Common drug side effects

Question 1

s/e of phenytoin

Answer 1

acne
coarse face
gum hypertrophy
hirsutism

Question 2

how does phenytoin toxicity present

Answer 2

as a cerebellar syndrome

Question 3

s/e of sodium valproate

Answer 3

‘valproate’

Valproate 
Appetite increase (wt gain) 
Liver failure (monitor LFTs during 1st 6m) 
Pancreatitis 
Reversible hair loss 
Oedema 
Ataxia 
Teratogenicity, Tremor, Thrombocytopenia 
Encephalopathy

Question 4

s/e of lamotrigine

Answer 4

rash (SJS)

Question 5

s/e of SSRI

Answer 5

nausea
low libido 
withdrawal 
insomnia 
hyponatraemia

Question 6

s/e of TCAs

Answer 6

anti-cholinergic effects: dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth, flushed skin, urinary retention
arrhythmias

Question 7

s/e of MAOIs

Answer 7

3H’s
hypertension
hepatocellular jaundice
hyperthermia

Question 8

s/e of ACEi

Answer 8

dry cough
postural hypotension
renal failure in renal artery stenosis (check U&Es 2w before starting)
hyperkalaemia

Question 9

s/e of B-blocker

Answer 9

diabetes risk
impotence
cold hands and feet

Question 10

s/e of all diuretics

Answer 10

dehydration
hyperuricaemia 
hypokalaemia (except K sparing) 
hyponatraemia 
hypomagnesaemia

Question 11

s/e of loop diuretics

Answer 11

hypocalcaemia

Question 12

s/e of thiazide diuretics

Answer 12

hypercalcaemia

Question 13

s/e of sulfasalazine

Answer 13

myelosuppression 
oligospermia 
hepatitis 
rashes 
renal problems 
discoloured urine

Question 14

s/e of gold

Answer 14

skin discolouration 
nephrotic sydnroem 
myelosuppression 
eryhtroderma 
thrombocytopenia

Question 15

s/e of penicillamine

Answer 15

nephrotic syndrome

myelosuppression

Question 16

s/e of chloroqine

Answer 16

retinopahty
tinnitus
myopathy

Question 17

s/e of TNF antagonists

Answer 17

infection - TB reactivation

autoimmune reactions

Question 18

s/e of cyclophosphamide

Answer 18

haemorrhagic cystitis
myelosuppression
alopecia

Question 19

s/e of chlorpromazine

Answer 19

cholestatic jaundice

Question 20

s/e of haloperidol

Answer 20

prolonged QT interval

Question 21

s/e of amiodarone

Answer 21

thyroiditis 
pulmoanry fibrosis 
peripheral neuropathy 
myopathy 
blue-grey skin pigmentation 
hepatitis 
metallic taste int mouth

Question 22

digoxin toxicity

Answer 22

yellow vision
GI distress
any arrhythmia

Question 23

s/e of adenosinw

Answer 23

flushing

sense of impending doom

Question 24

drugs causing hypokalaemi

Answer 24

salbutamol
insulin
diuretics
caffeine/theophylline

Question 25

drugs causing hypercalcaemia

Answer 25

thiazide diuretics

Question 26

drugs causing acute interstitial nephritis

Answer 26

NSAIDs

penicillins/cephalosporins

Question 27

drugs causing acute tubular necrosis

Answer 27

lithium
contrast
gentamicin
amphotericin B

Question 28

main drug class causing photosensitivity

Answer 28

tetracyclines

Question 29

drugs causing gynaecomastia

Answer 29

‘DISCO MTV’

Digoxin 
Isoniazid 
Spironolactone 
Cimetidine 
Oestrogens 
Methyldopa
TCAs
Verapamil

Question 30

s/e of lithium

Answer 30

diarrhoea
hypothyroidism
diabetes insipidus
worsens psoriasis

Question 31

signs of lithium toxicity

Answer 31

tremor/ataxia/dysarthria -

leading to convulsions, coma and hypotension