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Paracetamol Overdose

Paracetamol is absorbed from the gut and rapidly metabolised by the liver. A toxic metabolite is produced and glutathione is required to continue the…

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Genetic condition affecting the rods in the retina Loss of night vision, tunnel vision, loss of central vision, loss of colour vision Fundoscop…

Maculopaplar rash

Lithium

Can exacerbate psoriasis Loads of other interactions Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease renal excretion of lithium, thus …

Metronidazole

Drug Class Anaerobic antimicrobial Mechanism Broken down to toxic compounds within microbes with anaerobic…

Ciprofloxacin

Drug Class Quinolone Mechanism Broad spec bactericidal abx - inhibits DNA gyrase (needed to coil and replicate bacter…

Erythromycin

Drug Class Macrolide Mechanism Broad spec bacteriostatic abx - inhibits bacterial protein synthesis Typic…

Trimethoprim

Drug Class Antifolate abx Mechanism Decreases bacterial folate production so bacteria cannot synthesise DNA …

Cephradine

Drug Class Cephalosporin Mechanism Attach to penicillin binding proteins to interrupt cell wall synthesis …

Amoxicillin

Drug Class Broad spectrum bactericidal penicillin Mechanism Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by preventing cros…

Paracetamol

Drug Class Non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic Mechanism Weak inhibitor of COX  Don't really kno…

Morphine

Drug Class Opiate Mechanism Mimics endogenous opioids, acting on opioid receptors  Typical Dose …

Codeine

Drug Class Opiate  Mechanism Partial metabolic conversion to morphine - 1/6 potency Typical Dos…

Diclofenac

Drug Class NSAID Mechanism Reversible inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes → prostaglandin synthesis …

Colecalciferol

Drug Class Vitamin D Mechanism   Typical Dose 400-2000 units daily 400 units = 10 micrograms …

Cytochrome P450 dependant drugs

Dependant Phenytoin Theophylline Carbamazepine Tacrolimus and cyclosporine Digoxin Flecainide Sildenafil Simvastatin SSRIs SNRI…

Alendronate

Drug Class Bisphosphonate Mechanism Inhibits osteoclast bone reabsorption For optimal activity, enoug…

Carbimazole

Drug Class Anti-thyroid Mechanism Inhibits thyroid peroxidise which is necessary for thyroid synthesis …

Levothyroxine

Drug Class Thyroid hormone Mechanism Mimics endogenous thyroxine Typical Dose Initiall…

Metformin

Drug Class Biguanide Mechanism “Increases insulin sensitivity” ↓ gluconeogenesis&nb…

Glicazide

Drug Class Sulphonylurea Mechanism Stimulates insulin production in pancreatic β cells - th…

Insulin

Drug Class Peptide hormone Mechanism Lowers plasma glucose concentration: Glucose transport into fat…

Lamotrigine

Drug Class Anti-convulsant Mechanism Binds and inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels, stabilizing presynaptic neuron…

Metoclopramide

Drug Class Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist) Mechanism Blocks dopamine receptors in chemoreceptor trigger z…

Sodium Valproate

Drug Class Anti-convulsant Mechanism ↑ GABA content of the brain - inhibits GABA re-uptake …

Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage

All post-tonsillectomy haemorrhages should be assessed by ENT Secondary haemorrhage after a tonsillectomy is that which occurs over 24 hours post-…