Prescribing in...

Question 1

What antibiotics can’t be used in pregnant patients?

Answer 1

tetracyclines
aminoglycosides
sulphonamides and trimethoprim
quinolones

Question 2

What other drugs cant be used in pregnant patients?

Answer 2

ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists
statins
warfarin
sulfonylureas
retinoids (including topical)
cytotoxic agents

Question 3

What needs to be considered in epileptic pregnant patients?

Answer 3

The majority of anti epileptics are known to be potentially harmful, but decision to stop must be balanced against risk of uncontrolled epilepsy

Question 4

What are the non-drug contraindications to breastfeeding?

Answer 4

Galactosaemia

Viral infections e.g. HIV

Question 5

What antibiotics can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding?

Answer 5

penicillins
cephalosporins
trimethoprim

Question 6

What endocrine drugs can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding?

Answer 6

glucocorticoids

levothyroxine

Question 7

what epilepsy drugs can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding?

Answer 7

sodium valproate

carbamazepine

Question 8

what asthma drugs can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding

Answer 8

salbutamol

theophyllines

Question 9

what psychiatric drugs can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding

Answer 9

tcas

antipsychotics

Question 10

what hypertension drugs can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding

Answer 10

beta blockers

hydralazine

Question 11

what anticoagulants can be given to mothers who are breastfeeding

Answer 11

warfarin

heparin

Question 12

is digoxin safe in breastfeeding mothers

Answer 12

yes

Question 13

what antibiotics should be avoided in breastfeeding mothers

Answer 13

ciprofloxacin
tetracycline
chloramphenicol
sulphonamides

Question 14

what psychiatric drugs should be avoided in breastfeeding mothers

Answer 14

lithium

benzodiazepines

Question 15

what other drugs should be avoided in breastfeeding mothers

Answer 15

carbimazole
methotrexate
sulphonylureas
cytotoxic drugs
amiodarone

Question 16

what drugs may exacerbate heart failure

Answer 16

pioglitazone
verapamil
nsaids
glucocorticoids
flecainide

Question 17

what drugs should be used with caution in asthma/copd

Answer 17

nsaids
beta blockers
adenosine

Question 18

what drugs should be avoided in renal failure

Answer 18

tetracycline and nitrofurantoin
nsaids
lithium
metformin

Question 19

what drugs are likely to accumulate in chronic kidney disease

Answer 19

most antibiotics
digoxin
atenolol
methotrexate
sulphonylureas
furosemide
opioids

Question 20

what drugd are relatively safe in kidney failure

Answer 20

erythromucin and rifampicin
diazepam
warfarin

Question 21

what drugs might worsen seizure control in epilepsy

Answer 21

alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines
ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin
aminophylline, theophylline
bupropion
methylphenidate (used in ADHD)
mefenamic acid

Question 22

what drugs might provoke seizures when they are withdrawn?

Answer 22

benzos
baclofen
hydroxyzine

Question 23

what drugs should be used with caution in ischaemic heart disease

Answer 23

nsaids
oestrogens
varenicline

Question 24

what drugs are inducers of the P450 system (decrease INR)

Answer 24

antiepileptics: phenytoin, carbamazepine
barbiturates: phenobarbitone
rifampicin
St John’s Wort
chronic alcohol intake
griseofulvin
smoking

Question 25

what drugs are inhibitors of the P450 system

Answer 25

antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, clarithromycine/erythromycin
isoniazid
cimetidine,omeprazole
amiodarone
allopurinol
imidazoles: ketoconazole, fluconazole
SSRIs: fluoxetine, sertraline
ritonavir
sodium valproate
acute alcohol intake
quinupristin