OA + RA

Question 1

What are the other drugs used for osteoporosis besides bisphosphonates and SERMs?

Answer 1

Calcitonin, Cinacalcet, Denosumab, Teriparatide

Question 2

What is the source of calcitonin?

Answer 2

Secreted by the thyroid gland

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of calcitonin?

Answer 3

Decreases bone resorption and increases urinary calcium excretion; lowers serum calcium

Question 4

What conditions is calcitonin used to treat?

Answer 4

Osteoporosis, Paget disease, hypercalcemia

Question 5

What is calcitonin’s relationship to vitamin D and PTH?

Answer 5

It is considered their “enemy”—it opposes their effects

Question 6

What is the role of Cinacalcet (Sensipar)?

Answer 6

Mimics calcium to suppress PTH secretion, lowering calcium levels

Question 7

What conditions is Cinacalcet used for?

Answer 7

Hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism

Question 8

What are adverse effects of Cinacalcet?

Answer 8

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypocalcemia

Question 9

What is Denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva) used for?

Answer 9

Osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women, bone loss from cancer therapy, bone metastases

Question 10

What are the adverse effects of Denosumab?

Answer 10

Hypocalcemia, serious infections, dermatologic reactions, osteonecrosis of the jaw

Question 11

What type of drug is Teriparatide (Forteo)?

Answer 11

A recombinant form of human parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Question 12

What is unique about Teriparatide’s action?

Answer 12

It’s the only drug that increases bone formation

Question 13

Who is Teriparatide indicated for?

Answer 13

Men, postmenopausal women, and those with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Question 14

What are adverse effects of Teriparatide?

Answer 14

Nausea, headache, back pain, leg cramps

Question 15

What is osteoarthritis (OA)?

Answer 15

A progressive degenerative joint disease caused by breakdown of articular cartilage

Question 16

What are some joint changes in OA?

Answer 16

Thinning cartilage, bone spurs/cysts, inflamed synovial membrane

Question 17

What are symptoms of OA?

Answer 17

Pain, stiffness, paresthesias, decreased ROM

Question 18

What are nonpharmacologic treatments for OA?

Answer 18

Walking, nonimpact aerobics, passive ROM exercises

Question 19

What are pharmacologic options for OA?

Answer 19

Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, intra-articular corticosteroids, hyaluronate sodium, topical meds like capsaicin, Bengay

Question 20

What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Answer 20

A chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation and deformity

Question 21

What happens pathophysiologically in RA?

Answer 21

Rheumatoid factors and leukocytes attack synovial membranes

Question 22

How does RA differ from OA?

Answer 22

RA is autoimmune and systemic; OA is mechanical and localized

Question 23

Who is more likely to get RA?

Answer 23

Women (3–5x more likely than men)

Question 24

What are nonpharmacologic therapies for RA?

Answer 24

ROM and strengthening exercises, psychological counseling

Question 25

What is the first-line pharmacologic therapy for RA?

Answer 25

NSAIDs

Question 26

Why isn’t acetaminophen ideal for RA?

Answer 26

It lacks anti-inflammatory properties

Question 27

What other drug classes are used in RA management?

Answer 27

Corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)