Pharmacology – unicyclemedic

Prescribing

Hepatotoxic drugs

Mr Isoniazid is sitting at a cafe playing cards over a bottle of wine and a Guinness with his best pal Dave. Dave is taking oestrogens because he wanted a pair of breasts to complement his favourite mushroom hat, and Mr Isoniazid recently bought a plastic halo that he wears on a stick above hisContinue reading “Hepatotoxic drugs”

Drugs causing intracranial hypertension

Isotretinoin Steroids Lithium Tetracyclines Levothyroxine Combined oral contraceptive Cimetidine

Naloxone

Lithium side effects

Lithium is an interesting drug with some important side effects. It’s one of those drugs that has a very narrow therapeutic window (0.4-1.0mmol/L) and above 1.5mmol/L you’re at significant risk of developing toxicity. It’s used primarily as a mood stabiliser in conditions such as Bipolar disorder and refractory depression, and it is important toContinue reading “Lithium side effects “

Induce or Inhibit?

Which common drugs inhibit CYP450 enzymes and which induce them? Here’s a couple of stories to help remember them – it’s by no means a comprehensive list, but should highlight the common drugs to remember. Inducers – Mr Rifampicin Mr Rifampicin tries St John’s Wort for the first time, which causes him to haveContinue reading “Induce or Inhibit?”

Category Archives: Pharmacology