DMARD Side Effects Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?
Folate antagonist
What are the main side effects of methotrexate?
Myelosuppresion
Pneumonitis
Hepatotoxicity
Leucopenia
Methotrexate is teratogenic, what advice should be given to patients who wish to conceive but take methotrextate?
Stop taking methotrexate 3 months prior to conception
What type of drug is sulfasalazine?
Aminosalicylate
What are the main side effects of sulfasalazine?
Rash Oligospermia Hepatitis Severe depression GI upset
What are the main side effects of hydroxychloroquine?
Corneal deposits
Retinopathy
Haemolytic anaemia
Side effects of Leflunomide?
Interstitial lung disease Liver toxicity Hypertension Alopecia Eczema Teratogenic
Side effects of gold?
Proteinuria
Peripheral neuropathy
What are the side effects of penicillamine?
Rash (pseudoxanthoma elasticum) Aggravation of myasthenia gravis Goodpasture syndrome (anti-GBM) Proteinuria Glomerulonephritis
What are the main side effects of azathioprine?
Bone marrow suppression Acute pancreatitis Teratogenic Neutropenia Infection
What drug should not be co-prescribed with azathioprine and why?
Allopurinol
Combination causes severe bone marrow suppression
What drug should not be co-prescribed with methotrexate and why?
Trimethoprim
Both are folate antagonists and can cause severe bone marrow suppression
What is the action of ciclosporin?
Cytotoxic T cell inhibitor
What are the main side effects of ciclosporin?
Immune suppression
Nephrotoxicity
Hypertension
Hepatotoxicity
What are the main side effects of prednisolone?
Osteoporosis Impaired glucose tolerance --> diabetes mellitus Cushingoid features e.g. central obesity Hypertension Cataracts Glaucoma Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
