PPT Flashcards
Example of Bulk forming laxative
Ispaghula Husk
Sterculia
Example of osmotic laxative
Lactulose
Macrogolis
Polyethylene Glycolis
Example of irritant and stimulant laxatives (act on enteric nerves):
Bisacodyl
Docusate Sodium
Senna
Example of faecal softeners
Co-danthrusate
Docusate Sodium
What laxatives are safe to use in pregnancy?
Senna
Magnesium salts
Docusate Sodium
What laxatives are good to use for the elderly or for terminally ill with opioid induced constipation?
Bisacodyl
Co-danthramer
Co-danthrusate
What drug can be used for opioid induced constipation when other laxatives are ineffective?
Methylnaltrexone - peripheral opioid receptor antagonist
What drug is specifically used to treat constipation in hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose
What drugs should be used in patients where constipation is due to neurological disease affecting motility?
Faecal softeners
Regular enemas or rectal washouts
What drugs can be used to treat IBS in general?
Antimuscarinic drugs:
- Dicycloverine
- Propantheline
Antispasmodic agents:
- Mebeverine
- Peppermint oil
What are the subtypes of IBS?
IBS-C - with constipation
IBS-D - with diarrhoea
IBS-M - when there’s both hard and loose stool over a short period of time
IBS-U - where bowel habits fluctuate problematically over a longer period of time
What drugs can be given to treat IBS-D
Loperamide
5-HT antagonists (Aloestron)
Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine)
What is the drug therapy for UC?
- Aminosalicylates (Mesalazine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine)
- Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, budenoside)
- Cytokine modulators (Adalimumab, infliximab)
- Immunosuppressants (azathioprine, methotrexate)
- Antibiotics (Metronidazole)
Examples if Anti-TNFa antibodies used in treating UC
Adalimumab, infliximab
Why are corticosteroids used in IBD, examples, what needs to be monitored for and side effects?
Used to induce remission, not for long-term therapy.
Examples: Prednisolone, dexamethasone, budesonide, IV hydrocortisone
Monitor for osteoporosis, Cushiingnoid features, hyperglycaemia, cataracts and glaucoma
SE: Infections, gastritis, diabetes, psychiatric effects, sleep disturbance, osteoporosis, growth suppression in children
Why are Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) used in IBD, examples, what needs to be monitored for and side effects?
Not usually used as monotherapy for Crohn’s
Examples: Mesalazine, Sulfasalazine
Monitor mesalazine annually and sulfasalazine: FBC and LFT’s every 3 months
SE: Headache, can occasionally worsen UC
Examples of Immunosuppressants used in IBD treatment, things to monitor and side effects:
Examples: Azathioprine, mercaptopurine. methotrexate
Monitor FBC and LFTs every 3 months, U&Es every 6 month or 3 month for methotrexate
SE: Increased susceptibility to infections, sunburn, cervical abnormalities and lymphoma
Examples of Biological agents used in IBD treatment, things to monitor and side effects:
Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Vedolizumab, Ustekinumab
Monitoring not done in 1* care but check for FBC, CRP, U&E, LFT every 3-6 months. Lipid profile and Hep B also checked periodically
SE: Injection site skin reaction, Increased susceptibility to infections including TB
What is the treatment for a UC flare in primary care when it is a left-sided disease or procititis?
Proctitis: Mesalazine suppository 1g nocte, Pentasa 1d suppository nocte
Left sided disease: Mesalazine foam enema 1-2g nocte, Pentasa liquid enema 1g nocte or Salofolk liquid enema 2g
What is the treatment for a UC flare in primary care when it is a Pancolitis or extensive disease?
Maximise oral 5-ASA (mesalazine)
Still symptomatic consider adding topical therapy:
Mesalazine foam enema 2g nocte, Pentasa liquid enema 1g
Or add Clipper 5mg (beclomethasone) OD for 28 days
IF UC flare hasn’t gotten better despite initial treatments what can be given in primary care?
Oral prednisolone 40mg OD for 7 days then 35mg OD for 7 days.
Reduce by 5 mg each week over 8 weeks
Remember GI and bone protection. Inform IBD team when steroids are given. Should not have more than 1 course a year without steroid sparing agents
How does Azathioprine work?
Prodrug that is quickly converted to 6-mercaptopurine via a nonenzymatic nucelophilic attack by sulfhydryl-containing compounds e.g. glutathione (present in RBC and tissues)
6-MP is then metabolised in the liver and gut by one of 3 enzymes.
2 serious drug interactions are ALLOPURINOL and FEBUXOSTAT which slow elimination of 6-MP by inhibiting xanthine oxidase
How does Infliximab and Adalimumab work?
Infliximab is a chimeric antibody
- 75% human and 25% murine sequences
- High specificity for TNF-a
- Neutralises biological activity of TNF-a by inhibiting binding to its receptors and can also stimulate apoptosis of activated lymphocytes in gut mucosa
Adalimumab:
- recombinant fully human monoclonal antibody
- binds to TNF-a and interferes with subsequent cytokine-driven inflammatory processes
When can elevated TNF-a levels be found and what is its role?
In patients with Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn disease and UC.
Activities of TNF-a include:
~ Induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins)
~ Enhancement of leukocyte migration
~activation of neutrophils and eosinophils
~induction of acute phase reactants and tissue degrading enzymes
~can cause polyarthritis