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Transcript
Back-to-Basics
Practical Pharmacology
Marc Riachi, R.Ph.
March 28, 2012 (4:00-5:30) Amph E
March 30, 2012 (4:00-5:30) Amph D
April 2, 2012 (4:00-5:30) Amph A
April 5, 2012 (4:00-5:30) Amph E
University of Ottawa
Topics to be covered in this lecture
■
Antiplatelets and
anticoagulants
■
Antiasthmatics
■
BPH
■
Erectile dysfunction
■
Dementia
■
Parkinson’s disease and
schizophrenia
Antidepressants
■
Dyspepsia, GERD and PUD
■
Antianxiety agents
■
Antiemetics
■
Agents for insomnia
■
IBD
■
Antidiabetics
■
IBS
■
Antilipemics
■
Osteoporosis
■
Antihypertensives
■
Gout
■
Diuretics
■
OTC drugs
■
Nitrates
■
Appendix I & II
■
Antibacterials
■
Antimycobacterials
■
Antifungals
■
Narcotic analgesics
■
Autonomic nervous system
■
Anti seizure drugs
■
Migraines
■
Antibacterial families and their
members
■
Penicillins: penicillin, cloxacillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin
■
Cephalosporins: all the agents starting with “Ceph-” or “Cef-”: don’t cover atypicals
or enterococcus
■
Fluoroquinolones: cipro-, nor-, o-, levo-, and moxi-floxacin. Di-, tri-, or polyvalent
cations reduce absorption of FQ’s
■
Aminoglycosides: gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin
■
Macrolides: erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin. E and C inhibit CYP3A4; A
much less so.
■
Tetracyclines: tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline. Di-, tri-, or polyvalent cations
reduce absorption. Phototoxicity rxns.
■
Sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim, trimethoprim
■
Clindamycin, metronidazole
■
Vancomycin
■
Nitrofurantoin: for UTI’s only. Avoid if CrCl < 50 ml/min.
Antibacterials-Site of action
Bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic
Usually bactericidal ABX
Usually bacteriostatic ABX
■ Aminoglycosides
■ Tetracyclines
■ Fluoroquinolones
■ Macrolides
■ Penicillins
■ SMX
■ Cephalosporins
■ TMP
■ Nitrofurantoin
■ clindamycin
■ metronidazole
■ SMX+TMP
Bactericidal ABX are preferred when:
• Host defences are poor
• Infection involves heart, CNS, blood
Better not to combine with bacteriostatic
ABX because for bactericidals to work well
they require bacterial cells to be actively
growing and dividing.
Bacteriostatic ABX give the immune
system enough time to clear the offending
organism. Therefore it is important to dose
those ABX long enough. They also require
a healthy immune system.
Penicillins
Develop agent vs
BL’ase producing
staph (MSSA)
Pen V/G: covers
G+ (strep), oral anarobes, T. Pallidum
(Lacks efficacy vs BL’ase,
B. fragilis, G-, atypicals)
Develop agent vs Enterococcus and
“easy to kill” G- (no resistance to BL’ase)
Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Cloxacillin
Add resistance to BL’ase,
cover MSSA and B. fragilis
Easy to kill G- bacteria: non-BL’ase
H. Flu, P. mirabilis, salmonella,
shigella, E. coli
Hard to kill G- bacteria: klebsiella,
enterobacter, citrobacter, serratia,
morganella, pseudomonas,
providencia
Amoxicillin + clavulanate
(Clavulin),
Ampicillin + sulbactam
Cover “hard to kill” G-
Piperacillin
Oral penicillin is called Pen VK.
Injectable penicillin is available as the
long acting benzathine penicillin or the
short acting benzylpenicillin (aka, pen
G)
Add resistance to BL’ase
Piperacillin/tazobactam
(Tazocin),
ticarcillin/clavulanate
(Timentin)
Cephalosporins
Develop agent vs BL’ase
producing staph (MSSA) and
“easy to kill” non-BL’ase G-
Pen V/G: covers
G+ (strep), oral anarobes, T. pallidum
(Lacks efficacy vs BL’ase,
B. fragilis, G-, atypicals)
Add activity vs B. fragilis,
and “easy to kill” G-
1st gen Cephs:
cephalexin,
cefadroxil,
cefazolin
Cefoxitin
Add resistance to “easy to kill”
BL’ase G- & B. frag, loss of some
G+ coverage
None are effective against enterococcus, L.
monocytogenes, MRSA
2nd gen Cephs:
cefuroxime (Ceftin),
cefaclor, cefprozil
Cefixime (Suprax) is the only oral 3rd gen ceph.
Useful for out of hospital po treatment.
Add activity vs “hard to kill” G-, reduce
staph coverage, retain strep coverage,
loss of B. frag coverage
3rd gen Cephs:
cefotaxime (Claforan),
ceftriaxone (Rocephin),
cefixime (Suprax),
ceftazidime (Fortaz)
Add activity vs
pseudomonas
ceftazidime,
cefepime (Maxipime;
4th generation; also
active vs. strep)
Pen V/G: covers
G+ (strep), oral anarobes, T. Pallidum
(Lacks efficacy vs BL’ase,
B. fragilis, G-, atypicals)
Fluoroquinolones &
Aminoglycosides
Develop agent vs G(including pseudomonas)
Aminoglycosides
Eg: gentamicin,
amikacin,
tobramycin
Add activity to BL’ase
producing G+
2nd gen
Fluoroquinolones
Eg: ciprofloxacin,
ofloxacin
Don’t cover strep well. Ofloxacin does
not cover strep or pseudomonas well
Add coverage to atypicals and
expand G+ coverage; retain some
pseudomonal coverage
3rd gen FQ’s
Eg: levofloxacin
(Levaquin)
Add activity vs anarobes
(B. fragilis)
4th gen FQ’s
Eg: moxifloxacin
(Avelox)
Macrolides,
Tetracyclines
Pen V/G: covers
G+ (strep), oral anarobes, T. Pallidum
(Lacks efficacy vs BL’ase,
B. fragilis, G-, atypicals)
TMP/SMX
Develop agents Vs
common G+, common
G-, atypicals, unusual or
non-bacterial organisms
Macrolides
(erythro-,
clarithro, and
azithromycin),
Tetracyclines
(tetra-, doxy- and
minocycline),
TMP/SMX
(Septra)
TMP/SMX does not cover atypicals
but it may cover community acquired
MRSA
Vancomycin,
metronidazole,
clindamycin
Pen V/G: covers
G+ (strep), oral anarobes, T. Pallidum
(Lacks efficacy vs BL’ase,
B. fragilis, G-, atypicals)
Develop agent Vs B.
fragilis and other
anaerobes
Develop agent vs Staph
Epidermidis and MRSA
Metronidazole
Vancomycin
Add coverage for MSSA and
community acquired MRSA
Clindamycin
Note:
Vancomycin is used PO in the
treatment of C. difficile infections
Commonly prescribed ABX in the community setting
■
Oral infections: penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, cephalexin
■
UTI: ciprofloxacin, SMX/TMP, nitrofurantoin
■
RTI’s, sinusitis: clarithromycin, azithromycin, 2nd or 3rd gen Cephs, amoxi/clav, levo/moxifloxacin
■
Skin/nail/bites: cephalexin, cloxacillin, amoxi/clav
■
Travellers’ diarrhea: azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin
■
H. pylori: amoxi+clarithromycin, metronidazole+clarithromycin,
tetracycline+metronidazole
■
Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis: metronidazole, clindamycin
■
Chlamydia: single dose azithromycin, 7-day course doxycycline, ofloxacin
■
Gonorrhea: cefixime, ceftriaxone
■
Acne: tetracyclines, erythromycin
■
Acute otitis media: Macrolides, amoxicillin, amoxi/clav, 2nd gen Cephs
■
Patients with penicillin allergy: clindamycin or erythromycin (choice depends on
indication) are useful
■
Intraabdominal infections: ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, 3rd gen Cephs
■
C. difficile diarrhea: metronidazole, vancomycin
■
MRSA-CA: high dose SMX+TMP, doxycycline, clindamycin
Antibiotics contraindicated in pregnancy
(category X)
■
Tetracyclines (also in children < 9 y.o.): are incorporated into fetal
skeleton/unerupted teeth
■
Fluoroquinolones
■
Erythromycin estolate (may cause toxic liver reaction), clarithromycin
■
TMP: in 1st trimester because it is a folate antagonist
■
Sulfonamides: last trimester or if delivery is imminent because they interfere
with the bile conjugating mechanism of the neonate and may displace bilirubin
bound to albumin which may lead to jaundice and kernicterus
■
Nitrofurantoin (during labor and delivery only): can affect glutathione
reductase activity and hence can cause hemolytic anemia (analogous to the
problems it causes in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
deficiency) and hemolytic crises have been documented in newborns and fetuses
■
Aminoglycosides: nephrotoxic and ototoxic to the fetus
■
High (>2 grams) single dose metronidazole
■
Chloramphenicol (at term or during labour): limited glucuronidating capacity of the
newborn’s liver
ABX generally regarded as safer options in
pregnancy
■
■
■
■
■
■
Penicillins, including those in combination
with ß-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid,
sulbactam, and tazobactam)
Cephalosporins
Erythromycin base
Azithromycin
Clindamycin
Metronidazole (regular dose 250-500 mg BID)
ABX and warfarin
■ All antibiotics have the theoretical potential to
increase INR
■ INR monitoring is not usually required when
using penicillins, cephalosporins,
azithromycin, aminoglycosides, clindamycin,
nitrofurantoin and vancomycin
Anti-TB agents
■ Organism has "waxy" hard to penetrate cell
wall
■ Slow growing (requires extended treatment
period)
■ Combinations of drugs needed to treat
■ Available agents have unpleasant side
effects leading to reduced compliance by
patient  contributes to the emergence of
resistant strains
Available antimycobacterials
■ First-line:
– Isoniazid (INH)
– Rifampin (RIF)
– Pyrazinamide (PZA)
– Ethambutol (ETB)
■ Second-line (for drug-resistant TB and M Avium-
Intracellulare):
– Amikacin
– Ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin/moxifloxacin
– Clarithromycin/azithromycin
Which agents to use in active disease?
■ Pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease:
– INH+RIF+PZA+ETB
■ If resistant to INH:
– RIF+PZA+ETB (+FQ if severe)
■ If resistant to RIF:
– INH+PZA+ETB+FQ
■ if resistant to INH and RIF:
– PZA+ETB+FQ+amikacin
■ If resistant to INH, RIF and PZA or ETB
– ETB (or PZA)+FQ+amikacin+two 2nd line agents
Drug info
■
■
INH (inhibits formation of fatty acids found in
the cell wall):
■
PZA (may inhibit mycobacterial
metabolism):
–
Bactericidal; penetrates cavitations
–
–
Hepatotoxicity (↑ with alcohol &
rifampin)  monitor LFTs
Bactericidal in acid environment (in
macrophages)
–
Hepatotoxicity (↑ with alcohol &
rifampin)  monitor LFTs
–
peripheral neuropathy (give vit B6)
–
GI symptoms, skin rash
–
Hyperuricemia  monitor uric acid
–
↑ phenytoin, carbamazepine &
benzodiazepine blood levels
–
GI symptoms and arthralgias
RIF (inhibits mRNA synthesis):
■
ETB (may inhibit cell wall synthesis):
–
Bacteriostatic
–
Bactericidal; penetrates cavitations
–
GI symptoms, hyperuricemia
–
Hepatotoxicity (↑ with alcohol) 
monitor LFTs
–
–
GI symptoms, skin rash
Ocular toxicity and change in
color perception  monitor at high
doses
–
Pancytopenia
–
Colours urine, feces, saliva, tears
orange  may permanently stain
contact lenses
–
Induces CYP450
Antifungals
■ Oral
– Itra- (Sporanox), flu- (Diflucan), vori-, posa- and
ketoconazole (Nizoral): active vs. yeast and
dermatophytes
– Terbinafine (Lamisil): active vs. yeast and dermatophytes
– Nystatin: active vs. yeast only
■ Topical
– Ciclopirox (cream, lacquer, shampoo), nystatin (cream,
pv, oral suspension), clotrimazole (cream, pv),
miconazole (cream, pv), ketoconazole (cream shampoo),
terbinafine (cream, spray), tolnaftate (powder  suitable
for skin folds)
■ Injectables: usually require infectious disease consult
Which agents to use?
■
Onychomycosis: oral terbinafine, oral itraconazole, ciclopirox lacquer
(use lacquer only for mild distal form; expensive)
■
Fungal skin: topical clotrimazole, topical miconazole, topical terbinafine,
topical ketoconazole. Nystatin is ineffective vs. dermatophytes. Candidal
skin infections respond to nystatin. Use topical azoles for tinea versicolor
(not terbinafine).
■
Seborrheic dermatitis: topical ciclopirox, ketoconazole
■
Oral candidiasis: Oral nystatin swish and swallow (not absorbed from GI
tract). Oral fluconazole.
■
Vulvovaginal candidiasis: topical azoles, po fluconazole one dose (now
available without a prescription), boric acid pv suppositories (very
irritative)
■
Diaper rash: Topical nystatin, clotrimazole, miconazole, or ketoconazole.
Drug info
■
Terbinafine po:
–
Very active vs dermatophytes
–
headache, GI diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain
–
taste disturbance (may persist post treatment)
–
CYP2D6 inhibitor:
●
●
■
Decreases formation of active metabolites of tamoxifen
May ↓ breakdown of TCA’s, fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine,
sertraline, tamsulosin, mirtazapine, haloperidol, some beta blockers
Azole antifungals po:
–
Itraconazole and ketoconazole particularly are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4
and so many drug interactions. Also hepatotoxic. Ketoconazole >
itraconazole > terbinafine wrt hepatic toxicity. Itra may worsen heart failure
symptoms. Ketoconazole is rarely used and is poorly tolerated; anorexia,
nausea, vomiting high doses, and effects sexual function/sex hormones and
steroidogenesis.
–
Fluconazole is considered a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4 and so less
clinically important drug interactions. Strong CYP2C9, 2C19 inhibitor. QT
prolongation with amiodarone, clarithromycin, TCA’s. Bioavailability of PO
similar to IV; use PO if possible.
Narcotic analgesics
■
Morphine is the prototype and the standard opiate
■
Treatment of moderate to severe pain
■
Neuropathic pain may respond to higher doses of opioids. Standard
treatment of this kind of pain is with antidepressants and anticonvulsants
■
All opioids have the same basic side effects:
– euphoria
– constipation
– N&V
– somnolence
– respiratory depression (especially important if patient is not awake)
– potential for addiction
– hypotension
– skin itchiness
– seizures
Classes of opioids
■
codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), morphine (Statex), oxycodone
(Percocet, OxyNEO (formerly Oxycontin)), hydrocodone (Hycodan,
Tussionex), and pentazocine (Talwin)
■
meperidine (Demerol) and fentanyl (Duragesic)
■
Methadone (Metadol)
■
If truly allergic to codeine (anaphylaxis), may consider an opioid from a
different class such as:
– meperidine
– fentanyl (Warning: not for narcotic naive or narcotic inexperienced
patients)
– methadone (not every physician is licensed to prescribe it. Usually
reserved for severe pain)
– all opioids have the potential to cause skin itchiness which is not
considered an allergic reaction
– in all cases, monitor patient for possible cross-allergic reactions
General notes
■
Considered to not have a “ceiling dose” but new evidence and
current guidelines are challenging this
■ There definitely a “ceiling dose” when combined with other
analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) in the same dosage form
■
“Contin” in the name of the medication means that the drug lasts 8
to 12 hours and therefore is dosed q8-12h
■ If the Contin wears off before the 8 to 12 hours have passed, the
dose (NOT the dosing frequency) should be increased
■ Most patients are able to tolerate very high doses if the dose is
increased slowly
■
fentanyl and hydromorphone are the opioids of choice for use in
renal or hepatic impairment. Use codeine, morphine, or oxycodone
with caution in these patients
■
Most opioids are either contraindicated or not recommended for use
with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Examples of prescription opioids
■ Codeine:
– converted to the active metabolite morphine by CYP2D6
– some Caucasian, Asians, and Arabs have poorly functioning
CYP2D6 while others may have more efficient CYP2D6
– CYP2D6 inhibitors: bupropion, duloxetine, paroxetine,
moclobemide, escitalopram, fluoxetine, citalopram, quinidine,
terbinafine
– CYP2D6 inducers: rifampin, dexamethasone
■
Morphine:
– The metabolite morphine-3-glucuronide may build up in elderly and in
those with renal insufficiency causing myoclonus and interfering with
analgesia
■
Oxycodone:
– Highly abused and dealt on the streets
■
Hydromorphone
Examples cont…
■
Fentanyl: many street names including “China White”, “Apache”, “Dance fever”
– Patch: worn continuously for 72 hours. In some patients for 48 hours.
– Should not be prescribed to narcotic-naïve patients
– Rate of drug reaching the circulation is directly proportional to body temperature
●
patients should treat fever and should avoid exposure to heating pads, sunbathing, hot showers,
saunas, vigorous exercise, etc…
– Patients with low fat tissue mass may need lower doses than those recommended by conversion
tables
– May take up to 24 hours to attain adequate and stable blood levels and pain control
– Drug may still leech into circulation from fat depot even after patch is removed
– Gel patch should not be cut
– Fentanyl is metabolized by CYP3A4 and therefore should monitor patients carefully if they receive
CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., azole antifungals, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir) or inducers
(rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St. John’s Wort)
■
Methadone:
– Last resort for pain control
– Dosed Q4-8H for pain control
– Dosed QD for management of opioid dependence
– Physician has to apply for and be granted permission to prescribe methadone from the federal office of
controlled substances
●
Having authority to prescribe methadone for pain ≠ authority to prescribe as part of methadone
maintenance program (MMT) for opioid/heroin dependence and vice versa
– Produces less euphoria than heroin.
– Patients start off by drinking methadone dose daily at the pharmacy
●
If urine tests show no use of illicit drugs, patient may be allowed by prescriber to “carry” some
doses home for convenience
– Pharmacist has the authority to deny patient his/her methadone dose if patient shows s/sx of
intoxication
Examples cont…
■
Hydrocodone: mainly used as anti-tussive
■
Meperidine:
– 10 times less potent than morphine with shorter duration of action
– Should only be used for acute pain
– Contraindicated for treatment of chronic pain
– Risk of accumulation of toxic metabolite normeperidine which could lead to anxiety,
tremors, myoclonus, seizures with repeated doses
– Limit its use to less than a day or two
– Not useful for cough or diarrhea
■
Tramadol: Parent compound and its metabolite bind to mu receptors AND inhibit reuptake
of serotonin and NE. Contraindicated with MAOIs and may cause seizures if mixed with
SRIs. Only partially antagonized by the opiate antagonist naloxone. Laws for prescribing
narcotics do not apply to tramadol, i.e., tramadol can be refilled.
■
Pentazocine:
– Brand name = Talwin
– Mixed agonist-antagonist at mu receptor and therefore has “ceiling dose”
– Exceeding maximum dose does not give added benefit
– May cause withdrawal symptoms if given to patients taking pure agonists such as
morphine, etc…
– Causes hallucinations, confusion and vivid dreams which renders it as an unacceptable
option in most patients
– Absolute contraindication in chronic pain
Other uses of opioids
■ Diarrhea
– Lomotil (diphenoxylate + atropine)
■ Cough suppression
– Codeine
At least 15 mg per dose required
● Syrup is 5 mg/mL
– Hydrocodone
●
■ Opioid dependence
– Methadone
– Sublingual Suboxone (Buprenorphine + naloxone)
●
naloxone is an opioid antagonist but is not absorbed orally;
purpose is to deter patient from injecting Suboxone
Management of opioid side effects
■
Constipation
– Tolerance does not develop with repeated doses of opioid
– Stimulant laxatives:
●
senna 8.6 mg tabs: 2 to 12 tabs bid or hs
●
bisacodyl 5 mg tabs: 2 to 12 tabs bid or hs
– Cathartics such as 15 to 45 ml of milk of magnesia daily
– Osmotics such as 15 to 30 ml of lactulose qd to tid
– Oral naloxone or SQ methylnaltrexone (peripheral opioid
antagonists)
and in fact may compound the problem
and lead to impaction
Stool softeners such as docusate are generally not helpful and
may delay patient from getting proper laxative
– Fiber will not help
–
Management of opioid side effects cont…
■ Nausea & Vomiting
– Tolerance usually develops with repeated doses
– Seen mostly if the up-titration of dose is too rapid
– First, try reducing the dose of the opioid to minimize
–
–
–
–
fluctuation in blood levels
Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) 25 to 50 mg q4-6h
Metoclopramide or domperidone 10 to 40 mg qid
Prochlorperazine 5 to 10 mg q4-6h
If N/V persistent, consider switching to another opioid
Management of opioid side effects cont…
■
Respiratory depression
– Seen mostly if the up-titration of dose is too rapid or in case of
overdose
– Sudden, severe sedation often precedes respiratory depression
– Respiratory depression is due to decreased responsiveness of
respiratory center in brain stem to increases of Pco2
– Death from opioid poisoning is usually due to respiratory arrest
– Serious respiratory depression is managed by naloxone
injections
– From the LMCC exam objectives:
●
"Contrast respiratory depression caused by opioids to the
respiratory rate of six to eight breaths per minute of the dying
patient who is not receiving opioids (i.e., the respiratory
depression is not caused by opioids but is actually a natural
part of the dying process)."
Opioid prescriptions
■ The law prohibits adding refills for opioids
– Eg: OxyNEO 20 mg q12h x60 tabs + 2 refills 
pharmacist can only fill 60 tabs and the refills are
ignored
■ Prescriptions can be written as part-fills
– Eg: OxyNEO 20 mg q12h x180 tabs, dispense in
portions of 60 tabs every 30 days (indicating an
interval is not mandatory but strongly
recommended)
Autonomic nervous system pharmacology
ACh
Examples of useful cholinergic agonists &
antagonists
■ Nicotinic/muscarinic agonists:
– Direct: pilocarpine (glaucoma management; constricts pupil
allowing aqueous humor to leave eye), bethanechol (contracts
urinary bladder)
– Indirect (AChEIs): pyrido- and neostigmine (myasthenia gravis
management), rivastigmine (Exelon), donepezil (Aricept),
galantamine (Reminyl)
■ Nicotinic/muscarinic antagonists:
– Direct: atropine, oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol),
trospium (Trosec), solifenacin (Vesicare), darifenacin (Enables)
(inhibit contraction of urinary bladder; useful in urge
incontinence), ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
■ Nicotine at low doses and with short-term exposure is a nicotinic
agonists while at large doses and with long-term exposure
becomes nicotinic antagonist
NE, E and dopamine
Carbidopa -
Breakdown of NE and E
Selegiline
(MAO
type B
inhibitor)
Entacapone,
tolcapone
-
Examples of useful adrenergic agonists
and antagonists
■ Alpha receptor agonists:
– Phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, clonidine,
methyldopa, naphazoline
■ Alpha receptor antagonists:
– Terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, prazosin, alfuzosin
■ Beta receptor agonists:
– Dobutamine, isoproterenol, salbutamol, formoterol, salmeterol,
terbutaline
■ Beta receptor antagonists:
– All the beta blockers such as propranolol, metoprolol, etc…
Anti-seizure drugs
■ Conventional:
– carbamazepine, benzos, ethosuximide, phenobarbital,
phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid
■ Second Generation:
– gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam,
oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, topiramate, vigabatrin
■ Most are dosed at least BID
■ Most are started at a low dose and titrated up slowly
■ Phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid, gabapentin and
levetiracetam can be started with the loading or maintenance
doses
Mechanism of action
Some anti-seizure drugs prolong the inactivation of the Na+ channels,
thereby reducing the ability of neurons to fire at high frequencies.
Mechanism of action
Some anti-seizure drugs reduce the flow of Ca2+ through T-type Ca2+ channels
thus reducing the pacemaker current seen in generalized absence seizures.
Mechanism of action
GABA opens the GABA
receptor (structure on left)
allowing an influx of Clresulting in
hyperpolarization. Some
anti-seizure drugs act by
reducing the metabolism of
GABA. Others act at the
GABA receptor to enhance
Cl- influx in response to
GABA. Gabapentin
promotes GABA release.
Red structures are GABA
molecules; GABA-T =
GABA transaminase; GAT-1
= GABA transporter.
Practical info
■ 50% of patients achieve complete seizure control and
additional 25% experience reduced seizure frequency
■ Treat with AEDs until patient is seizure free for at least 2 years
then gradually decrease dose over months
■ New onset of nystagmus (except with PHT), ataxia and
unsteady wide gait signal intoxication
■ Phenytoin: small increases in dose may raise blood levels
dramatically due to saturation of hepatic enzyme clearance
■ Carbamazepine: induces its own hepatic breakdown  large
increases in dose result in small increases of blood levels
■ Don’t increase drug dose if patient is seizure free even if blood
drug levels are below therapeutic range
Practical info
■
Carbamazepine is chemically related to TCAs  D/C MAOIs 2 weeks before
starting CBZ
■
CYP inducers: CBZ, PHT, phenobarbital  ↓↓ LMT, TPM, effectiveness of
estrogen in oral contraceptive pills
■
CYP inhibitors: VPA
■
High protein binding: PHT, VPA
■
Renally eliminated AEDs: levetiracetam, gabapentin (not metabolized at all),
vigabatrin, topiramate (exhibits carbonic anhydrase inhibition and
hyperthermia)
■
Supplement women of child bearing age with folate if they are on VPA
■
CBZ and vigabatrin may worsen absence or myoclonic seizures
■
VPA is not the same as divalproex
■
Tolerance to clobazam can occur after 3-6 months  drug holiday required
■
Pseudoephedrine, gingko, meperidine, bupropion, antipsychotics may
exacerbate seizures
Migraine headaches
■
Acute attacks:
–
Antiemetics: can be useful analgesics. E.g., prochlorperazine,
metoclopramide or domperidone
–
NSAIDs: mild-moderate attacks. Need high doses. E.g., ibuprofen (max 3.2
g/day), naproxen (1.5 g/day)
–
Triptans: Nara-, riza-, suma-, zolmi-, ele-, almo- and frova-triptan
●
●
–
■
Serotonin receptor type 1 agonists; vasoconstrictors
For moderate-severe attacks; should be taken at earliest sign of pain; if
no partial or complete relief within 1-2 hours then do not redose
●
Not helpful in up to 40% of attacks; also high recurrence rate
●
Avoid these agents if patient has cardiac or cebreovascular disease
●
Decrease dose or avoid in hepatic impairement
●
Tightness of chest, neck or throat, facial flushing, tingling
●
Possible serotonin syndrome if taken with MAOI’s
before NSAID/triptan consider an antiemetic
Butorphanol nasal spray: narcotic; dependency potential. Reserve for rescue
treatment or when triptans ineffective or contraindicated
Antidepressants
■ Classified as:
– TCA’s: include amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine,
–
–
–
–
–
nortriptyline  desipramine and nortriptyline are most
tolerated
SSRI’s: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine,
fluvoxamine, sertraline
NDRI’s: bupropion
SNRI’s: venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine
Misc: trazodone, mirtazapine
MAOI’s:
● Irreversible: phenelzine, tranylcypromine
● Reversible: moclobemide
■
TCA=tricyclic antidepressant
■
NDRI=Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor
■
SNRI=serotonin and NE reuptake inhibitor
How to decide which agent to use?
■
Factors to consider include:
– TCA’s are less well tolerated (anticholinergic SE’s)
– Try to avoid TCA’s and MAOI’s in elderly
– Ingestion of 10 day supply of 200 mg TCA at once could be lethal
(avoid in patients with suicidal ideation)
– Use a sedating agent if patient also has insomnia (trazodone or
mirtazapine)
– Moclobemide and bupropion have lowest rates of sexual
dysfunction
– MAOI’s are usually reserved as last resort
– With atypical features of depression (over-eating, weight gain or oversleeping), use fluoxetine, sertraline, moclobemide
– If patient has OCD, use SSRI’s or clomipramine
– If hypertensive, avoid high dose venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine or
duloxetine
– If cardiac conduction abnormalities or dementia, avoid TCA’s
Dosage
■ Start low and increase dosage slowly until
optimal therapeutic dose is reached
■ Use lower doses in elderly and hepatic
dysfunction
When do you see a response?
■ Response could begin in the first 1-2 weeks but
would be optimal most probably after at least 3-4
weeks
■ If no response after 4 weeks, alter treatment in some
way (raise dose, switch to another agent, combine
two agents with different mechanisms of action)
■ Treat major depression for at least 9 months
■ To avoid relapse D/C therapy gradually and not
abruptly (venlafaxine is particularly difficult to
D/C).
Switching between agents
■ With most agents, there is no need for a washout
period
■ One option is to taper down one agent while tapering
up its replacement
■ If switching from an IRReversible MAOI to another
agent: 2 week washout of MAOI
■ If switching from a REversible MAOI to another
agent: 3 day washout
■ If switching from one agent to an MAOI: washout the
first agent for a period of 5 half-lives then start the
MAOI (fluoxetine has a very long half life ~ 1
week)
Side Effects
■
TCA’s: anticholinergic, sedation (tolerance usually develops after 12 weeks), weight gain, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, reflex
tachycardia, prolong conduction time of electrical current in
heart (avoid in heart block or MI), lower seizure threshold, sexual
dysfunction
■
SSRI’s: diarrhea, N/V, insomnia, sedation (especially with
fluvoxamine), headache, sexual dysfunction (especially with
paroxetine)
■
Irreversible MAOI’s: constipation, anticholinergic, drowsiness
(phenelzine), insomnia (tranylcypromine), orthostatic hypotension,
hypertensive crisis (occipital headache, stiff neck, N/V, high BP) if
combined with tyramine containing foods (aged cheese, cured
meats, broad been pods, sauerkraut, soy, tap beer)
■
Reversible MAOI: dry mouth, N, sedation, headache, dizziness. NO
FOOD RESTRICTION REQUIRED.
Side effects continued …
■ Venlafaxine (Effexor):
– Doses < 150 mg: behaves like an SSRI (N/V)
– Doses > 150 mg: additional NE reuptake
inhibition which may lead to hypertension
– Doses > 300 mg: additional weak DA reuptake
inhibition (it’s like adding low dose bupropion to
an SSRI)
– So, venlafaxine has the potential to inhibit the
reuptake of serotonin + NE + DA
– nausea, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue,
decreased appetite, somnolence or insomnia,
increased sweating
Side effects continued …
■ Trazodone (Desyrel): SEDATION, DRY mouth,
orthostatic hypotension, priapism (1 in 6000 male
patients)
■ Bupropion (Wellbutrin): stimulation (insomnia,
agitation), headache, higher risk of seizures if daily
dose > 450 mg or if >150 mg per single dose of the
SR version
– SR formulation is dosed BID (at least 8 hours
between the two doses)
– XL formulation is dosed QD
■ Mirtazapine (Remeron): SEDATION and WEIGHT
GAIN
More SNRI’s
■ Duloxetine (Cymbalta):
– Similar mechanism of action to venlafaxine, i.e.,
–
–
–
–
it is another SNRI
Also indicated for management of diabetic
peripheral neuropathy
Like venlafaxine, it may increase BP
May cause nausea, dry mouth, constipation,
fatigue, decreased appetite, somnolence or
insomnia, increased sweating
Twice the cost of venlafaxine but not more
effective for major depression
Final words
■ SSRI’s, bupropion, venlafaxine are usually
used as first line agents
■ Fluoxetine’s half life is 1-3 days after acute
administration up to 7 days after chronic
administration
■ Paroxetine is used off-label as an agent to
delay premature ejaculation
Medications for anxiety
■
■
■
Benzodiazepines:
■
For short term use/PRN
■
Rapid onset of action
Buspirone:
■
For long term use
■
Low abise potential and is less sedating than benzos
■
Up to 3 weeks for response
Antidepressants:
■
Example: escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine,
bupropion
■
For long term use
■
Up to 8 weeks for response
Benzodiazepines
■
Long acting: chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate, nitrazepam, diazepam,
flurazepam.
■
Intermediate acting: alprazolam, bromazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam,
temazepam
■
Toxicity is due to decreased respiratory rate and decreased LOC  often a
problem when prescribed with opioids
■
Can also cause cognitive/memory impairment, confusion, hallucinations,
worsening sleep apnea
■
Ethanol enhances toxicity
■
Doses should be tapered down gradually if patient has been using them
chronically
■
Can cause dependence; high potential for abuse
■
Lorazepam, oxazepam and temazepam (LOT) do not undergo hepatic
microsomal oxidation and therefore are best options for elderly patients
■
Any BZ can cause falls
■
Avoid BZ in dementia
Medications for insomnia
■ Benzodiazepines or their agonists are generally first line if
nonpharmacological treatment fails
■ BZ: flurazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam and triazolam are
officially indicated for treatment of insomnia
■ BZ agonist: zopiclone (Imovane) is officially indicated for
insomnia
■ Different medications are used to address the different types of
insomnia
■ Avoid triazolam since it is associated with behavioural changes
■ Flurazepam and nitrazepam have long half lives and accumulate
with repeated dosing; they also cause more pronounced
hangover effects
■ Triazolam and lorazepam may cause rebound insomnia
Oral hypoglycemics-site of action
AGI = alpha glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose), biguanides = metformin
Insulin secretagogues = sulfonylureas or meglitinides, TZD = pioglitazone or rosiglitazone
Oral antidiabetic agents
Agent
Sulfonylureas:
MOA
Avoid
Side Effects
Notes
stimulate
insulin
secretion
Severe hepatic
/renal dysfxn
- hypoglycemia (esp
glyburide) if elderly,
poor meal schedules,
- weight gain (esp
glyburide)
- nausea, anorexia
- take 30 min before a
meal
- Alcohol ↑ risk of
hypoglycemia
- β-blockers – mask
hypoglycemia cardiac Sx’s
Biguanides:
metformin
- Inhibits
gluconeogenesi
s
-↑ insulin
sensitivity
- Severe renal
impairment
- liver impaired
- heart failure
(emerging
data suggests
safe in HF)
- GI discomfort
- weight loss (mild)
- lactic acidosis (rare)
stop it before using
iodinated contrast
media
- B12 deficiency
- does not cause
hypoglycemia
- has ↓ lipid effect
α-glucosidase
Inhibitors:
acarbose
delays CHO
absorption
from GI tract
- severe renal
dysfunction/
liver cirrhosis
- IBD
- GI discomfort
- ↑ LFT’s – dose related
(rare)
- does not cause
hypoglycemia by itself
- ↓ digoxin levels
Thiazolidinedion
es:
Pioglitazone
Rosiglitazone
- PPAR-γ
receptor
agonist
- ↑ insulin
sensitivity
- caution in
HF
- Use with
insulin may
precipitate HF
- Class 3,4 HF
- weight gain
- edema
-Anemia
-↓ triglycerides
- 3 week onset, peak 812 weeks
-with or w/o food
-Should not cause
hypoglycemia if used alone
-Monitor LFT’s
Meglitinides:
Repaglinide
Nateglinide
Stimulate
insulin
production like
sulfonylureas
-hepatic
dysfunction
- weight gain
- Hypoglycemia less
than SU’s
-take immed. before
meals. Skip dose if meal
is missed.
glyburide
gliclazide
glimepiride
Relative duration of action of the various
insulins
Insulins

Rapid acting:
− Lispro, aspart, glulisine: use immediately before meals

Short acting:
− Regular insulin: inject up to 30 minutes before meals

Intermediate acting
− NPH: inject bid

Long acting:
− glargine (should never be mixed with any other insulin in same
syringe), insulin detemir: inject qd

*** insulin is the drug of choice for use in gestational diabetes.
Glyburide or metformin may also be used. ***

*** corticosteroids, atypical antipsychotics, thiazide diuretics, beta
blockers, cyclosporine, and protease inhibitors, all may cause
hyperglycemia ***
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and GLP1
agonists
■
Incretins (GLP-1 and GIP) are hormones released from intestinal cells in
response to ingestion of food
■
Incretins
– increase insulin synthesis
– decrease production of glucagon
– slow gastric emptying
– promote satiety
■
Type 2 diabetics have reduced post-prandial incretin levels
■
Incretins have a short life span because they are broken down by
dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) in circulation
■
Sitagliptin prolongs the life of incretin hormones by inhibiting the action of
DPP4 and increases endogenous GLP-1 and GIP levels
■
Exenatide is an injectable GLP-1 agonist
Mechanism of action of “gliptins”
Liraglutide
Food
ingestion
sitagliptin
GLP1 and
GIP from GI
cells
-
+
Increased insulin and
reduced glucagon
secretion from pancreas
DPP4
Inactive
incretins
Reduced hepatic
glucose production
and increased
glucose uptake by
adipose tissue and
skeletal muscles
Sitagliptin
■ Reduces HbA1C similarly to acarbose by about 0.5 to 0.8% on
average (metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones,
meglitinides reduce HbA1C by 1 to 1.5%)
■ Adverse effects include URTIs and GI upset
■ Since incretins stimulate insulin release in a glucose-dependent
manner, sitagliptin does not cause significant hypoglycemia
■ Advantages: dosed once daily, no weight gain, low risk of
hypoglycemia, does not appear to have significant drug-drug
interactions
■ Disadvantages: post-marketing reports of serious hypersensitivity
reactions, new class and therefore no known long term effects
(good or bad), expensive, reduces HbA1C less than other
established antidiabetics, requires functioning beta-cells capable
of producing insulin
Liraglutide
■ GLP-1 agonist
■ Reduces HbA1c by about 1%
■ Must be injected
■ Modest reduction in body weight
■ Nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis
Antilipemic agents
■ HMG Co A reductase inhibitors, aka, Statins: atorva-,
fluva-, lova-, prava-, rosuva-, and simvastatin.
■ Cholesterol absorption inhibitor: ezetimibe
■ Bile acid sequesterants, aka, resins: cholestyramine &
colestipol
■ Fibrates: gemfibrozil, beza- & fenofibrate
■ Nicotinic acid
■ Fish oils containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Cholesterol biosynthesis pathway
Statins
■ They reduce cholesterol mainly due to upregulation of LDL
receptors
■ S, A, and L are metabolized by CYP3A4
■ R is excreted by kidneys
■ R & S increase HDL the most
■ A, R & S reduce TG the most
■ All are dosed up to 80 mg qd but R and P are up to 40 mg
qd
■ SE’s: abdominal cramps, flatulence, muscle
tenderness/stiffness/weakness/inflammation, CK elevation,
non-serious and reversible cognitive side effects, increased
blood sugar and HbA1c
■ Avoid coadministration with fibrates if possible since the
combo increases risk of myositis and rhabdomyolysis
ezetimibe
■ Inhibits absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol
via an unknown transporter leading to increased LDL
receptors on hepatocytes
■ Reduces LDL only
■ Works synergistically with statins
■ 10 mg qd
■ SE’s: abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, increase in
LFT’s (monitor LFT’s especially is combined with
statins)
Resins
■ Bind anionic bile acids in GI tract and prevent their absorption,
which stimulates liver to convert more cholesterol into bile acids
which leads to more LDL receptors
■ Not absorbed systemically
■ Reduce cholesterol only
■ May RAISE TG’s
■ Also used to clear leflunomide (an anti-rheumatic drug) from body
within 2 weeks. Otherwise, it takes years to clear leflunomide.
■ Cholestyramine 4-12 g bid and colestipol 5-15 g bid
■ SE’s: CONSTIPATION, bloating, flatulence, dyspepsia,
decreased absorption of vitamins ADEK, warfarin, digoxin
■ To avoid the possibility of reduced bioavailability, other
medications should be taken a few hours before or after the resin
Fibrates
■ Reduce VLDL and hence TG’s
■ Mechanism of action not completely understood
■ Patient should stop excessive alcohol consumption
before treatment
■ Use with statins should be avoided if possible since
the combo increases risk of rhabdomyolysis and
myositis
■ Clofibrate predisposes to gallstones and is best used
in those with a cholecystectomy
Niacin (nicotinic acid but NOT niacinamide)
■ Only nicotinic acid version has anti-lipemic activity
■ Lowers TG’s by up to 50% (same as fibrates) by inhibiting
VLDL production in liver
■ Most effective agent in raising HDL (up to 35%)
■ MOA: reduces clearance of HDL, blocks mobilization of
FFA’s from periphery to liver, and reduces synthesis of
VLDL
■ 0.5-2g daily in divided doses of SR or ER forms
■ 0.5-4g daily in divided doses of IR form
■ Start low and go slow to prevent side effects
Niacin continued …
■ SE’s: N/V, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia,
flushing, hypotension, headache, hepatotoxicity, worsening
of peptic ulcer disease
■ To reduce SE’s: take with food, avoid alcohol and hot
beverages/food, take ASA 30 minutes before niacin dose
■ Available as immediate and extended release tabs
■ IR is least hepatotoxic but causes most flushing. ER version
(Niaspan) causes less flushing.
Effect of niacin on lipoproteins
35%
HDL-C with crystalline niacin
25%
HDL-C with Niaspan®
12.5%
Baseline
LDL-C with Niaspan®
LDL-C with crystalline niacin
-15%
TG with Niaspan®
-30%
TG with crystalline niacin
0
1 g/d
2 g/d 3 g/d
Fish oils
■ Used to reduce TG’s. TG’s may be lowered by as
much as 50% in some cases
■ May raise LDL but studies have inconsistent results
■ Need 2 to 4 g of EPA+DHA daily to lower TG’s
■ MOA: may reduce hepatic VLDL synthesis and
secretion and enhance TG clearance
■ SE’s: Nausea, fishy after taste, dyspepsia, raised
LDL (up to 10% in some studies)
AB/CD of hypertension
■ A=ACEI and ARB (and direct renin inhibitor?)
■ B=Beta blockers
■ C=Calcium channel blockers
■ D=diuretics
======================
■ < 55 y.o. and non-black  A or B
■ > 55 y.o. or black  C or D
■ If monotherapy is ineffective, combine one of A or B
with one of C or D
■ Low-moderate dose of 2 drugs is preferable over
maximal doses of 1 drug for control of hypertension
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system
ACEI’s and ARB’s (angiotensin receptor
blockers)
■
Captopril is proto-type. Others include ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril, quinapril,
trandolapril, and fosinopril. They all end with “-pril”
■
SE’s: angioedema, cough (absent with ARB’s; caused by increased
bradykinin levels), hyperkalemia, increased serum creatinine, headaches
(more with ARB’s)
■
Benefits of ACEIs: reduce peripheral artery resistance, increase CO, no
change in heart rate, increase renal blood flow, GFR remains constant
■
To prevent hypotension when initiating ACEI therapy, stop diuretics for 2-3
days first, then start the ACEI. After that, diuretic could be restarted.
■
Warn patients not to use potassium-based salt substitutes.
■
Stop ACEI if serum potassium goes above 5.5 umol/L. Check K+ and SCr in
1-2 weeks after starting the ACEI. D/C the ACEI if SCr increases by more
than 30% from baseline value.
■
Contraindicated in pregnancy and bilateral renal artery stenosis in a patient
with two kidneys or in unilateral renal artery stenosis in a patient with one
kidney.
ACEI’s and ARB’s continued …
ARB
Θ
Θ
ACEI
Θ
Direct Renin
Inhibitor
(aliskiren)
Θ
ACEI’s and ARB’s continued …
■ Lisinopril and captopril are the only ACEI’s which are not
prodrugs
■ Enalaprilat is the only ACEI available for parenteral
administration
■ All ACEI dosages need to be adjusted in renal
dysfunction/failure except for fosinopril
■ ARB’s include candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan,
telmisartan, eprosartan. They are contraindicated in
pregnancy. May also cause angioedema.
■ Both ACEI’s and ARB’s are very useful in managing HF,
hypertension, and proteinuria.
Direct renin inhibitors (new class of
antihypertensives)
■ Rasilez or aliskiren is the first member of this class
■ Blocks renin from converting angiotensinogen to
angiotensin 1
■ Metabolized by CYP3A4
■ Currently can be combined with HCTZ, ACEIs or DHPs
■ Reduces blood levels of furosemide by 50% through
unknown mechanism
■ Ketoconazole and atorvastatin increase aliskiren’s levels
while irbesartan decreases its levels
■ Like ACEIs/ARBs, aliskiren may cause angioedema,
hyperkalemia, and is contraindicated in pregnancy
■ Most common side effect is transient diarrhea
Beta receptors
Βeta-blockers
■
All names end with “-lol”
■
Cardioselective (B1-selective at low doses): metoprolol, acebutolol,
bisoprolol, esmolol (injectable only), betaxolol, atenolol. Could be safely
tried in asthmatics who require beta blockade
■
Non-selective (B1 and B2 blockade): propranolol and nadolol. Also helpful
in management of bleeding esophageal varices due to their ability to block
the B2 receptor in blood vessels.
■
pindolol, acebutolol, and oxprenolol have Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
(ISA). This means that they are also partial agonists at the beta receptor 
may have less negative effects on heart rate, blood lipids, and tiredness 
useful agents if patient experiences bradycardia on other BB’s.
■
The only BB officially labelled for use in pregnancy is labetalol
■
Carvedilol is also a beta and alpha blocker
■
Carvedilol, bisoprolol abd metoprolol have the most evidence for good
outcomes in heart failure
Beta-blockers continued …
■
Esmolol has a short half life of about 10 minutes and is administered
intravenously to treat intra- or post-operative hypertension, and to treat
hypertensive emergencies.
■
Elderly have less functional cardiac beta receptors and so require smaller
dosages compared to younger patients
■
BB’s typically reduce blood pressure by reducing vascular resistance, CO
and renin production
■
Reduce HR at rest and during exercise (compare with digoxin which
reduces heart rate only at rest)
■
Start at low doses and titrate up gradually
■
When discontinuing them, taper down gradually
■
SE’s: bradycardia, tiredness, dizziness, mood disturbances (particularly
with the fat soluble agents such as metoprolol), may raise blood lipids,
exacerbation of PAD, sexual dysfunction, worsening of asthma
symptoms
Calcium Channels
Calcium channel blockers
■
Dihydropyridines (DHP): nifedipine, amlodipine and felodipine act on
arteries (including coronary arteries) to induce vascular relaxation.
Therefore, they reduce afterload which may lead to reflex tachycardia 
BB’s may be helpful in this setting.
■
All their names end with “-dipine”.
■
Non-DHP’s: diltiazem and verapamil act mostly on cardiac cells
(verapamil more so than diltiazem) to depress contractility, AV
conduction, and heart rate  therefore avoid combining with BB’s.
■
MOA: block calcium channels from allowing entry of calcium into muscle
cells which results in less contractility and vascular resistance  so, nonDHP’s worsen heart failure
■
May cause swollen ankles and flushing (mostly DHP’s) and constipation
(especially verapamil). Swollen ankles may be resolved by using an
ACEI or by lowering the dose of the CCB.
■ Indications: all 3 types of angina (stable, unstable and vasospastic
or Prinzmetal’s), and hypertension.
Site of action of diuretics
Loop diuretics
■
Most powerful of all diuretics
■
E.g.: furosemide
■
50% of furosemide oral dose is typically absorbed
■
These agents have to be available inside the nephron tubule in order to exert their
action  they’re filtered and secreted
■
Their secretion into the tubule is reduced by NSAIDS and probenecid
■
MOA: inhibit luminal Na+/K+/2Cl- transporter in the thick ascending limb of Henle’s
loop. This results in loss of Na+, K+, Mg++, and Cl-
■
Indications: pulmonary edema, other edematous conditions, acute renal failure,
heart failure
■
Side effects: hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, dose-dependent
hearing loss especially if patient is receiving the oto-toxic aminoglycosides,
hyperuricemia
■
Hyponatremia is less common than with the thiazides
■
Use cautiously in heart failure
Thiazide diuretics
■
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), indapamide, chlorthalidone (CTD), metolazone
■
Indapamide and metolazone are more powerful than HCTZ/CTD and are usually
used for their powerful diuretic action like the loop diuretics
■
HCTZ and chlorthalidone are used mostly for treatment of hypertension
■
Reduce NaCl reabsorption by inhibiting NaCl transporter mostly in distal
convoluted tubule
■
Enhance Ca++ reabsorption which may unmask hypercalcemia.They could be
useful in the management of kidney stones caused by hypercalciuria.
■
Compete with uric acid secretion which may translate into reduced clearance of
urate leading to possible gout attacks
■
Have to be filtered into the nephron to exert their action  therefore may not be
useful if GFR is too low
■
SE’s: erectile dysfunction, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, gout attacks,
hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia
■
Hypokalemia (worsened by corticosteroids and beta-agonists such as salbutamol)
may enhance toxicity of digoxin
■
Indications: hypertension and edema
■
Dose of HCTZ and CTD for hypertension range from 12.5 to 25 mg qd
K+-sparing diuretics MOA
Spironolactone
Θ
Θ
K+-sparing diuretics
■
Spironolactone: steroid competitive antagonist to aldosterone at the
mineralocorticoid receptor
■
Triamterene and amiloride inhibit Na+ influx through ion channels in
luminal membrane
■
Spironolactone requires several days for full therapeutic effect
■
All 3 drugs are very weak diuretics and are not used for purpose of
diuresis
■
Indications: 1° or 2° mineralocorticoid excess (Conn’s syndrome, ectopic
ACTH production, HF, hepatic cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome), prevent or
to treat hypokalemia caused by other diuretics
■
SE’s: hyperkalemia (especially if used with BB’s, NSAIDS, ACEI’s or
ARB’s)
■
Spironolactone may cause gynecomastia, BPH, impotence (also binds to
progesterone and androgen receptors)
■
Eplerenone is more specific to aldosterone receptor  causes less
gynecomastia
Agents for heart failure
■ ACEI (or ARB)
■ BB’s (particularly carvedilol & bisoprolol)
■ diuretics (particularly loop diuretics)
■ aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone,
eplerenone)
■ Digoxin (toxicity includes N/V, diarrhea, headache,
dizziness, arrhythmias (especially if patient
experiences hypokalemia, hypomagnesimia, or
hypercalcemia). Toxicity more commonly seen if
digoxin blood levels > 2 ng/ml
Nitrates and nitroglycerin
■
Indicated for treatment of acute angina attacks or prevention of exercise
or prinzmetal’s angina
■
To treat an angina attack use: S/L NTG tablet or spray
■
To prevent an attack use: S/L nitroglycerin tablet or spray, nitroglycerin
patch, NTG ointment, po isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) or isosorbide
mononitrate.
■
Manufacturer specifies that NTG spray could be used over or under the
tongue.
■
To avoid nitrate tolerance, provide a nitrate-free period of 10 to 14 hours
daily
■
ISDN is does BID-TID whereas ISMN is longer acting and dosed once
daily
■
SE’s: headaches, flushing, dizziness, hypotension, reflex tachycardia
(minimized if also using BB)
■
Other drugs used to prevent angina include BBs and CCBs (DHPs or
non-DHPs). Verapamil is especially useful for Prinzmetal’s angina.
■
Nitrates are contraindicated for use with PDE5Is such as sildenafil,
tadalafil, vardenafil due to risk of life-threatening hypotension
Antiplatelets-MOA
TXA2 = vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregant
Thienopyridines = clopidogrel and ticlopidine. After activation in the liver, they covalently bind to ADP
receptor and reduce platelet activation
PI = phosphodiesterase inhibitors (dipyridamole)
GP iib/iiia inhibitors = abciximab (block the final common pathway for platelet aggregation)
Antiplatelets
■ ASA:
– irreversible inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) which results
in inhibition of TXA2 production in platelets and PGI2
(prostacyclin) production in endothelial cells
– Endothelial cells (but not platelets) overcome this inhibition by
producing fresh cyclo-oxygenase which raises PGI2:TXA2 ratio
■ Dipyridamole+ASA: the combo is superior to ASA alone in
reducing risk of strokes. Given as 1 cap bid. Each Capsule
contains 200 mg dipyridamole + 25 mg ASA
■ Clopidogrel: ADP-receptor antagonist (ADP promotes platelet
aggregation). Given to patients intolerant to ASA and sometimes
along with ASA.
■ Ticlopidine: also an ADP-receptor antagonist. Generally not used
anymore since it causes neutropenia  clopidogrel is safer
■ Prasugrel is the latest addition to this class
Anticoagulants
■ Thrombus may form in arteries (white:
fibrin+platelets) or veins (red: fibrin+RBC’s)
■ ASA and other antiplatelets (e.g., clopidogrel) work
well on white thrombi
■ Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, heparin, low-
molecular weight heparin) work well on red thrombi
■ Oral anticoagulants: warfarin
■ Injectable anticoagulants: unfractionated heparin &
low molecular weight heparins (LMWH)
Anticoagulants - UFH
■ MW = 15000 Da
■ Can be given SC or IV
■ Adjust dose according to aPTT (aPTT measures anti-
factor IIa activity)
■ Mostly effects clotting factors II and X
■ Compared with LMWH, UFH binds more to plasma
proteins, endothelium and macrophages, resulting in
reduced bioavailability and greater patient variability to a
given dose.
■ SE’s:
– Short term: bleeding (can be reversed with IV
protamine sulfate), thrombocytopenia (aka, HIT.
LMWH’s are cross reactive)
– Long term: osteopenia, alopecia, hypoaldosteronism
Chemical structure of heparin and
relationship to LMWH’s
Heparin
Enzymatic
depolymerization
LMWH
Anticoagulants - LMWH
■
MW = 4000 to 5000 Da
■
Affect factor X mostly
■
Administered SC only
■
As effective as UFH
■
May be used in pregnancy
■
Dosed according to body weight
■
Dosage adjustment is unnecessary and aPTT is not required (since antifactor IIa activity is not affected)
■
Anti Xa levels could be used to determine efficacy
■
Lower incidence of thrombocytopenia
■
All names end with “-parin”.
■
Dalteparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, tinzaparin. Injected once daily.
■
Same SE’s as heparin but to a lesser extent. Overdose could be
reversed with protamine sulfate but repeated doses may be required
Natural breakdown of clotting factors
UFH and LMWH MOA
Endogenous anti-thrombin III
(ATIII) binds factors IIa and Xa but
at a very slow rate.
UFH and LMWH’s speed this
process up.
Warfarin mechanism
Anticoagulants - warfarin
■ Bioavailability 100%
■ Avoid in pregnancy (teratogen). Use UFH or LMWH instead.
■ Only S enantiomer is active
■ Binds to albumin
■ MOA: inhibits reduction of vitamin K required for carboxylation (thus
activation) of clotting factors in the liver (II, VII, IX, X)
■ Onset of action is up to 5 days to allow for depletion of already
synthesized factors
■ Heparin and LMWH’s start working in 1-2 hours. Patients are often
started on heparins AND warfarin together, then heparins are stopped
after 1-5 days and warfarin is continued
Warfarin continued …
■ Warfarin also depletes protein C and S (anticoagulation
factors)
■ Adjust dosage according to INR results (range is usually 2
to 3)
■ Tell patient to keep consumption of vitamin K from foods
constant so that warfarin dosages could be adjusted easier
and more consistently
■ Major drug interactions:
– Increase INR: amiodarone, TMP/SMX, metronidazole,
cipro, erythromycin
– Decrease INR: rifampin, carbamazepine
■ SE’s: bleeding, skin necrosis (thigh, breast, buttocks),
purple toe syndrome
Asthma medications
■
Symptom relievers: inhaled short/long acting B2 agonists (SABA/LABA) &
anticholinergics
■
Symptom preventers: inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), Leukotriene receptor antagonists
(LTRA), sodium cromoglycate & nedocromil (inhaled nonsteroidal agents)
■
For ICS to be effective, they would have to be used regularly and not PRN.
■
Usual combo therapy: ICS daily + SABA for exacerbations OR ICS daily + LABA bid ±
SABA for exacerbations
■
LABA’s are usually added to ICS’s  adding a LABA to ICS may be preferred in some
patients over increasing dose of ICS
■
ICS: beclomethasone, triamcinolone, budesonide, fluticasone, flunisolide, ciclesonide.
Use regularly. Not for rescue therapy.
■
SABA: salbutamol, terbutaline. For rescue therapy.
■
LABA: salmeterol, formoterol. Used QD-BID regularly. Formoterol, however, could be
used for rescue. Not for monotherapy; for use with ICS.
■
Anticholinergics: ipratropium (bid to qid), tiotropium (qd). Mostly reserved for COPD.
May cause dry mouth, urinary retention, increased IOP, pharyngeal irritation
■
SABA/LABA may cause tachycardia, palpitations, nervousness, tremor, hypokalemia
(at high doses)
Targets for anti-inflammatory therapy in
Asthma
Mast
Cells
Θ
IL-5
Θ
Θ
Cromolyn,
nedocromil,
ketotifen
Eosinophils
corticosteroids
Leukotrienes
Θ
LTRA’s block
LT receptors
in airway
a)
LTRA’s: montelukast & zafirlukast. Serve as alternatives or adjuncts to increased ICS
or when ICS are not tolerated.
b)
Montelukast is preferred over zafirlukast since the latter is bid dosing, has to be on
empty stomach, and interacts with other meds such as Eryc, ASA, and warfarin.
c)
Mast cell stabilizers need a few weeks to work, have to be used regularly, excellent
safety profile.
d)
CS’s inhibit mast cells, MØ’s, T-cells, eosinophils, epithelial cells, as well as gene
transcription of the cytokines/interleukins implicated in airway inflammation
Drugs for benign prostatic hyperplasia
■ 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) reduce
prostate size by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to
dehydrotestosterone (DHT)  take weeks and months to show
full benefit
■ Alpha blockers (tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin)
reduce smooth muscle tone by antagonizing binding of
norepinephrine and epinephrine to alpha-1 receptors 
relatively fast in controlling BPH symptoms
■ Terazosin & doxazosin: titrate dose up to avoid hypotension and
dizziness
■ Testosterone, OTC decongestants (pseudoephedrine,
phenylephrine), and anticholinergic drugs (TCA’s, 1st generation
antihistamines such as diphenhydramine) worsen BPH
symptoms
Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
■
ED:
–
–
■
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors:
●
cGMP in smooth muscle cells is broken down by PDE5
●
cGMP is required to achieve tumescence
●
PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) suppress the function of PDE5 thus
allowing cGMP to do its work
●
Sexual stimulation is required to achieve erection
●
PDE5I’s are contraindicated with nitrates due to increased risk of severe
hypotension
●
Onset of action at 15 minutes with V & S and > 30 minutes for T
●
Duration of action up to 12 hours for S & V and 36 hours for T
●
Reduce dose of PDE5I’s if also using CYP3A4 inhibitors
●
High fat meal may delay and reduce efficacy of S & V
●
Available for episodic dosing or as lower daily dosing
PGE1 analogues:
●
Alprostadil injection or urethral pellets
●
Activates adenylate cyclase to produce cAMP from ATP which leads to smooth
muscle relaxation and vasodilation
●
Rapid onset of action for <1 hour
●
Priapism is a problem with this agent
Premature ejaculation: daily regular use of SSRI’s (e.g., paroxetine)
PDE5Is and prostaglandins mechanism
of action
Dementia
■
Cholinergic hypothesis: ACh is one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain that serves to
increase attention and facilitate learning
■
Pharmacological treatment: available agents are only mildly effective (if at all)
−
−
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI):
●
Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine
●
Used in mild-moderate severity
●
all should be titrated upwards slowly
●
Decrease HR (caution with BB’s), N/V, diarrhea, anorexia, urinary incontinence,
insomnia (therefore dose in AM)
●
Donepezil and galantamine are metabolized by CYP3A4
●
Increase dose monthly if needed
NMDA receptor antagonists:
●
Memantine. May be combined with AChEI’s.
●
Used in moderate-severe disease
●
Start at 5 mg QD and increase every 1-2 weeks to maximum of 10 mg BID
●
Causes insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, ↑ BP
Rough relationship between parkinson’s disease,
schizophrenia & antipsychotics
Normal
ACh DA
Parkinson’s
ACh DA
ACh DA
• raise activity of
dopamine: levodopa,
dopamine agonists or
• reduce activity of ACh:
anticholinergics
Symptoms worsen with:
• antipsychotics
• AChE inhibitors (used in
treatment of dementia)
Schizophrenia
EPS &
pseudoparkinsonism:
too much antipsychotic
ACh DA
ACh DA
• reduce activity of
dopamine:
antipsychotics
• reduce activity of
ACh:
anticholinergics
• raise activity of DA
by reducing dose of
antipsychotic
• Anticholinergics: benztropine, procyclidine,
trihexyphenidyl, diphenhydramine
• dopamine agonists: bromocriptine,
cabergoline, pramipexole, ropinirole
Drugs used for dyspepsia, GERD or peptic
ulcer disease
■
Proton pump inhibitors
– Omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole sodium,
pantoprazole magnesium, lansoprazole
– All agents are equally effective
– Must be:
1. Absorbed in tact without exposure to acid
2. enter the acid-producing parietal cells
3. get protonated
4. undergo intramolecular rearrangement (activation)
5. form a disulfide bond with proton pump causing permanent pump
inactivation
– Proton pumps must be active for the PPI’s to work effectively and
therefore it is generally advised to time the dose about ½ hour before
breakfast
– Available formulations are not very effective for nocturnal heartburn
– to prevent exposure to the stomach acid (and premature activation of the
drug) upon swallowing, tablets are enteric coated  tablets must not be
split or crushed
PPI’s-mechanism of action
PPI’s continued …
■ Omeprazole inhibits p-glycoprotein and CYP2C19 and
therefore has important drug interactions (increased levels
of diazepam, digoxin, phenytoin, some statins, tegretol,
triazolam, warfarin)
■ All PPI’s decrease absorption of acid-requiring drugs such
as ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium carbonate, iron,
vitamin B12, protease inhibitors and thyroxine
■ Linked to:
– Worsening osteoporosis
– Raised risk of pneumonia
– Raised risk of developing C. difficile infection
– Reduced activation of clopidogrel (controversial and if
interaction exists it probably isn’t clinically significant)
– Rebound hyperacidity when stopped
– Reduced blood magnesium levels
Drugs used for dyspepsia, GERD or peptic ulcer
disease continued …
■
H2-receptor antagonists:
– Ranitidine, famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine
– Weaker than the PPI’s in reducing stomach acidity
– Suffer from tachyphylaxis
– Space by about 1 hour from antacids
– Cimetidine inhibits CYP2C19 and 2D6 and therefore effects levels of
warfarin, phenytoin, etc…
■
Prokinetics
– Domperidone & metoclopramide are dopamine antagonists
– When dopaminergic system is inhibited in the GI tract, it leaves the
cholinergic system unopposed
– Side effects include diarrhea
– Metoclopramide enters CNS and causes extrapyramidal side effects and
pseudoparkinsonism  domperidone is preferred because it does not
penetrate the CNS
– Sometimes used off-label to increase lactation in breastfeeding women
– Also used as antiemetics due to their antidopaminergic activity
– Most useful for gastroparesis
Drugs used for dyspepsia, GERD or peptic
ulcer disease continued …
■
Prostaglandin analogues
– Misoprostol is a prostaglandin E1 analogue
– It leads to increased mucous production/mucosal blood flow and is used
to prevent development of NSAID-induced peptic ulcers
– Side effects include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, headache,
dyspepsia, flatulence
– Contraindicated in pregnancy due to its ability to induce uterine
contractions
■
Sucralfate
– Complex of aluminum hydroxide and sulfated sucrose
– Forms complex gels w/mucus → physical barrier that impairs diffusion of
HCl and prevents peptic mucus degradation
– Requires acidic pH for activation, therefore should not be used with
antacids, PPI’s or H2RA’s
– taken on an empty stomach
– Minimal absorption from GI tract
– Used for treatment of duodenal ulcers
– may decrease the effect of warfarin, digoxin, phenytoin, ketoconazole,
quinidine, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin
Antiemetics
■
Neurotransmitters involved in the process of nausea and vomiting include:
– Acetylcholine and histamine: important in motion sickness, morning sickness
– Serotonin: important in CINV, post-operative N/V
– Dopamine: important in CINV, post-operative N/V, opioid-induced N/V
■
Anticholinergics/antihistamines
– Most useful for motion sickness and morning sickness
– Diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, scopolamine, promethazine, doxylamine
– Doxylamine is labelled for N/V in pregnancy
– Dimenhydrinate is diphenhydramine covalently linked to chlorotheophylline
– All cause anticholinergic side effects  blurry vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention,
sleepiness, dizziness  caution when using them in elderly patients
■
Dopamine antagonists
– Not effective for motion sickness
– Chlorpromazine, prochloperazine, metoclopramide, domperidone, haloperidol
– May cause CNS side effects due to their antidopaminergic action (domperidone is an exception)
– Useful as adjuncts in CINV or as standalone agents for minimally emetogenic regimens
– Also useful for opioid-induced N/V and N/V due to GI dysmotility
■
Serotonin antagonists
– Ondansetron, dolasetron, granisetron
– Mostly reserved for acute CINV
– Not effective enough for opioid-induced N/V
– Side effects are minimal but may include constipation and headaches
■
Anticholinergics may reduce effectiveness of prokinetics (domperidone and metoclopramide)
Agents used in management of IBD (UC and CD)
■
Anti-inflammatories
– 5-AMINOsalicylic acid (5-ASA), aka, mesalamine or mesalazine
●
Available for rectal or oral dosing
●
Site of action varies
♦
Oral Pentasa releases 5-ASA starting at the duodenum
♦
Oral Salofalk and Asacol release drug at terminal ileum
♦
Oral Sulfasalazine & olsalazine release drug at proximal colon
♦
Enemas could potentially reach the splenic flexure
♦
Suppositories are limited to treating the rectum (10 cm or so)
●
For best results, may have to use oral AND rectal products
●
Good option for maintenance therapy (unlike corticosteroids)
■
Corticosteroids
– Available for rectal, oral or parenteral dosing
– E.g., prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone
– Useful for induction of remission
– Not indicated for maintenance therapy
– Many side effects typically seen with chronic or high-dose corticosteroid use
– Budesonide is metabolised during hepatic first-pass metabolism and therefore exerts less
systemic side effects compared to prednisone  but not as effective as prednisone
IBD continued …
■
■
Purine antimetabolites
–
Azathioprine (or its active metabolite 6-mercaptopurine)
–
Helpful for those patients not responding to steroids or those who cannot be
weaned off steroids (moderate-severe disease)
–
Side effects include bone marrow suppression, infections, hepatotoxicity,
pancreatitis
–
Toxicity if combined with allopurinol  quarter the dose of AZA/6MP if
combining with allopurinol
Biologic response modifiers
–
Monoclonal antibodies to TNF-alpha
–
Infliximab (intravenous), adalimumab (SQ), certolizumab (SQ)
–
Etanercept (also a TNF-alpha blocker) is ineffective
–
Used in moderate-severe UC & CD not responsive to standard regimens
–
Antibodies to these agents could develop  concomitant use AZA/6MP, MTX
can ↓ formation of antibodies
–
Side effects include hepatitis B and TB reactivation, malignancies,
candidiasis, shingles, worsening of heart failure
Agents for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
■
No cure and hard to treat
■
Treat individual symptoms as they arise
■
Antispasmodics:
– Hyoscine, dicyclomine, peppermint oil, oinaverium, trimebutine  not
effective in most
■
Antidiarrheals:
– Loperamide, diphenoxylate/atropine, cholestyramine
■
Laxatives:
– Lactulose, senna, bisacodyl, psyllium, polycarbophil calcium,
polyehtylene glycol, magnesium compounds, sodium phosphate
■
Abdominal pain ± diarrhea:
– TCA’s (notriptyline, desipramine are best tolerated)
■
Abdominal pain ± constipation:
– SSRI’s (fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine)
Osteoporosis
■
Bisphosphonates
– Etid-, alen-, risedronate (oral agents)
– Anti-resorptive. Bind to hydroxyapatite, inhibit osteoclasts, which
decreases the resorption & turnover of bone, which increases BMD
by up to 6%
– Limited oral bioavailability (<1%) but half life is many years; should
be taken on empty stomach before food/drink/medication (water is
ok)
– ↓ vertebral, nonvertebral & hip fractures in HIGH risk patients
– Avoid or carefully monitor patients with CrCl < 30 ml/min
– Depending on the agent, can be dosed daily, weekly, monthly or
yearly
– Side effects include dyspepsia, acid regurgitation, abdominal pain,
nausea, esophagitis  should not lie down for 30 minutes after oral
dose
■
Selective estrogen receptor modulator (raloxifene), calcitonin,
teriparatide, estrogen, denosumab
Gout
■
■
Acute attack or when starting allopurinol:
–
Colchicine 1.2 mg stat then 0.6 mg 1 hour later, then 1-2 tabs daily thereafter
for 1-2 weeks  GI side effects include diarrhea
–
NSAIDs: indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen, celecoxib x 1-2 weeks
–
Oral or intra-articular corticosteroids: prednisone, methylprednisolone,
triamcinolone
–
Do not start, stop or adjust allopurinol during an acute attack
Prophylaxis (3 or more attacks per year, increased uric acid levels):
–
Allopurinol: 1st line
●
Xanthine oxidase inhibitor  decreases uric acid production
●
Contraindicated in acute gout
●
Start at low dose and titrate up slowly
●
Wait 1-2wks after inflammation settles before initiating allopurinol
●
–
May need to prophylax with colchicine or an NSAID while adjusting
allopurinol’s dose (may take a few months)
Colchicine: 2nd line
●
0.6 mg daily
Drug related problems
Need for pharmacotherapy
Exists
No drug is
prescribed
Does not exist
Drug is
prescribed
Wrong
drug
Dose
too low
Dose
too high
Drug allergy
or
intolerable
side effects
Drug is
prescribed
Clinically
significant
drug-drug
interactions
or drugdisease
interactions
Patient not
receiving drug
from pharmacy
because:
• drug not being
manufactured
• drug is too
expensive
•
A note about drug allergies
■ Patients might label side effects or intolerances as “allergies”
■ Always ask patient to describe his or her allergy to confirm
■ True allergies are uncommon particularly with opioids
■ Examples of intolerances or side effects that patients
commonly label as “allergies”:
– nausea, constipation, itchiness or somnolence while on
opioids
– stomach pain while on NSAIDs
– pruritus or facial flushing when starting nicotinic acid or
when dose increases
– Nausea or diarrhea while on antibiotics
Iron products
■
Inorganic iron products:
– Ferrous salts
– Best absorbed from GI tract when in ferric state  gastric acid (and
perhaps ascorbic acid) facilitates conversion to ferric form
– Ferrous gluconate: 12% elemental iron (usually 35 mg Fe2+ per 300 mg tab)
– Ferrous sulfate: 20% elemental iron (usually 60 mg Fe2+ per 300 mg tab)
– Ferrous fumarate: 33% elemental iron (usually 100 mg Fe2+ per 300 mg tab)
– Some are available as delayed-release formulation  diminished
absorption
– Side effects include nausea, stomach pain, constipation
■
Iron complexed with heme or polysaccharides
– In theory supposed to have less GI side effects and more predictable
absorption (not affected by stomach acidity, presence of other competing
polyvalent cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+)
– More expensive than inorganic iron supplements
Over-the-counter drugs
■
Nasal decongestants:
–
Oral: pseudoephedrine  may cause insomnia and may worsen BP and BPH symptoms. Phenylephrine
does not work.
–
Intranasal: xylometazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine  all very effective but tolerance quickly
develops. Often cause rebound congestion (especially with phenylephrine) if used for more than 3-5
days
■
Antihistamines: not very useful for sinus congestion
–
1st generation: diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine
●
Prominent anticholinergic side effects  sedation, dryness (may exacerbate BPH symptoms),
increased HR
nd
–
2 generation: cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, fexofenadine  all equally effective. Anticholinergic
side effects and sedation are almost absent but more costly and headaches are more frequent
compared to 1st generation.
■
Dyspepsia and acid reflux:
–
Antacids usually containing calcium, magnesium or aluminum salts  drug interactions (reduce
absorption of tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, bisphosphonates, iron), caution with renal impairment.
Al3+ is constipating whereas Mg2+ is a laxative
–
Avoid sodium bicarbonate  increased risk of metabolic alkalosis
–
Alginates: with or without Ca2+, Mg2+ or Al3+ form a physical barrier at the esophageal sphincter
–
Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA’s): ranitidine, famotidine (nizatidine and cimetidine still require a
prescription)
■
Dermatitis:
–
Hydrocortisone 0.5% is ineffective for most indications. Clobetasone is more useful.
–
Topical diphenhydramine cream is also ineffective for pruritis and make actually cause sensitization 
avoid
OTC drugs continued …
■
Antifungals
– Topical miconazole (Micatin), clotrimazole (Canesten),
ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral), tolnaftate (Tinactin)
– Oral fluconazole  convenient single po dose for vulvovaginal
candidiasis but as effective as topical products
■
Analgesics
– Naproxen, ASA, ibuprofen
– Acetaminophen
– Codeine+acetaminophen (available behind the counter and
requires pharmacist’s intervention for dispensing)
■
Antidiarrheals:
– Loperamide
– Bismuth subsalicylate
Appendix I: supplemental and more in depth
information regarding antibacterial agents …
Antibacterial agents-MOA
■
Beta-lactams: bind to PBP and inhibit formation of the bacterial cell wall by inhibiting peptidoglycan
synthesis
■
Vancomycin: inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis at a site different than beta-lactams
■
FQ’s: inhibit DNA gyrase in G- bacteria, and inhibit topoisomerase IV in G+ bacteria
■
Macrolides: inhibit protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit
■
Clindamycin: inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit (close to where
macrolides bind. Note similarity in the name of clindamycin and the macrolides)
■
Aminoglycosides: inhibit protein synthesis by irreversibly binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit
■
Tetracyclines: interfere with protein synthesis by inhibiting codon-anticodon interaction on ribosomes
■
Chloramphenicol: attaches to ribosomes and inhibits the formation of peptide bonds between amino
acids
■
Metronidazole: is a prodrug which needs activation in the bacterial cell via a reductive process carried
out by anarobic bacterial ferredoxins. The donated electrons form reactive nitro anions which in turn
damage bacterial DNA.
■
TMP/SMX: inhibit the formation of tetrahydrofolic acid. SMX is a structural analogue of PABA and
inhibits the synthesis of dihydrofolate. TMP is a structural analogue of the pteridine portion of
dihydrofolate and acts as a competitive inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. The combo blocks two
consecutive steps in the synthesis of THF which is needed to synthesize nucleic acids.
Antibacterial agents-Penicillins
■
β -lactams:
– Penicillins
●
(1) Pen VK & Pen G: mostly for non β-lactamase producing G+ and oral anaerobes. Pen V is PO
while Pen G is by injection only. Commonly used for strep throat and mouth infections. Agents of
choice for syphilis even if patient is allergic to penicillins (need to desensitize patient first!). Give Pen
VK on empty stomach.
●
●
●
●
●
●
(2) Methicillin & cloxacillin: for what (1) covers + BL’ase producing staphylococcus (MSSA).
Commonly prescribed for skin infections. Oral and parenteral. Give on empty stomach. No dosage
adjustment in renal dysfunction. Think of them as anti-staph.
(3) Ampicillin & amoxicillin: for what (1) covers + non BL’ase producing “easy to kill” G- bacteria & for
ENTEROCOCCUS. Ampi is PO/IM/IV and causes diarrhea while Amoxi is only PO.
(4) Amoxicillin+clavulanate & ampicillin+sulbactam: for what (3) covers + (2) + easy to kill BL’ase
producing G- bacteria + B. Fragilis + E. coli. Amoxi/clav frequently causes diarrhea.
(5) Piperacillin & ticarcillin: for what (4) covers + Pseudomonas + non-BL’ase “hard to kill” G- (often
used in combo with aminoglycosides). Given parenterally only. Adjust dose in renal impairement.
Think of them as mainly anti-pseudomonal.
(6) Piperacillin+tazobactam & ticarcillin+clavulanate: for what (5) covers + MSSA
Pen G, ticarcillin, and piperacillin contain sodium which should be taken into account when injecting
them into patients with HF or renal insufficiency
Easy to kill G- bacteria: non-BL’ase H. Flu, P. mirabilis, salmonella, shigella (L. monocytogenes is not a Gbacteria as was indicated here previously)
Hard to kill G- bacteria: klebsiella, enterobacter, citrobacter, serratia, morganella, pseudomonas
Antibacterial agents-Cephalosporins
■
Β-lactams continued …
– Cephalosporins: divided into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations. 1st generation has mostly G+
coverage while 3rd has mostly G- coverage. Non are effective for enterococcus, MRSA, L.
monocytogenes. Cross allerginicity with penicillins is up to 10% (less with higher generations).
●
●
●
●
–
(7) 1st gen: cephalexin, cefazolin, cefadroxil. Used for (1) + (2) + E. coli, klebsiella. Do not
cross BBB. Cefazolin is parenteral only. Cephalexin is PO only
(8) 2nd gen: cefuroxime (parenteral only), cefaclor, cefuroxime axetil, (PO version of
cefuroxime), cefprozil. For (7) + H. flu + Neisseria + M. catarrhalis. Give cefuroxime axetil
with food while cefaclor on empty stomach
(9) 3rd gen: ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefixime (the only PO drug), ceftizoxime.
Retain activity versus strep species but have reduced activity vs. staph species. For (8) +
“hard to kill” G- bacteria + pseudomonas (only ceftazidime). Avoid ceftriaxone in neonates.
All parenteral agents cross the BBB and so helpful in treating meningitis
(10) 4th gen: cefepime. Active vs pseudomonas. Used to treat UTI’s, skin infections,
pneumonia. Not advantageous over 3rd generation agents such as ceftazidime.
Carbapenems: imipenem and meropenem. Available parenterally only. Imipenem may cause
seizures and N/V. These are less common with meropenem. They cover “everything” including
C. difficile. BL ring is resistant to the BL’ases. Imipenem is renally metabolized to the stable
open-lactam metabolite by a dipeptidase, dehydropeptidase I, located at the lumenal surface of
the proximal tubular cells. To prevent this, imipenem is combined with cilastin.
Antibacterial agents-fluoroquinolones
■
Fluoroquinolones:
– may cause nausea, diarrhea, photosensitivity, dizziness, agitation, cartilage damage (based
on studies of beagle puppies), glucose dysregulation (newer generation)
– Newer generation agents are almost 100% absorbed PO
– Cipro is about 80% absorbed
– Polyvalent cations (Ca, Fe, Al, Mg, Zn, antacids) prevent absorption of FQ’s which requires
these drugs to be spaced by a few hours
– Divided into 3 generations:
●
1st gen: Nalidixic acid (not used anymore)
●
2nd gen: nor-, o-, and ciprofloxacin
●
3rd gen: levo-, gati-, and moxifloxacin. Gatifloxacin was discontinued Summer 2006. this
generation of drugs is commonly referred to as the “respiratory quinolones”
– 2nd gen agents cover G- bacteria mainly.
– Cipro is the only FQ with reliable activity against pseudomonas. It could also be used against
MSSA. Cipro does not cover strep species well.
– Norfloxacin is pretty much only used to treat uncomplicated UTI’s
– 3rd gen agents were designed to cover more G+ bacteria than 2 nd gen. They are very broad
spectrum (including B. fragilis and atypical microorganisms) but do not cover pseudomonas
reliably.
– FQ’s are currently not recommended to be given to pregnant women or to patients under 18
y.o.
Antibacterial agents-aminoglycosides
■
Only available for parenteral administration (tobramycin is available for
inhalation to treat chronic pseudomonas infections in cystic fibrosis
patients; brand name is called TOBI)
■
Gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin
■
All have very narrow therapeutic window (must monitor levels and SCr)
■
Toxicity: reversible nephrotoxicity (less with qd dosing), irreversible
ototoxicity, rare but potentially fatal neuromuscular blockade (interfere
with ACh release and binding leading to weakness of respiratory muscles
which can be reversed by administering calcium gluconate)
■
Since all are renally cleared, dose must be adjusted in renal impairment
■
Active against G- bacteria including pseudomonas
■
Frequently used with other ABX (especially anti-pseudomonal penicillins)
Antibacterial agents-macrolides
■
Erythromycin (E), clarithromycin (C), azithromycin (A)
■
E and C inhibit CYP450 enzymes while A does not. All are hepatically metabolized and
cleared. Non are removed during hemodialysis.
■
E and C stimulate GI motility causing diarrhea, cramps, and nausea
■
All are PO but E and A are also parenteral
■
All are poorly absorbed. E should be taken on an empty stomach but because it causes
GI side effects, it is recommended to be taken with food
■
All may cause QT prolongation
■
They cover common G+ (including MSSA), common G- bacteria (A>C>E), mycoplasma,
chlamydia, legionella, treponema pallidum. They are very helpful for respiratory tract
infections. E is an important antibiotic to use in those allergic to penicillin.
■
A and C are active against mycobacterium avium-intracellulaire (MAC)
■
E is dosed qid, C is dosed bid or qd, A is dosed qd
■
A is not officially labeled as safe in pregnancy but it is often used in pregnancy without
reported adverse effects
Antibacterial agents-tetracyclines
■
Minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline
■
All cause photosensitivities. Because they are often used in young people to treat
their acne, these patients should be warned against sun tanning
■
Because they depress bone growth and cause permanent grey-brown
discoloration of teeth, they should not be given to children < 8 y.o.
■
Esophageal ulceration has been reported with doxycycline (should be taken with
lots of fluids)
■
Minocycline has been reported to cause dizziness, ataxia, and vertigo
■
All should be administered on an empty stomach and patients should avoid
concomitant ingestion of metal cations found in milk, multivitamins, antacids
■
Doxy and minocycline are dosed bid. Tetracycline is dosed bid to qid
■
Active against many respiratory pathogens, strep pneumo, H. flu, mycoplasma,
chlamydia, legionella, moraxella catarrhalis
Antibacterial agents-metronidazole &
clindamycin
■ Clindamycin causes diarrhea (sometimes due to C. difficile)
■ Clindamycin is active against G+ bacteria (BL’ase producing
staph, strep) and anarobes (B. fragilis and C. perfringens)
■ Metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction when taken
with alcohol (N/V, abdominal cramps, hypotension, headache),
metallic taste, stool and/or urine discoloration, peripheral
neuropathy, seizures
■ Active against anarobes (B. fragilis, C. difficile). Agent used to
combat C. difficile infection caused by clindamycin. Also active
against trichomonas, giardia lamblia, and entamoba histolytica.
Antibacterial agents-TMP/SMX
■
Can cause skin reactions (rashes, Stevens-Johnson syndrome), N/V, diarrhea,
hepatic necrosis, hemolytic anemia in those with G6PD deficiency, bone marrow
depression
■
Advise patient to drink lots of fluids to prevent crystallization in kidneys
■
Active against G+ (including MRSA!!), and G- bacteria (salmonella, shigella, H.
flu)
Antibacterial agents-vancomycin
■
Available for parenteral administration only
■
Rapid infusion causes flushing of face, neck and upper thorax, pruritis and
hypotension (similar to side effects of nicotinic acid). This is known as the
“red man” syndrome and is not an allergic reaction
■
High serum levels (> 80 ug/ml) may cause ototoxicity leading to deafness
■
May potentiate aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity
■
Given PO to treat C. difficile pseudomembranous colitis or staph enterocolitis
■
Adjust dosage in renal dysfunction (trough levels should be 5-10 ug/ml)
■
Not removed by dialysis
■
Active against G+ bacteria mainly staph (MSSA, MRSA, and staph
epidermidis), strep, C. difficile
Appendix II: Guidelines on opioid
dosing
■
Opioid naïve patient:
– 10 to 20 mg morphine q4h
– 1/3 to ½ dose for breakthrough pain q1h
– Eg: 10 mg morphine q4h, 5 mg q1h prn
– Elderly should get half the doses
■
Previously on opioids or poorly controlled:
– Increase dose by 25 to 50% q4h
– Eg: 10 mg * 1.5 = 15 mg q4h, 7.5 mg q1h prn
■
Converting from injection to oral:
– Divide total 24-hour dose by 3 and dose q4h
– Eg: morphine 30 mg SC q4h
●
Total daily injected dose = 30 * 6 = 180 mg
●
The q4h dose = 180/3 = 60 mg
●
The q1h dose for BT pain = 60/2 = 30 mg
■
Reassess pain control every 24 hours and make adjustments until patient is stable
■
When you find the stable dose as outlined above, the patient could be switched from IR to “Contin”
or SR preparation for convenience:
– Divide total daily dose of the IR by 2 for q12h dosing
– Divide total daily dose of the IR by 3 for q8h dosing
– Give 1/5 of the q12h dose for BT pain q4h
– Eg: patient is stable on 120 mg/day of IR preparation. The q12h dose of MS Contin would be
120/2 = 60 mg PLUS 10 mg of the IR q4h prn
Safe prescribing of opioids
■
Before prescribing opioids, consider using:
–
Non-pharmacological pain therapy
–
Non-opioid analgesics such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen and antidepressants or antiepileptics for neuropathic pain
■
If patient requires opioids:
–
Prescribe small amounts
–
Tell patient what you expect from him/her
–
Be alert for scripts not lasting expected duration or if pharmacist contacts you for an early fill of a part-fill
–
Be alert when patient reports stolen pills or lost scripts (you can ask patient for a police report)
–
Use prescription pads with security features
–
Spell out the amount of pills to dispense when writing a Rx because patients could alter digits more easily than
written words. Eg: 60 (Sixty) tablets instead of 60 tablets
–
Be alert for evidence of drug injections
–
Be alert for requests of other opioids by patient
–
Patient has to inform prescriber by law that he/she received a prescription for an opioid from another prescriber
within the last month: most patients do not know this and therefore may require reminding
–
Be alert if patient is young and without identifiable pathology or if psychologically unstable
–
Try not to be pressured by patient to prescribe an opioid you do not agree with
–
Include intervals on part-fills to limit how often a patient fills the Rx
–
Consult with the pharmacist and ask if he/she can provide a good reference for the patient or if he/she can vouch
for the patient
–
Pharmacists are required by their licensing body to verify the legitimacy of questionable prescriptions with the
prescriber; most diverters will attempt to prevent the pharmacist from doing that and may voice their “concern” to
you during the next visit
–
Inform patient of his/her own responsibilities when entrusted with drugs that have a huge potential street value