Common SEs (2) of ACE inhibitors
- Cough
- Hyperkalaemia
Common SEs (4) of bendroflumethiazide
- Gout
- Hypokalaemia
- Hyponatraemia
- Impaired glucose tolerance
Common SEs (3) of Calcium Channel Blocker
- Headache
- Flushing
- Ankle oedema
Common SEs (3) of beta-blockers
- Bronchospasm (especially in asthmatics)
- Fatigue
- Cold peripheries
*erectile dysfunction
Common SE (1) of Doxazosin
Postural hypotension
*Doxazosin = alpha-blocker used for BPH or hypertension
Drugs prolonging Q-T interval
- amiodarone, sotalol, class 1a antiarrhythmic drugs
- tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (especially citalopram)
- methadone
- chloroquine
- terfenadine
- erythromycin
- haloperidol
- ondanestron
Drugs exacerbating psoriasis (5)
- Lithium
- B-blockers
- anti-malarials
- NSAIDs
- withdrawal of corticosteroids
Which of these drugs have interaction with chloramphenicol eye drops?
- Gliclazide
- Metformin
- Methotrexate
- Aspirin
- Chloramphenicol should not be prescribed with any other potentially bone marrow suppressing drugs (especially with Methotrexate)
- Co-trimoxazole and trimethoprim should similarly be avoided due to the increased risk of methotrexate toxicity and potential pancytopenia
Can we give nitrates in aortic stenosis?
Nitrates are contraindicated in aortic stenosis
- this is due to theoretical risk of profound hypotension
- GTN spray and isosorbide dinitrate are both nitrates
What can Penicillamine cause in a patient with Wilson’s disease?
Membranous Glomerulonephritis
What electrolyte abnormality can suxamethonium cause?
Suxamethonium - neuromuscular block
It may cause hyperkalaemia (especially in burns/trauma patients)
Which disease is a contradiction to the use of diclofenac?
Any cardiovascular disease
- NSAIDs may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events
- Diclofenac associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with other NSAIDs
It is therefore advised that diclofenac is contraindicated in patients with the following:
- ischaemic heart disease
- peripheral arterial disease
- cerebrovascular disease
- congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association classification II-IV)
Patients should be switched from diclofenac to other NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen
This advice does not apply to topical diclofenac.
What to check before starting Azathioprine?
- Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) test → to look for individuals prone to azathioprine toxicity
- Deficiency of TPMT predisposes to pancytopenia
Extra info re to Azathioprine:
SEs
- bone marrow depression
- nausea/vomiting
- pancreatitis
- increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer
A significant interaction may occur with allopurinol and hence lower doses of azathioprine should be used.
