Top 100 Drugs Flashcards
(780 cards)
What are the indications of Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine)? (3)
Antidote for paracetamol poisoning
Help prevent renal injury due to radiographic contrast material (contrast nephropathy)
To reduce viscosity of respiratory secretions.
How does Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) prevent liver damage in paracetamol overdose?
Replenishing the body’s supply of glutathione
What are important adverse effects of Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine)?
Can cause an anaphylactoid reaction (histamine release independent of IgE antibosies).
Can cause bronchospasm.
What should be given with Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) to lower the risk of bronchospasm?
A bronchodilator e.g. Salbutamol beforehand.
What dose of Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) is given in paracetamol poisoning?
Weight-adjusted dose, IV infusion over 21 hours (see BNF)
(Follow BNF/local protocols for dosing for each indication)
What information regarding Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) should you communicate to the patient? (3)
Effective at preventing liver damage if given w/i 8 hours of overdose.
Will take 21 hours to administer
May cause an anaphylactoid reaction.
How should treatment with Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) be monitored?
For signs of anaphylactoid reaction
INR, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and creatinine concerntration to assess liver function (INF most sensitive)
What are the indications for activated charcoal? (2)
Reduce absorption of certain poisons (including some drug overdoses)
Increase elimintaion of certain poisons.
What is the mechanism of activated charcoal?
Molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of the charcoal, reducing their absorption into the circulation.
Can increase elimination in multiple doses.
What poisons does Activated Charcoal adsorb effectively and which are not adsorbed effectively?
Effective: Weaky ionic hydrophobic: benzodiazepines, methotrexate.
Ineffective: Alcohols, litium, iron
What are the adverse effects of activated charcoal?
Most common: black stools, vomitting
Serious: pneumonitis, bronchospasm and airway obstruction if aspirated. Can cause intestinal obstruction.
How can the common adverse effects of activated charcoal be managed?
Co-prescribing of a laxative and antiemetic (for vomiting and potential obstruction).
If they have vomited prior to presentation an antiemetic can also help it remain in the gastric tract though it should be avoided if they are actively vomitting.
In what patients in activated charcoal contraindicated?
Warning: Reduced consciousness (increased risk aspiration)
Warning: Presistent vomiting (increased risk aspiration)
Warning: Reduced GI motility, increased risk of obstruction.
What are the important interactions of activated charcoal?
Prevents absorrption of drugs taken theraputically as well as in overdose.
What is the dose of activated charcoal?
Single dose for patients presenting within 1 hours of ingestion of substance absorbed by charcoal or 2 hours with drugs that delay gastric emptying (e.g. aspirin, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants).
Once only prescription of 50g orally
Or 50g 4- hourly for multiple doses.
What are the indications for Adenosine?
First-line diagnostic and theraputic agent in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
What is the mechanism of Adenosine?
Agonist of adenosine receptors on cell surfaces, in the heart reduces the frequency of spontaneous depolarisations and increases resistance to depolarisation.
Slows the sinus rate, conduction velocity and increases AV node refractoriness.
This breaks re-entry circuits and allows normal depolarissations from the SA node to resume control of heat rate (cardioversion).
Note: where the circuit does not involve the AV node, e.g. in atrial flutter, adenosine will not induce cardioversion but may assit in diagnosis.
What are the potential adverse effects of adenosine?
Can induce bradycardia and/or asystole
Feels unpleasant for the patient: sinking feeling in the chest, breathlessness and sense of impending doom.
What are the contraindications and warnings of adenosine?
Contraindicated: (In patients who will not tolerate transient bradycardic effects): Hypotension, Coronary ischeamia, Decompensated heart failure.
Contrainidcated: (May cause bronchospasm); Asthma, COPD
Warning: Heart transplant
What are the interactions of adenosine?
Dipyridamole
Theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine
What is the dose and prescription of adenosine?
IV, once-only section
6mg IV (range 3-12mg on circumstances)
Adminstered by senior with resuscitation facilities, proximal large-bore cannula with flush.
What should be communicated to the patient with Adenosine?
‘Reset’ heart to normal rhythm.
Will briefly feel terrible for about 30 seconds.
How is adenosine monitored?
Close monitoring with continuous cardiac rhythm strip.
What are the indications for Adrenaline (epinephrine)? (3)
Cardiac arrest as part of ALS treatment algorithm
Anaphylaxis
(Into tissue to induce local vasoconstriction and reduce bleeding)
(Sometimes mixed with local anaesthetic drugs e.g. lidocaine to prolong local anaesthesia)