Systemic Steroids and Autoimmune Conditions Flashcards
List eight (8) systemic steroids in order from least potent to most potent, and also indicate their dose equivalent dose, and also indicate which drug has equal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid activity (Hint: Cute Hot Pharmacists and Physicians Marry Together and Deliver Babies [CHPPMTDB]
- cortisone (25 mg) [short-acting]
- hydrocortisone (20 mg)** equal mineralo/gluco [short-acting]
- prednisone (5 mg) has SOME mineralo [intermediate-acting]
- prednisolone (5 mg)* some mineralo [intermediate-acting]
- methylprednisolone (4 mg)* some mineralo [intermediate-acting]
- triamcinolone (4 mg) negligible [intermediate-acting]
- dexamethasone (0.75 mg) negligible [long-acting and highest potency]
- betamethasone (0.6 mg) negligible [long-acting and highest potency]
What is definition of immunosuppressed from systemic steroids? How to taper?
A patient is immunosuppressed when using >2mg/kg/day or >20 mg/day of prednisone or prednisone equivalent for > 2 weeks
Reduce dose by 10-20% every few days for 7-14 days.
List seven (7) systemic autoimmune conditions (Hint: R,L,M, R, C, S, P)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon
- Celiac Disease
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Psoriasis
List ten (10) drugs that can cause drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) [Hint: My Press Pony Miss Muffin The Queen Is A Terrific Horse MPPMMTQIATH)
- Methimazole
- Procainamide
- Propylthiouracil
- Methyldopa
- Minocycline
- Quinidine
- Isoniazid
- Anti-TNF agents
- Terbinafine
- Hydralazine (alone, and in BiDil)
List three groups of drugs that can cause or worsen Raynaud’s syndrome (hint: CV, chemo, Neuro)
- Beta blockers
- Bleomycin, cisplatin
- Amphetamines, Pseudoephedrine, Cocaine
List eight (8) glucocorticoids
- Cortisone
- Betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan, ReadySharp Betamethasone)
- Dexamethasone (DexPak 6, 10 or 13 day, Decadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, DoubleDex)
- Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef, Cortef)
- Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Therapy Pack, Solu-medrol, Depo-Medrol)
- Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Deltasone, Rayos)
- Prednisolone (Millipred, Orapred ODT, Veripred)
- Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
Which glucocorticoids are available PO only? (hint: 3)
- Cortisone
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
List four (4) serious risks of strong immunosuppressants
- Re-activation of tuberculosis and Hepatitis B and C
- Viruses, if the virus can be prevented by a live vaccine, give vaccine prior to immunosuppressive treatment
- lymphomas and certain skin cancers
- infections
List three (3) differences in clinical presentation between RA and OA
- RA is bilateral and symmetrical
- worse after rest, morning stiffness
- lab: anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF)
What is the preferred initial therapy for patients with symptomatic RA treated with a DMARD?
methotrexate
List six (6) Traditional (non-Biologic) Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
- Methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep) [
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs)
- Leflunomide (Arava)
- Tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR)
- Baricitinib (Olumiant)
MOA of Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep?
Irreversibly binds and inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, inhibiting folate, thymidylate synthease and purine; has immune modulator and anti-inflammatory activity
MOA of Plaquenil?
Not precisely known, immune modulator. Hydrochloroquine
MOA of Azulfidine?
Not precisely known, immune modulator. Sulfasalazine
MOA of Arava?
Inhibits pyrimidine synthesis resulting in anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Leflunomide
MOA of Xeljanz?
Inhibits Janus Kinase (JAK) enzymes, which stimulate immune cell function
MOA of Olumiant?
Inhibits Janus Kinase (JAK) enzymes, which stimulate immune cell function
List five (5) Anti-TNF biologic DMARDs?
- Etanercept (Enbrel) weekly SC
- Adalimumab (Humira) QOweek SC (weekly w/o MTX)
- Infliximab (Remicade) (infusion 0, 2, 6 week then q8wk)
- Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) SC 0, 2, 6 week then QOweek (or 400 mg every 4 weeks)
- Golimumab (Simponi Aria, Simponi) (monthly SC, weeks 0, 4 then q8week IV infusion)
List five (5) other biologic DMARDs (non-TNF inhibitors)
- Rituximab (Rituxan) (IV infusion day 1 and 15 with MTX)
- Anakinra (Kineret) (SC same time each day)
- Abatacept (Orencia) (SC weekly, infusion 0, 2, 4 then q4week)
- Tocilizumab (Actemra) (SC every other week, can increase to weekly. Infusion every 4 weeks)
- Sarilumab (Kevzara) (SC every 2 weeks)
MOA of Rituxan?
Depletes CD20 B cells believed to have a role in RA development and progression. Rituximab
MOA of Kineret?
IL-1 receptor antagonist; IL-1 mediates immunologic reactions in RA; not recommended first line per guidelines
MOA of Orencia?
Inhibits T-cell activation by binding to CD80 and CD86 on antigen presenting cells (blocking interaction with CD28)
MOA of Actemra?
IL-6 receptor antagonist; IL-6 mediates immunologic reactions in RA
MOA of Kevzara?
IL-6 receptor antagonist
List eight (8) common symptoms of SLE
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Butterfly rash (Malar rash)
- Muscle pain
- Photosensitivty
- Joint pain and stiffness
What symptoms of SLE contribute greatest to morbidity and mortality? (hint: 3 organ systems)
- Lupus nephritis
- Hematologic (e.g. anemia)
- Neurologic
truthfully there are many more
List five (5) drugs clasically used to treat SLE
- Hydroxychloroquine (FDA label)
- Cyclophosphamide
- Azathioprine
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Cyclosporine
List a biologic used in treatment of SLE
- Belimumab (Benlysta) (IV infusion every 2 weeks x 3 doses, then every 4 weeks. SC weekly)
MOA of Belysta?
IgG1-lambda monoclonal antibody: prevents the survival of B lymphocytes by blocking the binding of soluble human B lymphocyte stimulator protein (BLyS) to receptors on B lymphocytes; this reduces the activity of B-cell mediated immunity and the autoimmune response
List nine (9) classes of drugs approved for use in MS (hint: 1 chemo, 2 HPA-related drugs, interferons, glatiramer acetate, three oral immunomodulators, 1 related to nerve signal conduction, 1 biologic, 2 human biologic)
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
- Steroids
- Corticotropin (HP Acthar); also called ACTH
- Interferon beta formulations
- Glatiramer acetate
- Oral immunomodulators
- Potassium channel blockers
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Recombinant humanized monoclonal antibodies
What two (2) drug classes have historically been the mainstay of treatment for patients with relapsing forms of MS?
- Interferon beta formulations (Betaseron, Avonex, Rebif, Extavia, Plegridy)
- Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa)
MOA of glatiramer acetate?
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) is an immune modulator thought to induce and activate T-lymphocyte suppressor cells in relapsing forms of MS, although the exact mechanism if not well-defined
MOA of interferon beta products?
Interferon beta products alter the expression and response to surface antigens, enhancing immune cell function, although the exact mechanism in MS is not well-defined
List three interferon chemical entities used in interferon beta products for MS?
- inteferon beta-1a
- interferon beta-1b
- peginterferon beta-1a
List two (2) interferon beta-1a products and their routes of administration
- Avonex: IM
2. Rebif: SC
List two (2) interferon beta-1b products and their routes of administration
- Betaseron: SC
2. Extavia: SC