Vitamins

Question 1

Deficiency of which vitamins cause which disorder?

Answer 1

Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency cause megaloblastic anemia.
Folic acid deficiency: neural tube defects (spina bifida).
Vit B12 deficiency: pernicious anemia

Question 2

What is important to do before starting treatment of megaloblastic anemia and why?

Answer 2

Confirm which vitamin deficiency that has caused it.
If folic acid treatment is started for vitamin B12 deficiency, the folic acid may partially compensate. However, if the B12 deficiency is not treated, irreversible neurological damage may occur.

Question 3

Drugs for megaloblastic anemia and adm

Answer 3

Folic acid - oral
Cyancobalamin - IM, nasal spray (for maintenance)
Hydroxocobalamin - IM

Question 4

Causes of folic acid deficiency

Answer 4

Too low dietary intake.
Alcoholism.
Some malabsorption syndromes.
Drugs: Folate reductase inhibitors (methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim), cholestyramine, some anticonvulsant drugs (phenytoin).

Question 5

Vitamin B12 is essential for..

Answer 5

Growth, cell replication, hematopoiesis, myelin synthesis

Question 6

Absorption of B12 is dependent on…

Answer 6

Intrinsic factor and Ca

Question 7

Causes of vit B12 deficiency

Answer 7

Malabsorption.
Strict vegetarian diet (given orally)
Gastrectomy.

Question 8

Hydroxocobolamin - additional indication, adm and MOA for this disease

Answer 8

Cyanide poisoning. Given IV. Rapidly combines with cyanide.