What Do I Have To Remember? Flashcards
What do I have to remember for Amiodarone? (Side effects, excretion, monitoring, interactions)
Side effects: QT PROLONGATION, corneal microdeposits, hypo/hyperthyroidism [contains iodine]
Excretion: Hepatic
Monitoring: 6 monthly LFTs, TFTs. Baseline LFTs, TFTs, potassium, chest x-ray, ECG (IV)
Interactions: QT PROLONGATION, Simvastatin (20MG MAX)
CYP INHIBITOR/SUBSTRATE
(affected by CYP3A)
antiretrovirals, macrolides (mycins), RL CCBs,antifungals, grapefruit juice, pioglitazone, St John’s Wort, Antiepileptics
What do I have to remember for digoxin? (side effects, dosing, monitoring, interactions)
Loading dose is required. Therapeutic range: 1-2mcg/L
Side effects:
- Cardiac arrhythmias and heart block
- neurological: weakness, confusion, headache, dizziness
- GI - anorexia
- BLURRY/YELLOW VISION
Monitoring:
electrolytes (HYPOkalaemia, HYPOmagnaesemia, HYPERcalcaemia),
renal function,
plasma-digoxin (at least 6 hours post dose),
heart rate (>60bpm)
Interactions:
- Drugs that increase digoxin: Amiodarone, Bupropion, RL CCBs, Itraconazole, Macrolides (mycins), Spironolactone, Trazodone, Trimethoprim
- St John’s Wort: reduces digoxin
- PPIs: hypomagnaesemia, digoxin tox risk, omeprazole can increase digoxin
- Diuretics: hypokalaemia - cardiac tox
- Drugs that affect renal function: NSAIDs, ACEis
What do I need to remember for heparins? (Cautions, antidote, side effects, pregnancy)
Pregnancy:
Can be used in pregnancy
Stop on the onset of labour to prevent haemorrhage
Antidote:
Reversal agent is protamine sulfate
Side effects:
Risk of heparin induced thrombocytopenia and Hyperkalaemia
Cautions:
Caution in patient with diabetes, chronic renal failure, acidosis or on drugs like potassium-sparing diuretics
What do I need to remember for warfarin? (Monitoring, side effects, interactions)
Side effects:
- haemorrhagic stroke
- rash, skin necrosis, purple toes
- diarrhoea and vomiting (leads to poor absorption)
- DVT/PE
Monitoring:
INR - alternate day at start, then longer, up to every 12 weeks, LFTs, U+Es, FBC, BP, TFTs
Interactions:
CYP SUBSTRATE: CYP Inducers and Inhibitors
What do I need to remember for aspirin? (Cautions)
Contraindicated in under 16 and in breastfeeding (Reyes syndrome)
What do I need to remember for antiplatelets? (Side effects, monitoring, counselling, interactions)
Side effects: hypersensitivity, heaviness in centre of chest, risk of haemorrhage in pregnancy
Monitoring: LFTs, U+Es
Counselling: take with or after food
Interactions:
CYP2c SUBSTRATE
- increased risk of bleeding: antifungals, carbazepines, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, NSAIDs, SSRIs, MTX, and anticoagulants
What do I need to remember about the treatment of hypertension in diabetes?
Regardless of the BP, first line is an ACEi or ARB but use with caution in renal impairment (risk of hyperkalaemia)
You would use an ARB in a person of African-Caribbean origin as ACEi is less effective in these populations
What do I need to remember about antihypertensives? (Interactions)
Interactions:
RL CCBs, amlodipine, ranolazine and high dose statins have an increase risk of myopathy. Recommend reducing Simvastatin to 20mg in these cases.
Don’t give ivabradine, aliskerin or CCBs with grapefruit juice
What do I need to remember for ACEis/ARBs? (Cautions, side effects)
Side effects: HYPERkalaemia, anaphylactics reactions (avoid in dialysis patients), hepatic effects (jaundice)
Cautions:
- HYPOVOLAEMIA
- high dose diuretics
- hypotension
- hyponatraemia
- unstable heart failure
- known renal disease
What do I need to remember about statins?
Interstitial lung disease, report any pulmonary symptoms
Hypothyroidism, correct before starting
Monitoring: LFTs (statins can alter these) at baseline, 3 months and 12 months, blood glucose at baseline and 3 monthly
What do I need to remember for Antiepileptics? (Side effects, DVLA, Preg+BF)
There is a risk of developing suicidal thought and behaviours.
Antiepileptic hypersensitivity syndrome: FATAL - carbamazepine, lacosamide, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide)
Barbiturates take months to withdraw.
DVLA instructions on driving: you can drive if you have a 3 year history of no daytime seizures, only nighttime.
If medication is changed then advice is to not drive for 6 months afterwards
Pregnancy: topiramate can cause cleft palate if taken during first trimester.
Breastfeeding: monitor for sedation, feeding difficulties, adequate weight gain and developmental milestones.
Note withdrawal can occur if child stops breastfeeding abruptly
What do I need to remember for carbamazepine?
Toxicity: incoordination, blurry vision, double vision, nystagmus, ataxia, arrthymias, N+V, diarrhoea, HYPONATRAEMIA
Side effects: blood disorders, skin reactions, HEPATIC disorders (increase dose in advanced liver disease), AeHS
Report any bleeding or bruising, any fever, rash, GI upset or jaundice
Monitoring: FBC, U+Es, LFTs, plasma conc (2 weeks after start)
Interactions: CYP INDUCER
- increased convulsions: orlistat
- decreased conc: phenytoin, rifabutin, St John’s Wort
- increased conc: acetazolamide, cimetidine, macrolides (mycins)
- reduces the conc of: antipsychotics, corticosteroids, warfarin, eplerenone, oestrogen and progestogen and Simvastatin
What do I need to remember for lamotrigine?
Lamotrigine can cause blood disorder - watch for fever, anaemia, bruising or infection
Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions, watch for purplish rash within first 8 weeks. Exacerbated by valproate, initially high doses of Lamotrigine, and more rapid dose escalation.
What do I need to remember for Topiramate?
Acute myopathy secondary to close angle glaucoma - typically occurs within 1 month of start
If raised ocular pressure occurs - seek specialist advice and reduce down Topiramate as rapidly as feasible - no abrupt stop
What do I need to remember for sodium valproate?
Liver toxicity - occurs in first 6 months, monitor LFTs every 6 months until they return to normal
Discontinue if abnormally prolonged prothrombin time persists or if there are signs of toxicity
Persistent vomiting and abdo pain, anorexia, jaundice and loss of seizure control
What do I need to remember for vigabatrin? (side effects)
Can cause visual field defects - varies from 1 month to years after start
Usually persists despite cessation.
Visual field testing at baseline and 6 monthly.
Advise to report any new visual symptoms and refer immediately to ophthalmologist.