Pharmacology Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the first line treatments for osteporosis?
- bisphosphonates, Denosumab, SERMs (raloxifene), hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), and strontium ranelate
Which drugs are anti-resportive in nature? Anabolic/bone-forming? Which have a dual action?
- anti-resorptive: bisphosphanates, Denosumab, HRT, raloxifene (SERM), Odanacatib
- bone-forming: teriparatide (synthetic PTH)
- dual action: strontium ranelate
Bisphosphanates
- “-dronate” (etidronate, aldendronate, risedronate)
- anti-resportive drugs used to treat osteoporosis and paget disease
- MOA: the drug gets taken up in large amounts and is stored in bone; when osteoclasts come in contact with the drug, they undergo apoptosis
- etidronate (older form): resembles PPi and generates cytotoxic ATP
- aldendronate/risendronate (newer form): much more potent; contains nitrogen and interferes with protein trafficking
- side effects: esophageal irritation, dyspepsia, heartburn, nausea (these are swallowed), osteonecrosis of the jaw
Zolderonic Acid
- an IV form of bisphosphanates
- avoid the side effects of the oral forms, but has its own side effects: flu-like symptoms and osteonecrosis of the jaw)
Denosumab
- an anti-resorptive drug used to treat osteoporosis
- MOA: monoclonal antibody against RANKL; prevents osteoclast activation
- side effects: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and lips, osteonecrosis of the jaw
Teriparatide
- synthetic PTH; a bone-forming drug used to treat osteoporosis
- MOA: PTH analog; in small, intermittent doses, it promotes osteoblast activity without activating osteoclasts
- side effects: if used too long, osteoclast activation will dominate; increased risk for osteosarcoma if used longer than 18 months
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- anti-resorptive drugs used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women
- estrogen is re-introduced to the body, increasing it protective effects against bone loss
- side effects: increased risk for CAD, thromboembolism, and breast cancer
Raloxifene (a SERM)
- SERM: selective estrogen receptor modulator; an anti-resorptive drug used to treat osteoporosis in women
- MOA: acts like estrogen, but for specific bone receptors only, thus avoiding the increased risk of breast cancer seen with HRT
- only works on the vertebrae
- side effects: venous thromboembolism and CAD
Strontium Ranelate
- a drug used to treat osteoporosis
- MOA: stimulates osteoblast activity and induces osteoclast apoptosis
Odanacatib
- an anti-resorptive drug used to treat osteoporosis
- MOA: inhibits cathepsin (the enzyme used by osteoclasts to degrade the organic component of bone matrix)
” -dronate “
- bisphosphanate
What treatments are available for rheumatoid arthritis?
- analgesics for pain
- NSAIDs for pain and stiffness and some anti-inflammation
- corticosteroids for anti-inflammation
- DMARDs and biological agents (TNF inhibitors) for anti-inflammation (these are the mainstay of treatment)
NSAIDs
- reverse inhibition of cyclooxygenase (both COX-1 and COX-2) blocks prostaglandin synthesis to provide an analgesic and anti-inflammatory action
- used to provide relief in rheumatoid arthritis, gout, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, etc.
- often given with PPIs as prophylaxis for gastric ulcers
- (the NSAID Indomethacin is given to close PDA!)
Aspirin
- irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (both COX-1 and COX-2) to block prostaglandin synthesis; a type of NSAID
- in small doses: decreased platelet aggregation
- in intermediate doses: anti-pyretic and analgesic
- in high doses: anti-inflammatory
DMARDs
- disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
- the mainstay of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
- Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, Leflunomide
- alleviate inflammation to greatly improve joint function
Methotrexate
- the most effective DMARD (used for RA and chron disease)
- MOA: an anti-metabolite that blocks dihydrofolate reductase to inhibit the production of thymidine (a pyrimidine) from folic acid, which is needed for DNA synthesis; an anti-folate (inhibits nucleotide synthesis)
- side effects: teratogenic, GIT issues
- patients often take supplemental folic acid to help reduce the GIT side effects
Sulfasalazine
- a DMARD that works well for moderate rheumatoid arthritis
- side effects: Stevens-Johnson syndrome if allergic to sulfonamides
Hydroxychloroquine
- a very mild DMARD used for mild disease
- MOA: binds to DNA to inhibit lymphocyte function
- originally developed for malaria
- is commonly used in conjunction with Methotrexate for synergistic effect
Leflunomide
- a new DMARD, nearly as good as Methotrexate
- inhibits IL-2 production to provide anti-inflammatory action (interferes with nucleotide synthesis by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase
Corticosteroids
- a powerful immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory
- inhibit phospholipase A2 (the pre-cursor of arachidonic acid) by inducing transcription of lipocortin (inhibits phospholipase A2)
- good for short term medication, but prolonged use has serious contraindications (osteoporosis, diabetes, cushings)
Biological Agents
- “bDMARDS,” “bioDMARDS”
- these are TNF-alpha inhibitors used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, and spondyloarthropathy
- Etanercept: a decoy receptor for TNF (subcutaneous injection)
- Infliximab and Adalimumab: monoclonal Ab against TNF (IV)
- side-effects: infection, reactivation of latent TB
Which combo therapies are used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are not responding to monotherapy with Methotrexate?
- try MTX + SSZ or HCQ
- then try MTX + SSZ + HCQ
- then try MTX + LEF
- then try MTX + CYC
- then try MTX + bDMARDS
- (MTX = methotrexate, SSZ = sulfasalazine, HCQ = hydroxychloroquine, LEF = leflunomide, CYC = cyclosporin, bDMARDS = biologics)
Which drugs do we treat ankylosing spondylitis with?
- NSAIDs and biological agents (bDMARDs, TNF inhibitors)
- regular DMARDs do not work so well
How do we treat an acute bout of gout?
- NSAIDs for pain and some anti-inflammation
- Colchicine for pain and anti-inflammation
- corticosteroids (aspirate the joint and inject intra-articular corticosteroids, can also be oral or intra-muscular)
- biologic agents have no significant effect