fractures, cognitive decline
42
List 6 drugs that interact with antiretrovirals and what is the interaction
Ritonavir, Indinavir, Saquinovir --> substrate and inhibitor of CYP3A4 Clindamycin - inc conc ARVs Diltiazem - inc conc ARVs Carbamazepine - dec conc ARVs Rifampin - dec conc ARVs Phenytoin - dec conc SRVs Atorvastatin - inc conc statin
43
What is a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between glyburide and Septra?
PK Septra is a CYP2C9 inhibitor Glyburide is metabolized by CYP2C9 Therefore less glyburide metabolized = inc insulin secretion = hypoglycemia PD Septra can independently increase insulin by stimulating pancreatic beta cells = hypoglycemia
44
What are some drug interactions with warfarin?
Quinolones = may enhance anticoagulant effect Amiodarone = inc warfarin effect Plavix = inc bleeding risk
45
What are the components of the hAS-BLED score?
HTN (SBP>160) Abnormal liver or renal function - Cr 200+ or dialysis, AST/ALT >3x ULN Stroke Bleeding Labile INR Elderly >65 Drugs (associated with risk of bleeding) or Alcohol
46
What are four potential AEs of topical beta blockers?
Bradycardia/heart block Worsen CHF Mask hypoglycemia symptoms Depression Bronchospasm
47
What is the mechanism of action of memantine?
NMDA receptor antagonist Prevents glutamatergic over stimulation and resulting neurotoxicity Therefore has neuroprotective effects
48
What are the benefits of the rivastigmine patch?
Similar efficacy with oral Improved tolerability - less GI symptoms Caregivers preferred patch over pill Easy of use

Royal College 2023 (79 decks)

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