Pharmacology of Arthritis Flashcards
Dr S Silburn
name the medications used in arthritis
Analgesics e.g. paracetamol, opiates
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Biologics
Gout therapy
Corticosteroids
Special circumstances
what medication is under step 1 in pain control of arthritis?
non-opioid - aspirin, paracetamol or NSAID
what medication is under step 2 in pain control of arthritis?
weak opioid - codeine
what medication is under step 3 in pain control of arthritis?
strong opioid - morphine
give some examples of NSAIDs
Ibuprofen Naproxen Diclofenac Indometacin Etodolac Celecoxib (Cox 2 inhibitor)
what are the indications you should prescribe a NSAID?
inflammatory arthritis
MSK pain
pleuritic/pericardial pain
what are the adverse effects in the use of NSAIDs?
Dyspepsia Oesophagitis Gastritis Peptic Ulcer Small/large bowel ulceration
Renal impairment Increased cardiovascular events (Cox 2 inhibitors + others) Fluid retention Wheeze Rash
what is DMARDs short for?
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
DMARDs are ____ acting
slow acting - weeks to months
DMARDs are pure anti-inflammatories with no direct analgesic effect
true or false?
true
DMARDs require _______ _________ for adverse effects
regular monitoring
what are the 2 DMARDs of choice in RA?
MTX and sulfasalazine
what are the commonly used DMARDs? (4)
Methotrexate
Sulphasalazine
Leflunomide
Hydroxychloroquine
MTX is a ______ antagonist
folate
what 4 things do you use MTX for?
RA, psoriatic arthritis, connective tissue disease, vasculitis
what are the adverse effects of MTX?
Leucopenia / thrombocytopenia
Hepatitis / cirrhosis
Pneumonitis
Rash / mouth ulcers
Nausea / diarrhoea
what must be limited when taking MTX?
alcohol intake
what needs monitoring with MTX?
FBCs and LFTs
when must MTX be stopped?
Must be stopped in males and females at least 3 months before conception and throughout pregnancy
TERATOGENIC
Leflunomide is similar to MTX but has a very short half life
true or false?
false
leflunomide - very long half life, so requires wash out
when is sulfasalazine used in combination with MTX?
in early inflammatory arthritis
what are the adverse effects of sulfasalazine?
Nausea Rash / mouth ulcers Neutropenia Hepatitis Reversible oligozoospermia
what requires monitoring when taking sulfasalazine?
FBC and LFTs
does Hydroxychloroquine have an effect on joint damage?
no