Principles of prescribing Flashcards
What are the five points you must consider when rationally prescribing?
1) Specify therapeutic objective
2) Make an inventory of possible treatments - EVIDENCE BASED
3) Choose a treatment
4) provide px with clear information and instructions
5) Monitor the effectiveness of the treatment
When prescribing for children, why must you be cautious?
They have an increased risk of toxicity as drugs are not normally tested in children
What two topical anti-allergy drugs can regular optometrist prescribe?
Antazoline (Anti-histamine) and Sodium Cromoglicate (Mast cell stabiliser)
Name four principles that should be followed when prescribing to pregnant women.
1) Avoid unnecessary drug use
2) Assess risk and benefits to mother and child
3) Avoid drugs in the first trimester : risk of teratogenesis
4) Keep in your mind that drugs taken in the second or third trimester may have a toxic effect on baby/ growth
5) Pick drugs which are older ; more data on the safety profile and the lowest therapeutic dosage
Name the five principles you must follow when prescribing to breastfeeding mothers.
1) Avoid unnecessary drug use
2) Asses benefits and risk to mother and baby
3) Avoid use of drugs which are known to cause serious toxicity in adults
4) Use older drugs as first line treatment as they have a more detailed safety history
5) Drugs for children do not generally propose a hazard
What is primarily the reason elderly people are at risk when administrating drugs?
Their ability to excrete drugs is reduced so they are less able to excrete drugs as well and they also have an increased sensitivity to drugs (esp CNS drugs)
Why must you be cautious when prescribing eye drops to elderly?
They are frail so they may have difficulty using eye drops so you may want to prescribe gadgets to help them with compliance
Why are new born babies sensitive to drug reactions?
The drug can build up, as their metabolism system has not developed yet
