BNF - Chapter 9 - Blood and nutrition Flashcards
(306 cards)
Before initiating treatment for anaemia it is essential to determine what?
To determine which type of anaemia is present - iron salts may be harmful if given to patients with anaemias other than those due to iron deficiency
What is sickle-cell disease?
Sickle-cell disease is caused by a structural abnormality of haemoglobin resulting in deformed, less flexible red blood cells
What is sickle-cell crisis?
where infarction of the microvasculature and restricted blood supply to organs results in severe pain.
What does sickle-cell crisis usually require?
Sickle-cell crisis usually requires hospitalisation, fluid replacement, analgesia, and treatment of any concurrent infection
What does haemolytic anaemia require?
Folate supplementation
What does folate supplementation help in sickle cell anaemia?
Helps to make new red blood cells as haemolytic anaemia increases erythropoiesis; this may increase folate requirements and supplementation with folic acid is recommended
Which drug can reduce the frequency of sickle cell crisis?
Hydroxycarbamide can reduce the frequency of crises and the need for blood transfusions in sickle cell disease
However the beneficial effects may not be evident for several months
What is G6PD deficiency?
Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is common in individuals originating from Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East; it can also occur less frequently in all other individuals.
Is G6PD deficiency more common in male or female?
In Males
What is haemolytic anaemia?
Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. The destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis
Individuals with G6PD deficiency are susceptible to developing what if they take a number of common drugs or when they have an infection?
acute haemolytic anaemia
They are also susceptible to developing acute haemolytic anaemia when they eat fava beans (broad beans); this is termed favism.
When prescribing drugs for patients with G6PD deficiency what three points should be kept in mind?
G6PD deficiency is genetically heterogeneous; susceptibility to the haemolytic risk from drugs varies; thus, a drug found to be safe in some G6PD-deficient individuals may not be equally safe in others;
manufacturers do not routinely test drugs for their effects in G6PD-deficient individuals;
the risk and severity of haemolysis is almost always dose-related.
Which drugs have a definitive risk of haemolysis in most G6PD-deficient individuals?
Dapsone and other sulfones Fluoroquinolones (including ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin) Methylthioninium chloride Nitrofurantoin Primaquine Quinolones Rasburicase Sulfonamides (including co-trimoxazole)
Which drugs have a possible risk of haemolysis in some G6PD-deficient individuals?
Aspirin
Chloroquine
Menadione, water-soluble derivatives (e.g. menadiol sodium phosphate)
Quinine (may be acceptable in acute malaria)
Sulfonylureas
What may be used as a immunosuppressive treatment for aplastic anaemia?
Intravenous horse antithymocyte globulin in combination with ciclosporin
Why is prednisolone used?
Prednisolone is used for the prevention of adverse effects associated with antithymocyte globulin treatment.
When are epoetins (recombinant human erythropoeitins used)
Epoetins (recombinant human erythropoietins) are used to treat anaemia associated with erythropoietin deficiency in chronic renal failure, to increase the yield of autologous blood in normal individuals and to shorten the period of symptomatic anaemia in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Which Epoetin is licensed for the prevention of anaemia in preterm neonates of low-birth weigh?
Epoetin - a therapeutic response may take several weeks
Compare Darbepoetin alfa to epoetin beta?
Darbepoetin alfa is a hyperglycosylated derivative of epoetin; it has a longer half-life and can be administered less frequently than epoetin.
What is Stevens’-Johnson syndrome (SJS)?
is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It’s usually a reaction to medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of affected skin dies, sheds and begins to heal after several days
What has been associated in patients treated with erythropoietins?
- rare cases of Steven’s-Johnson syndrome
What should patients be counselled on when on erthropoetin treatment?
Patients and their carers should be advised of the signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions when starting treatment and instructed to stop treatment and seek immediate medical attention if they develop widespread rash and blistering; these rashes often follow fever or flu-like symptoms—discontinue treatment permanently if such reactions occur.
What should the haemoglobin concentration be maintained within when on erythropoietin treatment?
10-12g/100ml
Haemoglobin concentrations higher than 12g/100ml should be avoided
What route should iron salts be given for iron deficiency anaemia?
By mouth unless there are good reasons for using another route