UNIT 3 - Cirrhosis Drugs

Question 1

what drugs would be prescribed to prevent itching? (the itching is a coexisting symptom of jaundice

Answer 1

• antihistamines hydroxyine (Atarax)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Questran

Question 2

what drugs would be prescribed to treat hepatitis ?

Answer 2

• ribavirin
• lamivudine
• interferon

Question 3

what drugs are use to treat ascites? (ascites is fluid in the third space do to a high level of albumin. The albumin is what attracts water into the vascular area)

Answer 3

think diuretics

• bumetanide (bumex)
• furosemide (lasix)
• spironolactone (aldactone)

Question 4

what drugs are used to treat encephalopathy? (from a build up of ammonia due the liver’s inability to convert ammonia to urea)

Answer 4

• lactulose (make them poop the ammonia out. diarrhea almost)
• neomycin (antibiotic)

Question 5

what drugs are used to treat varices (collateral vessels created as a product of portal hypertension)

Answer 5

octreotide (sandostatin)

Question 6

what drugs are prescribed for portal hypertension?

Answer 6

beta blockers (end in -lol)

Question 7

what does the LIVER do for the body?

Answer 7

think (recycle company name “PDSM - people drink so much”
P - produce albumin, bile, and coagulation factors
D - detox prescription drugs, alcohol, etc
S - store glycogen (reserves glucose until body needs it)
M - metabolize ( ammonia into urea to be excreted from the kidneys)