Prescribing Flashcards
What are the three classes of calcium channel blockers?
Dihydropyridines
Verapamil
Dilitiazem
Name three examples of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
Nifedipine
Amlodipine
Felodipine
What are the three side effects of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers?
Headache
Flushing
Ankle Swelling
Which drug class does verapamil interact with? What does this interaction result in?
Beta-Blockers
Heart Block
What are the five side effects of verapamil?
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Heart Failure
Flushing
Constipation
In which two circumstances should we be cautious about the administration of diltiazem?
Heart Failure Patients
Those Who Have Been Administered Beta-Blockers
What are the four side effects of diltiazem?
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Heart Failure
Ankle Swelling
What is the most appropriate management option when ACE inhibitors result in an eGFR reduction > 25%?
The ACE inhibitor dose should be reduced
There should be regular monitoring of renal function, and if this worsens the ACE inhibitors may need to be stopped
What is stage one hypertension?
It is defined as a clinic blood pressure between 140/90mmHg and 160/100mmHg
What are the three criteria for anti-hypertensive management of stage one hypertension?
- Discuss anti-hypertensive drug therapy with patients aged <80 years who have ≥1 of the following: established cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or an estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease of ≥10%
- Consider anti-hypertensive drug therapy for patients aged ≥80 years who have a clinic blood pressure >150/90mmHg
- Consider anti-hypertensive drug therapy for patients aged <60 years with an estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease <10%.
What is stage two hypertension?
It is defined as a clinic blood pressure > 160/100mmHg
What is the criteria for anti-hypertensive management of stage two hypertension?
It is offered to all patients with stage two hypertension
What are the two first line management options of heart failure?
ACE Inhibitor
AND
Beta-Blocker
What ramipril dose, route and frequency is recommended in those who have had a recent myocardial infarction with evidence of heart failure?
Ramipril 2.5mg Twice Daily
Which dose, route and frequency of GTN is used to manage myocardial ischaemia and unstable angina?
Dose = 400-800mcg
Route = Sublingual
Frequency = Once
Which second anti-platelet agent is preferred in STEMI patients undergoing PCI?
Prasugrel
When treating STEMIs what is the dose of DOACs dependent upon?
It is dependent upon whether patients are going to receive PCI or not
PCI < 12 hours
What is the first line management option of SVT? What dose, route and frequency?
IV Adenosine 6mg Once Only
What is the first line primary prevention management option of cardiovascular events in those with hypercholesterolaemia? What dose, route and frequency?
Atorvastatin 20mg One Daily
What is the first line secondary prevention management option of cardiovascular events in those with hypercholesterolaemia? What dose, route and frequency? What classifies as cardiovascular disease?
Atorvastatin 80mg Once Daily
Stroke, Transient Ischaemic Attack, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease
What % reduction in LDL cholesterol levels should be evident after 3 months of statin treatment?
> 40%
What effect do statins have on liver function tests?
Increased ALT Levels
How should the statin dose be adjusted when it results in ALT elevation - less than 3 times the upper limit of the reference range?
The statin should be continued at the same dose
How should the statin dose be adjusted when it results in ALT elevation - more than 3 times the upper limit of the reference range?
The statin should be discontinued
How should the statin dose be adjusted when it results in CK elevation - less than 5 times the upper limit of the reference range?
The statin can be continued at a lower dose
How should the statin dose be adjusted when it results in CK elevation - more than 5 times the upper limit of the reference range?
The statin should be discontinued and clinical features should be monitored
If symptoms resolve and statin treatment is still indicated based on their serum cholesterol levels, a statin could be started again at a lower dose
What is the definition of postural hypotension?
It is defined as a systolic drop of > 20mmHg and/or a diastolic drop of > 10mmHg
What is the first line management option of postural hypotension?
Fludrocortisone
What is the first line management option of pulmonary oedema?
IV Furosemide 20mg Once Only
What is the first line management option of chronic asthma in children under 5 years old?
Short Acting Beta2 Agonist (SABA)
What dose, route and frequency of salbutamol is initially trialled?
Inhaled Salbutamol 1-2 Puffs As Required
What is the second line management option of chronic asthma in children under 5 years old? How long should this be trialled for?
Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)
8 Weeks
What is the third line management option of chronic asthma in children under 5 years old?
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
What is the fourth line management option of chronic asthma in children under 5 years old?
Specialist Review
What is the first line management option of chronic asthma in children over 5 years old?
Short Acting Beta2 Agonist (SABA)
What is the second line management option of chronic asthma in children over 5 years old?
Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS)
What is the third line management option of chronic asthma in children over 5 years old?
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
What is the fourth line management option of chronic asthma in children over 5 years old?
Long Acting Bronchodilator Inhalers (LABA)
What are the three classifications of acute asthma?
Moderate
Severe
Life Threatening
What are the four clinical features of moderate acute asthma?
PEFR > 50% Predicted
Normal Speech
Normal RR
Normal HR
What are the five clinical features of severe acute asthma?
PEFR 33-50% Predicted
Impaired Speech
Respiratory Distress Features
RR > 40 (1-5 yrs old), RR > 30 (> 5 yrs old)
HR > 140 (1-5 yrs old), HR > 125 (> 5 yrs old)
What are the seven clinical features of life threatening acute asthma?
PEFR < 33%
Saturations < 92%
Poor Respiratory Effort
Silent Chest
Hypotension
Cyanosis
Confusion/Coma
How do we manage moderate acute asthma attacks?
Nebulised Salbutamol
What are the five management options for severe acute asthma attacks? List it in the stepwise order
Nebulisers With Salbutamol (2.5mg -5mg)/Ipratropium Bromide (500mcg)
IV Hydrocortisone (100mg)
IV Magnesium Sulphate (1.2mg - 2mg)
IV Aminophylline
Prednisolone (40-50mg Once Daily for Five Days)
What dose of oral prednisolone is advised in severe paediatric acute asthma attacks?
1 mg per kg of body weight once daily for 3 days
What is the first line management option of severe acute exacerbations of COPD? What dose, route and frequency?
Salbutamol 1mg/mL Nebuliser Liquid
What is the second line management option of severe acute exacerbations of COPD? What dose, route and frequency?
Ipraotropium Bromide 500mcg/Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5mL Nebuliser Liquid
What is the first line management option of chronic COPD?
Short Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (SAMA)
OR
Short Acting Beta2 Agonist (SABA)
What is the second line management option of chronic COPD - if asthma/steroid responsive?
Long Acting Beta2 Agonist
&
Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS)
List three examples of combined ICS & LABA inhalers
Formoterol & Budesonide
Formoterol & Beclometasone
Salmeterol & Fluticasone
What is the second line management option of chronic COPD - if not asthma/steroid responsive?
Long Acting Beta Agonist (LABA)
&
Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)
What is the third line management option of chronic COPD?
Long Acting Beta2 Agonist (LABA)
&
Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)
&
Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS)
What is the most appropriate oxygen therapy in those with COPD and CO2 retention?
28% Venturi Mask 4L/min
When is non-invasive ventilation recommended to manage COPD exacerbations?
Respiratory Acidosis = pH 7.25 - 7.35
How do we monitor for adverse effects of oxygen therapy in COPD patients - due to the risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure?
Arterial Blood Gas
Which three drugs should be administered with caution in asthma and COPD patients?
Adenosine
Beta-Blockers
NSAIDs
What is the first line management option of community acquired pneumonia?
Amoxicillin
What are the three second line management options of community acquired pneumonia?
Clarithromycin
Doxycyline
Erythromycin
What are the five features of ascending cholangitis?
Fever
Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Jaundice
Confusion
Hypotension
What is the first line management option of ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis? What dose, route and frequency?
Spironolactone 100mg Once Daily
What is the first line management option of c.difficile infection - when they have had a previous c.difficile infection in the past 12 weeks?
Fidaxomicin
Which drug does omeprazole interact with - decreasing its efficacy? What can be administered instead?
Clopidogrel
Lansoprazole
What are the four features of shingles?
Fever
Headache
Burning Pain Over Affected Dermatome
Erythematous, Macular/Vesicular Rash Over Affected Dermatome
What is the first line management option of shingles?
Aciclovir 800mg 5 times daily for 7 days
What are the four features of scabies?
Pruritus
Symmetrical Erythematous Papules
Linear Burrows on Side of Fingers, Interdigital Webs & Flexor Aspect of Wrists
Excoriation Marks
What is the first line management option of scabies? What dose, route and frequency?
Permethrin 5% Cream
Dose = Apply To Whole Body
Route = Topical
Frequency = Once Weekly For Two Doses
What is the first line management option of cellulitis?
Flucloxacillin
What is the first line management option of cellulitis in pregnancy? What dose, route and frequency?
Erythromycin 500mg Four Times Daily For 5-7 Days
When is metformin used to manage type two diabetes?
It is the first line pharmacological management option
Whar are the three side effects of metformin?
Gastrointestinal Upset
Vitamin B12 Malabsorption
Lactic Acidosis
What are the two factors which make type two diabetics susceptible to lactic acidosis when administered metformin?
Liver disease
Renal failure
How do we reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects associated with metformin?
The metformin dose should be started at a low dose and tritiated up slowly
What is the most appropriate management step when individuals develop unacceptable metformin side effects?
We switch to modified-release metformin
What are the six contraindications of metformin?
Chronic Kidney Disease, eGFR < 30ml/min
Recent Myocardial Infarction
Sepsis
Acute Kidney Injury
Alcohol Abuse
Severe Dehydration
In which condition should metformin be stopped in? Explain
Myocardial Infarction
Lactic acidosis risk
How should metformin be administered prior to surgery?
The afternoon dose on the day of surgery is usually withheld
When are sulfonylureas used to manage type two diabetics?
They are a second line pharmacological management option
Name three sulfonylureas used to manage type two diabetics
‘ides’
Glimepiride
Gliclazide
Glipizide
What are the six side effects associated with sulfonylureas?
Hypoglycaemic Episodes
Weight Gain
Hyponatraemia (SIADH)
Hepatotoxicity
Peripheral Neuropathy
Bone Marrow Suppression
What are the four contraindications of sulfonylureas?
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Renal Failure
Hepatic Failure
How should sulfonylureas be administered prior to surgery?
It should be withheld on the day of surgery
When are thiazolidinediones used to manage type two diabetes?
It is a second line pharmacological treatment option
Name a thiazolidinedione used to manage type two diabetes
Pioglitazone
What are the five side effects associated with thiazolidinediones?
Weight Gain
Liver Impairment
Fluid Retention
Bone Fractures
Urinary Bladder Cancer
What are the three contraindications of thiazolidinones?
Heart Failure
Obesity
Active/Previous History of Bladder Cancer
When are SGLT-2 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes?
They are a second line pharmacological management option
They should be introduced in all cases where individuals develop cardiovascular disease, have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (QRISK > 10%) or develop heart failure
Name three SGLT-2 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes
‘glifozin’
Canagliflozin
Dapagliflozin
Empagliflozin
What are the six side effects associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors?
Weight Loss
Urinary Tract Infection
Thrush
Fournier’s Gangrene
Normoglycaemia Ketoacidosis
Diabetic Foot Disease
What are the four features of Fournier’s gangrene?
Fever
Perineum Pain
Perineum Swelling
Perineum Erythema
What is an advantage of SLGT-2 inhibitor administration?
It reduces cardiovascular disease
When are DPP-4 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes?
They are a second line pharmacological treatment option
Name three DPP-4 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes
‘gliptin’
Saxagliptin
Sitagliptin
Vildagliptin
What are the two side effects associated with DPP-4 inhibitors?
Nausea & Vomiting
Acute Pancreatitis
Why are DPP-4 inhibitors preferable to thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas?
They dont cause weight gain
When are GLP-1 analogues used to manage type two diabetes?
They are a fourth line pharmacological treatment option
What two other hypoglycaemic drugs are GLP-1 analogues administered with?
Metformin
Sulfonylureas
In which two circumstances, do we administer GLP-1 analogues?
In individuals with a BMI > 35kg/m2, who are of European descent and there are complications associated with their increased weight
In individuals with a BMI < 35kg/m2, on which insulin is unacceptable due to occupational implications or weight loss would benefit their comorbidities
Name three GLP-1 analogues used to manage type two diabetes
‘tide’
Exenatide
Liraglutide
Lixisenatide
What are the three side effects of GLP-1 analogues?
Weight Loss
Nausea & Vomiting
Acute Pancreatitis
What is the administration route of GLP-1 analogues?
Subcutaneous injection
Which anti-diabetic drug is least likely to cause hypoglycaemia?
Metformin
When is insulin used to manage type two diabetes?
It It is a third line pharmacological management option, which should be co-administered with metformin
Name two rapid acting insulins
Insulin Aspart - Novorapid
Insulin Lispro - Humalog
When patients present with a blood glucose > 15 what insulin should be administered? How many units?
Novorapid
4 Units
Name two short acting acting insulins
Actrapid
Humalin S
Name two intermediate acting insulins
Isophane Inuslin
Humulin I
Name three long acting insulins
Insulin Determir - Levemir
Insulin Glargine - Lantus
Tresiba
What insulin regime is used to manage type one diabetes?
Basal Bolus Regime
This involves administration of a long acting insulin once/twice daily, with short acting insulin with meals
What are the three side effects of insulin?
Hypoglycaemia
Weight gain
Lipodystrophy
How should the dose of insulin be adjusted prior to surgery?
The insulin should be administered as normal the day before surgery, except for long acting insulins which should be reduced in dosage by 20%
What insulin regime should be administered in patients who are nil by mouth for extended periods?
Variable Rate
This is when the insulin dose is altered depending on regular blood glucose levels
What insulin regime and dose should be administered in DKAs?
Fixed Rate - 0.1 units/kg/h
It is advised that short acting insulin should be stopped, whilst long acting insulin is continued
What insulin regime and dose should be administered in HSS?
Fixed Rate - 0.05 units/kg/h
How should the insulin regime be adjusted when the evening glucose readings are elevated however the morning glucose readings are normal?
It is preferable to adjust the existing regimen, rather than to add in an additional insulin prescription
We would increase the morning insulin dose by 10%
What is the first line management option of hypoglycaemia in an unconscious patient in hospital?
IV Glucose 20% 100mL
What is the first line management option of hypoglycaemia in an unconscious patient - in which IV access in unattainable?
IM Glucagon
What are the two monitoring requirements of type one diabetes?
HbA1c
Home Glucose Readings
What is the HbA1c target in type two diabetic patients?
< 48mmol/mol (6.5%)
What fasting glucose level indicates a diagnosis of gestational diabetes?
> 5.6mmol
What OGTT level at 2 hours indicates a diagnosis of gestational diabetes?
> 7.8mmol
What are the management options of gestational diabetes in those with a fasting glucose < 7mmol?
It involves trial of diet, exercise and metformin
What is the management option of gestational diabetes in those with a fasting glucose > 7mmol?
Short Acting Insulin