Special Patient Groups [completed] Flashcards
What are some special patient groups?
Patients with:
Asthma
Diabetes
Kidney, Liver and Cardiovascular disease
and more…
Athletes
Pregnant people
Elderly
Children
What advice is there regarding giving medicines to pregnant patients?
Give as few medicines as possible at the lowest effective doses for as short a duration as possible
Are herbal medicines a safer alternative to conventional medicines?
NO - less regulation/ evidence for use in pregnancy and constituents may be toxic, have pharmacological activity or be contaminated.
When do medicines pose the greatest risk during a pregnancy?
3-11 weeks - risk of teratogenicity
Trimester 2 and 3 - there is still a risk to growth, functional development and toxicity
What can medications given short before term or during labour do?
Have adverse effects on labour and the neonate after delivery
What needs to be considered when supplying medication to women who are breastfeeding?
Does the medication pass into milk and how much - look at pH and lipid solubility?
Will this be harmful to the baby?
Will medicines affect supply of milk and what are the consequences of this - what alternatives may be given?
Will the medication affect the babies ability to suckle?
- Sedatives/codeine can affect suckling ability of baby –> cannot feed so effect on nutrition
When medicines are not contraindicated it is important that they are:
Taken after feeds wherever possible
At the lowest effective dose
Shortest duration of treatment possible
What are some common conditions that pregnant women may ask a pharmacy about?
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain and Fever
Coughs and colds
Threadworm
Headlice
Heartburn and Indigestion
Constipation
Haemorrhoids
Diarrhoea
Cystitis
Fungal Infections
Dermatitis
Hayfever and allergies
Conjunctivitis
Anti-malarials
What may the GP prescribe in women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?
Antiemetics such as cyclizine or promethazine BUT only if ESSSENTIAL
What is available over the counter for women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?
NOTHING
DO NOT GIVE TRAVEL SICKNESS MEDICINES
What is some self-care advice that can be given to women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Having a drink and a ginger biscuit before getting out of bed as ginger can help with nausea
Wearing travel BANDS used to prevent travel sickness
Maintaining hydration if vomiting
What can be provided to women suffering from pain and fever during pregnancy?
PARACETAMOL AT LOWEST EFFECTIVE DOSE AND SHORTEST DURATION
Are NSAIDs recommended during pregnancy?
Should be avoided, especially in the third trimester
What effect can aspirin and ibuprofen have during pregnancy especially in the third trimester?
Aspirin can impair platelet function
Aspirin and Ibuprofen can affect onset and duration of labour
What can be given to breastfeeding women who are experiencing pain?
Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
Why is OTC aspirin not allowed to be taken by breastfeeding women?
can pass through milk and cause Reye’s syndrome in the baby
What is reyes syndrome?
A condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain
Aspirin 75mg may be taken by breastfeeding women under what condition?
Prescribed by the GP and no other contraindications
What non-drug advice may be given to pregnant women experiencing back pain?
exercising in water
massage therapy
Why are many cough and cold medicines not used in pregnant or breastfeeding women?
They usually contain suppressants, expectorants and decongestants which are not licensed in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
What could be recommended to a patient with a cough or cold who is pregnant or breastfeeding?
Can take paracetamol for fever.
Use of steam inhalation, saline and nasal sprays, and NON MEDICATED glycerin pastilles to lubricate the throat
Make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids
What is the role of pseudoephedrine in cough and cold medicines?
Decongestant
What effect can pseudoephedrine have on breast milk?
Reduces breast milk production
What effect can codeine have if taken during breastfeeding?
Sedation of the infant
Effect on suckling ability
Constipation
Why do pregnant women commonly have heartburn?
Pressure of baby against stomach and hormonal changes. It is more common in the later stages as the baby gets heavier.
What medications can be given to treat heartburn in pregnant women?
Alginates such as gaviscon but they require caution
Why do alginates require caution in pregnancy?
High in sodium
if patient is predisposed to a high BP can lead to pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
What effect may aluminium based alginates have in pregnancy?
Can aggravate constipation
Can PPIs be recommended OTC in pregnancy?
No - omeprazole MIGHT be allowed but check product licensing and SmPC first
What is the recommended treatment for heartburn and indigestion in pregnant women?
Lifestyle and diet changes before drug treatment
- avoiding trigger foods
-propping up upper body when sleeping
-smaller meals
- try to not eat 3 hours before bed
- Drink plenty of fluid
What is the recommended treatment for constipation in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
First make changes to diet such as increasing fibre and sorbitol intake then if ineffective use drug treatment
What drug treatment is okay for constipation in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Bulk forming (fybogel) and osmotic (lactulose) laxatives ONLY if dietary changes have been ineffective
Why are stimulant laxatives like Senna, docusate and bisacodyl not reccomended OTC in pregnancy?
They stimulate smooth muscle - uterus is made up of smooth muscle causing contractions.
Why are stimulant laxatives like Senna, docusate and bisacodyl not reccomended OTC in breastfeeding?
The baby can get colic and diarrhoea due to peristaltic activity if in breast milk
Why is it important for breastfeeding mothers to drink plenty of fluid?
A lot of their fluid intake is used to make milk so it is important they stay hydrated
Why are haemorrhoids so common in pregnancy?
Pregnant women likely to be constipated and there is pressure on the blood vessels in the anus and rectum due to the baby
When do symptoms of haemorrhoids resolve in pregnancy?
after baby is delivered
What products are not licensed for OTC use in pregnancy for the treatment of haemmorhoids?
Hydrocortisone
In general should haemorrhoids in pregnancy be treated OTC?
No.
Patient should be referred to the GP if this is their first time having haemmorhoids and if symptoms are very painful or severe
What lifestyle advice could be given for treating haemorrhoids in pregnancy?
Dietary advice
- increase fibre and sorbitol
- drink plenty of water
Discourage straining such as lifting heavy loads
What is the first line treatment for headlice in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Dimethicone 4% (Hedrin)
(HEDRIN IS FIRST LINE IN ALL PATIENT GROUPS)
Wet combing with conditioner regularly
What is the first line treatment for THREADWORM in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
STRICT HYGIENE RULES ONLY FOR 4 -6 WEEKS
Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
Keep fingernails short and avoid biting nails or scratching around the anus.
Shower every morning to remove eggs from skin
Change bed linen and nightwear daily
Do not shake out clothing or bed linen as this will distribute eggs.
Wash and dry clothing or bed linen in a hot cycle
Thoroughly dust and vacuum and clean bathroom.
Can we give OTC products such as piperazine and mebendazole (OVEX) to treat threadworm in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
NO
Are chloramphenicol and propamidine isetionate licensed for OTC supply in treating conjunctivitis in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
NO
What can be recommended to pregnant and breastfeeding women who have conjunctivitis?
Boil water and add salt to make a sterile saline solution to clean the eye with
what should be done if a pregnant or breastfeeding woman presents with cystitis?
Refer to GP
Why does pregnancy increase the risk of fungal infections - especially vaginal thrush?
Hormonal changes make it easier for fungi to stick to the epithelium
Are OTC antifungals reccomended in pregnancy?
No