Pharma Tips-216

1101. Penicillin may cause antibiotic pseudo-membranous colitis which can be treated with vancomycin, cholestyramine, metronidazole, or bacitracin.

1102. Sulfonamides may displace sulfonylureas in the protein binding sites due to higher affinity.

1103. Cefoperazone can be safely administered in renal impairment.

1104. Cefuroxime is the only 2nd generation of cephalosporins that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), however, all 3rd generation can cross BBB.

1105. Azithromycin should be taken without food because food affects the drug bioavailability.

Pharma Tips-215

1096. Bromocriptine long treatment may produce pleural infusion, thickening, and pulmonary infiltrates.

1097. Haloperidol has the lowest sedation and the highest Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) among all antipsychotics.

1098. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is associated with haloperidol, depot fluphenazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, and prochlorperazine.

1099. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins such as; methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, and dicloxacillin.

1100. Otitis media can be treated with augmentin (amoxicillin + clavulanate).

Pharma Tips-214

1091. Metoclopramide increases the absorption of levodopa by enhancing gastric emptying.

1092. Sinemet treatment after several years may cause akinesia (inability to initiate movement), tremor, and rigidity; this is called the on-off effect of the sinemet.

1093. Drug holiday must be given in the treatment of sinemet to prevent down-regulation of dopamine receptors.

1094. Selegiline dose when exceeds 40mg/day will result in loss of MAO-B selectivity.

1095. Bromocriptine (Parlodel) has the longest duration of action among all Parkinson's drugs (~50hrs half-life).

Pharma Tips-213

1086.  MAOIs should be stopped 2-4 weeks prior to initiation of levodopa to avoid a hypertensive crisis.

1087. Astemizole and cisapride not to be used with fluvoxamine because may produce cardiac toxicity.

1088. Priapism has been reported with the use of trazodone and nefazodone.

1089. Lithium inhibits the uptake of noradrenaline (NA), Dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT).

1090. Antacids may increase the absorption of levodopa.

Pharma Tips-212

1081. Diphtheria vaccine is part of the DTP vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) and is given every 10 years.

1082.  Captopril, gold, and penicillamine maybe cause proteinuria.

1083. MAOIs need 3-4 weeks for full effect; they cause insomnia not to be used in the evening or at night.

1084. A washout period of 5 weeks before starting MAOIs after stopping fluoxetine, and 14 days before starting MAOIs after stopping TCAs.

1085. Fluoxetine not to be used within 14 days after stopping MAOIs.

Pharma Tips-211

1076. Protamine causes black stool.

1077. Alosetron is 5-HT3 antagonist is used to treat severe diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

1078. Trifluridine (viroptic) eye drops should be kept in the refrigerator.

1079. Influenza vaccine is given annually.

1080. Pneumonia vaccine is given every 5-10 years.

Pharma Tips-210

1071. Tramadol may cause seizures and increased with the concurrent use of MAOIs.
1072. Isoniazid (INH) may cause severe hepatitis.

1073. Ethambutol causes visual impairment and aluminium salts decrease its absorption.

1074. Baclofen may cause seizures and CNS depression.

1075. Co-administration of cyclobenzaprine and tramadol may increase the risk of seizures.