#acute on chronic sinusitis | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kaydoespharmacy · 14 days

Text

Cold

Symptoms – sore throat, sneezing, runny/blocked nose, cough, mild fever, pressure in ears, headache, myalgia (pain in muscles)

Duration – 1-2 weeks, symptoms peak 2-3 days, incubation period 10-12 hrs

Referral criteria – suspected flu, earache not responding to analgesia, sinus pain not responding to decongestants, no improvement after 10-14 days self-medication

Complications - immunocompromised, who smoke, and with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and sickle-cell disease

Sinusitis – prolonged nasal congestion and facial pain

LRTI - acute bronchitis, acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and community-acquired pneumonia

Acute otitis media – common in younger patients

Differential diagnosis

Meningitis – high fever, drowsiness, blank expression, vomiting, loss of appetite, high pitched screaming, non-blanching rash, photophobia, severe headache, malaise

Upper airway obstruction – noisy breathing, drooling, inability to swallow.

Nasal foreign body – persistent discharge from 1 nose with no other symptoms

Management – paracetamol or ibuprofen for headache, muscle pain or fever – only continue use if distressed, change to other agent if not alleviated, don’t give both together

Paracetamol contraindicated in – liver/kidney problems, epileptic

Ibuprofen contraindicated in – pregnancy, perforated stomach, increased bleeding, severe HF, kidney or liver problems, high BP, asthma, hay fever

Intranasal decongestants – improve breathing and promote sleep and has fewer S/E than oral decongestants. Ephedrine HCL 0.5% nasal drops for 12 and older p 1-2 drops 4x daily for 1 week – contraindicated – diabetes, hypertension, hyper thyroidism, CVD, high BP, MAOI in last 2 weeks

Oral decongestants – relieve nasal congestion (phenylephrine) – max 1 week

Antitussive (cough) – dextromethorphan

Expectorants (guaifenesin)

Chlorphenamine or Beecham’s (contains phenylephrine and paracetamol) (Sedating antihistamine – dries up secretions)

Counselling points

Go to GP if

fever for more than 3 days

symptoms worsening after 5 days

symptoms not better after 10 days

follow up meeting

risk and complicated patients within the week

young children – 1 week

Headaches

Types of headaches

Primary – not associated with other conditions – migraines, tension types, cluster

Secondary – associated with other conditions – trauma/injury, vascular disorders, hyper-tension, withdrawal such as opioids, analgesics, or alcohol. Bacterial or viral infection.

Features of serious headache – referral

New severe or unexpected headache – sudden onset reaching max intensity 5 mins and new onset in over 50s

Progressive or persistent headaches that changed dramatically

Associated features – fever, impaired consciousness, seizure, stiffness, photophobia, neurological deficit, cognitive dysfunction, atypical aura (greater than 1 hour) or aura 1st time in patients using combined oral contraceptives.

Dizziness, visual disturbance, vomiting. Head trauma up to 3 months prior, triggered by coughing, sneeze, or physical exertion. Worsened by standing or lying down.

Compromised immunity

Diagnosis

Migraine without aura – at least 5 attacks lasting 4-72 hrs with unilateral location (half the face), pulsating, moderate to severe pain and aggravated by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity. Attack comes with nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia

Migraine with aura – 2 attacks with visual aura (zigzag lines or blind spots), pins and needles, speech/language symptoms, motor weakness, vertigo.

One aura spreading gradually for 5 mins and 2 or more occurring after

Each aura lasts for 5-60mins which is unilateral

Management – stop combined oral anticontraception – contraindicated

Ibuprofen 400mg, paracetamol 1g, advise med to be taken at start of attack – follow up 2 weeks

Tension type – recurrent episodes lasting 30 mins – 7 days with NO nausea or vomiting. May have phot/phono phobia

Bilateral (across head landscape), pressing or tight (not pulsating), mild to moderate pain, not aggravated by physical activity

Management – simple analgesia – paracetamol or NSAID

Identify comorbidities such as stress, mood disorders, chronic pain, sleep disorders to manage

Cluster headache – 5 attacks of severe/very severe unilateral orbital (around ONE eye), forehead or temporal pain lasting 15 mins to 3 hrs with nasal congestion, runny nose, eyelid oedema, sweating, facial slushing, fullness in ear or restlessness

Attacks occur between one every other day and 8 per day for more than half the time the disorder is active

Management – REFER

Advise to avoid triggers and risk of medication overuse, identify and manage comorbidities – insomnia, depression, and anxiety

Medication – occurs 15 days per month and have a pre-existing headache disorder. Regular overuse of drugs for 3 months

Management – withdrawal from medication and advice around this

Sinusitis

Sinusitis usually follows a cold and lasts less than 12 weeks

If over 12 weeks becomes chronic – risk groups are allergic rhinitis, asthma, immunosuppression

Symptoms

Adults

Nasal blockage (obstruction/congestion), nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, frontal headache, loss, or reduction of smell, altered speech indicating nose blocked. Tenderness, swelling. Redness over cheekbone, cough, headache worse when bending or lying down. Toothache.

Children

Nose block, discoloured nasal discharge, facial pain, pressure and or cough at day or night-time

Bacterial sinusitis

More than 10 days, discoloured, pussy discharge (from 1 nose), severe local pain (1 side), fever over 38 degrees, deterioration after milder sickness

Refer to hospital immediately

If they have symptoms of acute sinusitis and;

Severe systemic infection

Intraorbital or periorbital complications, including periorbital oedema or cellulitis, displaced eyeball, double vision, or new reduced vision

Intracranial complications, including swelling over frontal bone, symptoms or signs of meningitis, severe frontal headache, or focal neurological signs

Refer to GP

Severe symptoms, painkillers don’t work, symptoms worsen, symptoms don’t improve after 1-week, recurrent infection, sudden worsening, antibiotic failure, unusual or resistant bacteria, recurrent episodes, immunocompromised, allergic cause

Treatment

Acute with symptoms less than 10 days

DON’T OFFER ANTIBIOTIC, assure that it usually self resolves without bacterial complications. Symptoms managed

Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, headache, and fever

Use nasal saline spray or decongestants spray

Clean nose with saltwater solution (boil 1 pint of water and add 1 teaspoon of salt and bicarbonate soda. Wash hands, stand over sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour small amount of solution into it. Sniff water into 1 nostril at a time, breath through mouth and allow water to pour into sink, don’t let it go into your throat. Do 3x daily)

Acute for 10 days or more with no improvement

High dose nasal corticosteroid for 2 weeks for over 12s (mometasone 200mcg 2x daily)

Counsel that It may improve symptoms but won’t make the infection any shorter, could have systemic effects, may be difficult to use correctly.

Symptoms should get better 3-5 days of treatment – REFER if not

1st line antibiotic for adult

If not life threatening - phenoxymethylpenicillin 500 mg four times a day for 5 days.

Is systemically unwell, symptoms of more serious illness or high risk of complications - co-amoxiclav 500/125 mg three times a day for 5 days.

Allergic or intolerant to penicillin - clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days.

Pregnant or intolerant to penicillin - erythromycin 250 mg to 500 mg four times a day or

Children 1st line

Phenoxymethylpenicillin

1 to 11 months, 62.5 mg four times a day for 5 days.

1 to 5 years, 125 mg four times a day for 5 days.

6 to 11 years, 250 mg four times a day for 5 days.

12 to 17 years, 500 mg four times a day for 5 days.

If very unwell - co-amoxiclav

1 to 11 months, 0.25 mL/kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 5 days.

1 to 5 years, 5 mL of 125/31 suspension three times a day or 0.25 mL/ kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 5 days

6 to 11 years, 5 mL of 250/62 suspension three times a day or 0.15 mL/kg of 250/62 suspension three times a day for 5 days.

12 to 17 years, 250/125 mg three times a day or 500/125 mg three times a day for 5 days.

If allergic or intolerant to penicillin – clarithromycin

Under 8 kg, 7.5 mg/kg twice a day for 5 days.

8 to 11 kg, 62.5 mg twice a day for 5 days.

12 to 19 kg, 125 mg twice a day for 5 days.

20 to 29 kg, 187.5 mg twice a day for 5 days.

30 to 40 kg, 250 mg twice a day for 5 days.

12 to 17 years, 250 mg twice a day or 500 mg twice a day for 5 days.

2nd line – if symptoms are still worsening after 1st line treatment for 2-3 days

Adults – co-amoxiclav 500/125mg TD x 5 days

Children – specialist advice

ANTIHISTAMINES can be prescribed for allergic triggered sinusitis

Diabetes type 1

Body stops making insulin and the blood sugar (glucose) level goes extremely high - persistent hyperglycaemia (random plasma glucose of 11mmol/l or more). We must control glucose level with insulin injections, healthy diet and reduce the risk of other health complications. Typically occurs in children and young adults.

Symptoms of T1D- Frequently thirsty, pass a lot of urine, tiredness, weight loss and feeling generally unwell. Develops quite quickly, over days or weeks, as the pancreas stops making insulin.

Pathophysiology of T1D- Autoimmune disease (environmental & genetic factors). Antibodies attach to the beta cells in the pancreas destroying the cells that make insulin (pancreatic islet cells).

Diagnosing T1D- Simple dipstick test to detect glucose in a sample of urine BUT only way to confirm the diagnosis is to have a blood test to look at the level of glucose in your blood (level of 11.1 mmol/L or more in the blood sample indicates that you have diabetes) PLUS a fasting blood glucose level is taken (level of 7.0 mmol/L or more indicates that you have diabetes).

Management- Should be offered multiple daily injection basal-bolus insulin regimens as the first-line choice. Twice-daily insulin detemir should be offered as the long-acting basal insulin therapy. Once-daily insulin glargine may be prescribed if insulin detemir is not tolerated, or if a twice-daily regimen is not acceptable to the patient. Insulin detemir may also be offered as an alternative once-daily regimen. There are multiple types of insulin…

Rapid Acting- Insulin Aspart (Novorapid®), Lispro (Humalog®) and Glulisine (Apidra®)

Short Acting- Soluble insulin (Actrapid®)

Intermediate Acting- Isophane (Insulatard® or Humulin I®) & NPH - neutral protamine Hagedorn

Long Acting- Insulin glargine (Lantus®), detemir (Levemir®)

Combination insulins (biphasic)- e.g., Novomix 30®, Humalog Mix 25®, Humalog Mix 50®, Humulin M3® and Insuman Comb 50®

Diet & Lifestyle- Diet low in fat, salt, and sugar and high in fibre and with plenty of fruit and vegetables. If you are overweight try to lose weight, increase your physical activity even if it’s only going for a walk (community groups)

Other Health Complications- Get regular checks with your GP, podiatrist, and optometrist. Also get the flu jab every year.

Complications – microvascular, macrovascular (MI, stroke), metabolic (diabetic ketoacidosis) and hypoglycaemia (blood glucose less than 3.5mmol/l)

Psychological complications – anxiety, depression, and eating disorders and those at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases

Suspect DKA in diabetics – greater than 11mmol/L

Increased thirst and urine frequency, inability to tolerate fluids, persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, visual disturbance, lethargy, fruity smell on breath, deep sighing when breathing and dehydrated

Management

HbA1c levels target of 48mmol/mol or lower - Measure 3-6 months but more often if not controlled

Self-monitoring – need glucose monitor, lancet, finger pricking device and testing strips

Taught at diagnosis and review technique 1 yearly.

Before breakfast, 2 hours after meals, during illness, before driving, if they feel hypo – at least 4 times a day including before and after meals and before bed.

More frequency required (up to 10x daily) if

Target HbA1c not achieved, frequency of hypo increases, during illness, before, during and after sports, planning, during and while breastfeeding.

Target glucose readings

Fasting plasma glucose level of 5–7 mmol/L on waking.

Plasma glucose level of 4–7 mmol/L before meals at other times of the day.

For adults who choose to test after meals, plasma glucose level of 5–9 mmol/L at least 90 minutes after eating.

Agree bedtime target plasma glucose levels with the person. This should:

Consider the timing of the last meal and its related insulin dose.

Be consistent with the recommended fasting level on waking.

Provide information of effects of food and drinks – carbohydrate training (match carb quantities to insulin doses)

Educate to be careful of body weight and diets, feasting and fasting, fibre and protein intake, diabetic foods and sweeteners, alcohol intake, matching carbs with insulin and physical activity

Advice on alcohol – avoid drinking on empty stomach, eat carb snack before and after drinking (extra insulin not required). Measure glucose more regularly and maintain it with carb intake. Alcohol can exacerbate or prolong hypoglycaemic effect.

Exercise – lower glucose levels and reduces CVD risk and can help weight

Sick day rules – never stop or skip insulin – dose may need altering seek advice. Check blood more frequently – 1-2 hours including in the night. Check blood or urine ketone levels – 3-4 hours including night and if 2+ or 3mmol/l or higher then contact GP immediately.

Maintain normal meal pattern where possible if not then replace meals with carb rich drinks, milk, fruit juices and sugary drinks. Aim to drink at least 3L of fluid to prevent dehydration.

Offer multiple daily injection basal-bolus insulin regimens as the first-line choice to all adults with type 1 diabetes.

Offer twice-daily insulin detemir as the long-acting basal insulin therapy

Offer a rapid-acting insulin analogue injected before meals for mealtime insulin replacement

If a multiple daily injection basal–bolus insulin regimen is not possible and a twice-daily mixed insulin regimen is preferred

Insulin pump therapy is recommended as a treatment option for adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus if condition isn’t controlled by treatment

Diabetes type 2

The body still makes insulin however, you do not make enough insulin for your body's needs OR the cells in your body do not use insulin properly (insulin resistance means you need more insulin than normal make to keep glucose levels down. Occurs mainly in people aged > 40 but inc diagnosed in younger people, commonly associated with obesity, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, and a tendency to develop thrombosis (CV risk).

Symptoms of T2D- Gradual (weeks-months) and can be quite vague at first. Frequent thirst, passing large amounts of urine, tiredness, which may be worse after meals. Some people also develop blurred vision and frequent infections, such as recurring thrush.

Management- Metformin HCl 1st choice for treatment of all patients (à weight loss, red risk of hypoglycaemic events and long-term CV benefits). Has an anti-hyperglycaemic effect, lowering both basal and postprandial blood-glucose conc. It does not stimulate insulin secretion and therefore, when given alone, does not cause hypoglycaemia. If metformin contra-indicated/not tolerated trial MR formulation or initial treatment should be a sulfonylurea e.g. gliclazide OR a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor e.g. linagliptin OR Pioglitazone.

Insulin- can be added if intensification of treatment needed. If needed, bedtime basal insulin should be initiated, and the dose titrated against morning (fasting) glucose.

Diet & Lifestyle- Avoid foods heavy in saturated/trans fats, beef and processed meats, sugary drinks, high-fat dairy products and salty/fried foods & have fibrous fruits and vegetables, high omega-3 fatty acid food and poly/monosaturated fats. Lose weight and inc physical activity (min 5 x 30 min brisk walk / week) and smoking cessation. Also see optician regularly in case of damage to retina, GP and podiatrist.

EXTRA INFO FOR BOTH

Holiday- Pack about x3 the amount of insulin needed, test strips, lancets, needles or glucose tablets you would use, in case you need it (take cool bag to avoid insulin getting too hot). Carry your medicine in your hand luggage just in case checked-in bags go missing or get damaged (insulin can freeze and render it unusable). If injecting (i.e. will have needles/sharps) get a letter from your GP that says you need it to treat diabetes. If you use a pump or CGM, check with your airline before you travel about taking it on board as may require paperwork for medical equipment. If you use a pump, pack insulin pens in case it stops working. Take plenty of snacks in case there are any delays. Do not put your pump through the hand luggage scanner – let airport security know so they can check it another way.

<18 & Diabetic- Paediatric diabetes care team until 18 will help w injecting insulin, testing blood glucose levels, and diet. They can give advice on school or nursery and talk to your child's teachers and carers. Initially, every 1 - 2 weeks but will eventually be every 3 months.

Check Ups Needed- Annually get feet checked by podiatrist to check for loss of feeling in your feet, and for ulcers and infections. Get your eyes checked to check for any damage to blood vessels in the eyes, and checks for high blood pressure, heart, and kidney disease by your GP, also ensure to book in annually for a flu jab. Every 3 months have a blood sugar test (HbA1C test) checks your average blood sugar levels and how close they are to normal when newly diagnosed, then every 6 months once you're stable (~48-53 mmol/mol recommended).

Education- free education courses to help you learn more about and manage your diabetes, your GP will need to refer you. Diabetes UK run local charities for extra support, their website plus the NHS website offers a lot of diabetes information and advice. Maybe invest in a medical ID to carry w you.

Extra Lifestyle Advice- Eat a meal w carbs (e.g. pasta) before you drink alcohol and make sure people around you can recognise a hypo, choose diet soft drink mixers where possible, check your blood glucose regularly/before bed/the next day, drink plenty of water the next day. Avoid hypos by eating the right amount of carbs before, during and after exercise, adjust your insulin and check your blood glucose regularly, drink plenty of water. Recommended to have HbA1c <48mmol/mol when pregnant as high blood glucose levels can harm your baby, especially in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, also a risk of having a large baby, which can cause complications during labour. Speak to your diabetes team If you're planning to get pregnant or if you get pregnant unexpectedly.

Item for disposal

Method of disposal

Needles

Sharps bin

Lancets

Sharps bin

Used blood test strips

Sharps bin

Leftover/expired insulin

Sharps bin/return to pharmacy

DVLA- tell the DVLA you’re diabetic or you could get fined due to hypoglycaemia/low sugar levels crisis. Check your blood glucose no longer than 2 hours before driving, check your blood glucose every 2 hours if you're on a long journey, travel with sugary snacks and snacks with long-lasting carbs, like a cereal bar or banana. If you feel your levels are low: stop the car when it's safe, remove the keys from the ignition, get out of the driver's seat, check your blood glucose, and treat your hypo, don't drive for 45 minutes from when you feel normal again.

Sharps Removal- Patients issued a sharps bin from the diabetes clinic/hospital on first diagnosis. Some pharmacies offer this sharps disposal service, or the diabetes clinic do too. Can arrange w GP/LHB for sharps collection (Cardiff Council does NOT offer kerbside sharps disposal)

Other Technologies- Insulin Pump (attached to skin via tiny tube which is replaced every 2-3 days & pump moved to diff part of body) will deliver a set background amount of insulin into blood day and night, can add your extra mealtime insulin using the pump. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs) means you can check your sugar levels at any time (see patterns in your levels, sends an alert if glucose too high/low) but as interstitial fluid sugar readings are a few mins behind your blood sugar levels you'll still need to do finger-prick checks every now and then. It’s a sensor you attach to your abdomen which needs replacing every 7 days, but some models can be worn for months. Free Style Libre is a flash glucose monitoring system measures your glucose levels continuously throughout the day via interstitial fluid (few mins behind). Attach sensor to your arm and a reader will scan to see your sugar levels (can also use a smartphone app to scan the sensor), sensors usually last for 14 days.

Testing blood glucose

Glucose monitor, specific in-date test strips, primed lancing device and cotton wool pad.

PRIMING LANCET

Twist cap off lancing device

Place fresh lancet into device so grooves line up and twist off the cover, so the needle is visible – change lancet every time so you don't get skin infections

Replace device cap - it should click and then adjust the depth metre – how far the needle will puncture – this is personal preference

Pull sliding barrel at bottom of device back to prime the lancet

CALIBRATING MONITOR

Turn on monitor – put new in-date test strip inside it and test it with in-date control solution – to make sure readings are correct

Do this every time you open a new pack of test strips, if you damage your monitor and if you think the readings are wrong.

TESTING process

Wash hands with warm water and soap and dry. Then rub hands for 10 seconds – warms hands to improve blood flow to fingers

Turn on monitor and place strip inside and wait for it say it’s ready for blood

Place device firmly on side of the finger (less nerves so less painful) and press release button then remove device from site. - change fingers regularly to stop hardening of skin.

Wipe first drop of blood away with cotton pad, use second one to test make sure by touching the blood onto the test strip

If successful wipe blood with cotton pad and apply plaster

Note readings

Remove cap of device exposing lancet. Place lancet cover on table and press lancet hard into this blue plastic cover – this will cover the needle and make it easy to remove

Place lancet and cotton pad in bin

Injecting insulin

Inject in stomach, thighs, or buttocks. Inject an inch away from previous site. Prevents lumps – this reduces absorption of insulin.

check that its correct insulin and is in date. Always check manufacturer’s instructions.

Wash hands with soap and warm water

Attach needle to pen – peel back cover, screw cap onto pen, remove white outer cover and the green cover to expose needle – change needle every time

Dial to 2 units and push plunger so you can see insulin coming out – to make sure no air stuck in there – can take multiple goes in new pens

Set correct dose

Press directly into skin and inject slowly – count to 10

Remove needle straight without bending it

Use the white outer cap to remove the needle and dispose in yellow sharps bin

Asthma

Symptoms – episodic, worse at night/early morning, triggered by exercise, infection and exposure to cold air or allergens. Triggered by emotion and laughter in children. In adults by NSAIDS and BB use.

Common with atopic eczema, dermatitis and allergic rhinitis and family history

ACUTE EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA IN ADULTS

First-line treatment for acute asthma is a high-dose inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist (such as salbutamol) given as soon as possible. For patients with mild to moderate acute asthma, a pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer can be used. For patients with acute severe or life-threatening symptoms, administration via an oxygen-driven nebuliser is recommended, if available. If the response to an initial dose of nebulised short-acting beta2 agonist is poor, consider continuous nebulisation with an appropriate nebuliser. Intravenous beta2 agonists are reserved for those patients in whom inhaled therapy cannot be used reliably.

In all cases of acute asthma, patients should be prescribed an adequate dose of oral prednisolone. Continue usual inhaled corticosteroid use during oral corticosteroid treatment. Parenteral hydrocortisone or intramuscular methylprednisolone are alternatives in patients who are unable to take oral prednisolone.

IN CHILDREN OVER 2

First-line treatment for acute asthma is an inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist (such as salbutamol) given as soon as possible. For children with mild to moderate acute asthma, a pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer device is the preferred option. The dose given should be individualised according to severity and adjusted based on response. For children with acute severe or life-threatening symptoms, administration via an oxygen-driven nebuliser is recommended, if available. Parents/carers of children with acute asthma at home, should seek urgent medical attention if initial symptoms are not controlled with up to 10 puffs of salbutamol via a spacer; if symptoms are severe, additional bronchodilator doses should be given as needed whilst awaiting medical attention. Urgent medical attention should also be sought if a child's symptoms return within 3-4 hours; if symptoms return within this time, a further or larger dose (maximum of 10 puffs of salbutamol via a spacer) should be given whilst awaiting medical attention.

COPD

Symptoms - persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow obstruction, which is usually progressive and not fully reversible, exertional breathlessness, chronic/recurrent cough, or regular sputum production, wheeze

Treatment – education on condition and risk factors, smoking cessation, pneumococcal and flu vaccination yearly, treatment of associated comorbidities

1st line – SABA or SAMA to relieve breathlessness and improve exercise tolerance – reviewing medication, adherence, and inhaler technique regularly

THEN IF they have NO asthmatic features or no features of steroid responsiveness – offer LABA AND LAMA

If they continue to have day-to-day symptoms, consider 3-month trial of LABA+LAMA+ICS

If NO improvement go back to LAMA+LABA only but if it works continue and review annually

If they have asthmatic or steroid responsiveness features offer LABA+ICS if they have day to day symptoms of 1 severe or 2 moderate exacerbations a year, then offer LABA+LAMA+ICS

WITH ICS DISCUSS RISK OF USING ICS including pneumonia

Acute exacerbation of COPD – triggered by infections, smoking and environmental pollutants

Severe breathlessness, increased cough, increased sputum production and change in colour, increased wheeze, and chest tightness, cold or sore throat, reduced exercise tolerance, ankle swelling, increased fatigue, and acute confusion

FOR SEVERE exacerbation – ADMISSION

FOR non-severe – increase dose or freq of SABA and maybe change to nebuliser for ease of admission

If no contraindications with significant increase in breathlessness – offer 30mg oral prednisolone OD x 5 days or if caused by infection then amoxicillin 500mg TD x 5 days, doxycycline 200mg day 1, 100mg OD x 5 days, or clarithromycin 500mg BD X 5 days

Epilepsy

Cause – abnormal excessive or synchronous brain activity

Symptoms

Short-lived (less than 1 minute), abrupt, generalised muscle stiffening with rapid recovery — suggestive of tonic seizure.

Generalised stiffening and subsequent rhythmic jerking of the limbs, urinary incontinence, tongue biting —suggestive of a generalised tonic-clonic seizure.

Behavioural arrest — indicative of absence seizure.

Sudden onset of loss of muscle tone — suggestive of atonic seizure.

Brief, 'shock-like' involuntary single or multiple jerks —suggestive of myoclonic seizure.

Management

During seizure – protect from injury by placing in recovery position. If tonic-clonic seizure is prolonged (more than 5 mins) or recurrent – emergency buccal midazolam or emergency admission

Annually reviewed – assess seizure control, how it’s affecting QOL, adverse effects and compliance with drug

Women of childbearing age – 13 to 60

Epileptic women not treated with drugs or on non-enzyme inducing antiepileptic (except lamotrigine) – contraceptive options are same as general population

Woman on exyzme-inducing drugs – drug can reduce effectiveness of combined hormonal contraception, progestogen-only pills, transdermal patches, the vaginal ring, and progestogen-only implants. OFFER medroxyprogesterone acetate injections or an intrauterine method (copper intrauterine device or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)

Woman on lamotrigine – oestrogen containing contraceptive reduces efficacy of lamotrigine

USE progesterone only instead but educate them to report signs of lamotrigine toxicity

Category 1 (ensure the person is maintained on a specific manufacturer's product) — phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone.

S/E – common and usually mild, advise to report and can usually be fixed with dose adjustment or change of drug

Sedation and dizziness, suicidal thoughts and behaviour, acute psychotic reactions, weight gain and loss, skin rashes.

Safe in pregnancies – lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are safest options

Anxiety

Uncontrollable widespread worry and range of cognitive and behavioural symptoms

Slow onset and symptoms don’t usually improve but are better controlled with intervention

Diagnosis – worry associated with restlessness, insomnia and muscle tension, fatigue, poor concentration, irritable. ALWAYS ask about alcohol and drug use including OTC

Treatment

Establish diagnosis and severity of anxiety and any other comorbidities (usually insomnia and depression and whichever is the most pressing is treated first) – explaining the disorder and treatment opportunities and starting them with active monitoring of symptoms either self or through regular meetings

Offer CBT – non-facilitated self-help for 6 weeks, individual guided self-help, educational groups

High intensity CBT, applied relaxation or drug therapy

Drug therapy – 1st line is SSRI (sertraline, paroxetine, or escitalopram) 2nd line SNRI (duloxetine or venlafaxine). If both contraindicated or intolerable then Pregabalin.

Review effectiveness and ADR every 2-4 weeks during first 3 months then every 3 months.

Counsel on common effects during treatment initiation (suicidal thoughts and worsening of anxiety) but importance of reporting this instead of withdrawing from drug

SSRI – don’t take NSAIDS or if prescribed take with PPI

For pregnant women step 3

DO NOT give benzo or antipsychotics in primary care

Benzodiazepines (SCH 3 and 4)

Most commonly used anxiolytics and hypnotics

Short rem relief (2-4 weeks only) of anxiety that is severe, disabling, or causing the patient unacceptable distress

use to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate

Sch 4 CDs, apart from temazepam

Sch 3 (CD no register) and midazolam

Pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines

Sedation, sleep induction

sleep, but can still cause arousal

decreased anxiety, amnesia at higher doses

muscle relaxation (both midbrain and spinal effects)

anticonvulsant activity

Reduced aggression

Depression

Persistent low mood and/or loss of pleasure in most activities and range of emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioural symptoms

Diagnosis

Low mood

Loss of interest/pleasure from normally pleasurable activities (anhedonia)

Reduced energy (fatigue)

Low self-esteem; feelings of guilt

Inability to think/concentrate

Altered psychomotor activity

Sleep disturbance; early morning wakening

Altered appetite

Suicidal thoughts

Diagnosis requires 2 core symptoms plus 2 or more others present for most of the day on most days for the last 2 weeks

Differential diagnosis

Ensure symptoms are not caused by physical illness, alcohol, medication, or illicit drug use

The symptoms aren’t caused by normal grief (death of family) – maybe consider very long grief

Never been a manic (severe levels of high mood) or hypomanic (to a reduced level) episode

Treatment

Dependant on accurate assessment and diagnosis of depression

Psychological

CBT, behavioural activation, interpersonal psychotherapy, problem solving therapy

Social

Identify stressors and work on strategies/signposting to other supporting organisations

Biological – moderate to severe

Antidepressant therapy or antidepressant and antipsychotic combination therapy in psychotic depression

Drug classes

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) e.g., amitriptyline

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) e.g., fluoxetine

Serotonin and NA uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) e.g., venlafaxine

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Irreversible e.g., phenelzine (MAO-A and B)

Reversible e.g., Moclobemide

Atypical antidepressants e.g., Mirtazapine

Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) e.g., Atomoxetine

TCA - S/E – Short lasting (days) sedation, confusion, and Incoordination in both normal and depressed patients, antimuscarinic effects, dry mouth, blurred vision, decreased mucus production. Dangerous CV effects in OD

Severe depressive at risk of suicide shouldn’t be given TCA

Interactions – potentiation of the effects of alcohol – alcohol is a depressant and will only compound the depressive effects

SSRI’s - S/E – nausea, anorexia, insomnia, and loss of sexual function

Less anticholinergic side-effects and less dangerous in OD than TCAs. Prolonged QTc – cardiovascular complications risk with citalopram interactions – NSAIDs, Anticoagulants, triptans

SNRI’s - S/E – significant withdrawal effects – have short half-lives so need to be taken regularly to avoid these effects. Complex nature of TCAs makes them difficult to prescribe to complex patients unlike SNRIs

Interactions – NSAIDs and anticoagulants

MAOIs - S/E – antimuscarinic effects, restlessness as a result of CNS excitation

Interactions – serious food and drug reactions e.g., cheese (tyramine from food such as cheese is broken down by MAO. The lack of breakdown from MAOIs can lead to tyramine actively displacing neurotransmitters such as 5HT, DA, NA – causing hypertensive crisis

VERY IMPORTANT COUNSELLING POINTS

No other drugs or illicit drugs with this

Side effects

Drug and food interactions are unacceptable.

“Cheese reaction”: this occurs when amines that are generated during fermentation, like tyramine, are ingested and absorbed from the gut. (The main danger is ripe cheese, yeast products - Marmite).

Large rise in systemic tyramine indirectly results in a large release

of catecholamines

Hypertensive crisis characterised by throbbing

headache, tachycardia & cardiac arrhythmias.

Same can occur with drugs (Pseudoephedrine)

Atypical antidepressants - S/E- sedation, weight gain, increased appetite – good in patients with anorexia or depression causing loss of appetite or weight

Blood disorders – counselling

Withdrawal issues

Can be used with other antidepressants that cause sleep issues

Interactions – alcohol

FDA black box warning – suicide

Treatment

Mild symptoms – psychological therapy

Persistent mild symptoms or moderate to severe symptoms – combination of psychological and drug therapy

1st line treatment usually SSRIs

2nd line switch to alternate SSRI

3rd line switch to different class (normally an SNRI)

Practical issues

Initiating an antidepressant can cause feelings of anxiety consider co-prescribing short course of benzodiazepines to counteract the anxiety

During the first few weeks of antidepressant treatment can have worsening suicidal thoughts with improved motivation so ensure counselling and regular reviews

Consider prescribing limited supply of meds to reduce chance of OD

Side effects often transient and improve with time

Caution when switching antidepressants – table of different half-lives and how to taper them

Treatment approach

If no response to 3 antidepressants, then check concordance, review diagnosis, and consider if social problems are maintaining depression

Consider augmentation – addition of drug to the current therapy

Mirtazapine – sleep

Quetiapine – mood

Aripiprazole

Lithium – mood stabiliser

Lamotrigine – mood stabiliser

Electroconvulsive therapy

Response

2-4 weeks usually for response to be seen (longer in elderly)

Improvement greatest during weeks 1-2

If no response during 2–4-week period, consider first increase in dosage then if again limited efficacy, then switch to alternative

Extended duration if treatment trial will lead to additional benefit in some

Differences between drugs

Mirtazapine, escitalopram, venlafaxine, and sertraline

more efficacious than

duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and reboxetine

Reboxetine less effective overall

Escitalopram and sertraline

better tolerated than

duloxetine, venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and reboxetine

Preventing relapse

Relapse rate 3-6 months post remission is 50% with no drug treatment

A/D treatment reduces absolute risk of relapse by about 50%

After 1st episode continue for 6-9 months

After 2nd episode continue for 12 months

After 3rd episode continue for 2 years

Insomnia – difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed the next morning

Causes

Recreational drugs

caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis)

Medicinal drugs

anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, b-blockers, SSRIs, MAOIs, steroids, decongestants, Alpha agonists and antagonists, narcotic analgesics

Drug withdrawal

from CNS depressants (eg alcohol, anxiolytics/hypnotics)

Physiological

Diet, late night exercise, shift work (night and evening work)

Environmental

Noise, bright lights, extremes of temperature

Medical conditions

Psychological - anxiety, depression, grief, stress

Non-psychological eg chronic pain, gastric reflux, asthma, sleep apnoea

Types of insomnia

Primary insomnia - insomnia not attributable to a medical psychiatric or environmental cause

Secondary insomnia- insomnia secondary to another condition

Transient (2-3 days) – caused by changes in routine (for eg. change in time zone, alteration of shift work)

Short term (<3 weeks) – may result from temporary environmental stress

Chronic insomnia (>3 weeks) –usually secondary to other conditions

Treatment

FIRST LINE IS ALWAYS NON-DRUG treatments e.g., lifestyle changes and CBT

Drug therapy – Hypnotics

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepine-like drugs (Z-class)

melatonin

BEFORE hypnotic is prescribed the cause of insomnia must be established and where possible, underlying factors should be treated

NICE recommends

if hypnotic medicine is the appropriate way to treat one for only short periods of time and strictly according to the licence for the drug. (Usually, 1-2 weeks and max 4 weeks) and should be prescribed on a weekly basis

Benzodiazepines

Most benzodiazepines

decrease time taken to get to sleep

in individuals who habitually sleep <6hr, the drug increases duration of sleep

Few short-acting BDZs recommended for insomnia (short-term treatment – max 2-4 weeks)

Should only be used when SEVERE, DISABLING or causing EXTREME DISTRESS

Benzodiazepine – like drugs

Z -Hypnotics – Zaleplon, zopiclone, zolpidem (Short acting – t1/2 < 8 hr)

Short term use only (2-4 weeks)

Lack of anxiolytic effects –drowsiness or dizziness - just induce sleep

Melatonin treatment

Prolonged release melatonin available for primary insomnia in over 55yr olds (can be used up to 3 weeks)

Antihistamine gen 1 – can cause drowsiness

Anxiolytics

Kalms, Kalms day, Karma, Karmamood, Potters Newrelax, Relaxherb, Stressless

Hops, valerian, passionflower, passiflora, vervain, St John’s Wort

Sedatives

Kalms night, Kalms sleep, Dormesean, Niteherb, Nytol herbal, Potters Nodoff, sominex herbal

Hops, valerian, vervain, skullcap, wild lettuce, passiflora

Some herbal remedies do contain active ingredients so be careful of interactions

Lifestyle changes – promote sleep hygiene

establishing fixed times for going to bed and waking up

trying to relax before going to bed

maintaining a comfortable sleeping environment avoiding napping during the day

avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late at night

avoiding exercise within four hours of bedtime

avoiding eating a heavy meal late at night

avoiding watching or checking the clock throughout the night

using the bedroom mainly for sleep if possible

avoid going on phone, looking at screens immediately before bed or whilst in bed

ADHD

Persistent developmentally with inappropriate levels of over reactivity, inattention and/or impulsivity

Diagnosis – based on observation there are no biomed tests

Symptoms – 9 symptoms across 2 domains

Hyperactivity/impulsivity

Inattention

Can be combined type or dominant in one

ADHD – Predominantly inattentive type

Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.

Has difficulty sustaining attention.

Does not appear to listen.

ADHD – predominantly Hyperactive/impulsive type

Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.

Acts as if driven by a motor.

Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.

Difficulty waiting or taking turns.

Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

ADHD – Combined type

Patient meets both sets of inattention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria

ADHD – Differential diagnosis

Sensory impairment – leading to under or over-sensitivity to triggers

Epilepsy and related states – could present as inattention

Effects of head injury

Acute or chronic medical illness

Poor nutrition – linked to poor behavior – not directly linked to ADHD

Sleep disorders – linked to poor behavior – not directly linked to ADHD

Side effects of medication

School or classroom difficulties – bullying or other factors

Large links to exposure to smoking and drinking during pregnancy, childhood illness such as meningitis or other viral infection, low birthweight/prematurity. HIGH heritability

Treatment

Mild-moderate –1st line - parent-training/education programmes with parent and child, group based or individual sessions. Teachers receive ADHD training and offer intervention in schools.

2nd line – CBT or social skills training

3rd line – DRUG THERAPY ONLY FOR SEVERE and should be offered along with psychological, behavioural, and educational interventions

Drug therapy

Methylphenidate – generally first choice

Atomoxetine - if other tics, Tourette's syndrome, anxiety disorder, stimulant misuse or risk of stimulant diversion are present

D-amphetamine – ONLY if other drugs ineffective at raised doses – CD2 high risk in addiction and dependence and misuse so used as last resort

Decide which drug treatment to use based on:

their different adverse effects

potential problems with compliance (for example, if a mid-day dose is needed at school)

potential for drug diversion (taken by others) and misuse

preferences of the child or young person and their parent or carer

When a decision has been made to treat children or young people with ADHD with drugs, healthcare professionals should consider: –

methylphenidate for ADHD without significant comorbidity

methylphenidate for ADHD with comorbid conduct disorder

methylphenidate or atomoxetine when tics, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety disorder, stimulant misuse or risk of stimulant diversion are present

atomoxetine if methylphenidate has been tried and has been ineffective at the max dose, or the child intolerant to low or moderate doses of methylphenidate.

Atomoxetine

Closely observe children or young people taking atomoxetine for agitation, irritability, suicidal thinking, and self-harming behavior, particularly during the initial months of treatment, or after a dose change.

Liver damage in rare cases (usually presenting as abdominal pain, unexplained nausea, malaise, darkening of the urine or jaundice).

Treatment of adults

In adults, methylphenidate normally first line treatment

Consider atomoxetine or dexamphetamine if symptoms do not respond to methylphenidate or the person is intolerant to it ~6 weeks.

Selection of appropriate medication

Immediate-release preparations if more flexible dosing is required or during initial titration to using methylphenidate, consider determine correct dosing levels

If there is a choice of more than one drug, use the drug of lowest overall cost

modified-release preparations for convenience…

their pharmacokinetic profile,

improving adherence,

reducing stigma (because the drug does not need to be taken at school)

reducing problems of storing and administering controlled drugs in schools

abuse liability

AUTISM

Symptoms

Socialization

Impaired use of non-verbal behaviors to regulate interactions

Delayed peer interactions, few or no friendships, and little interaction

Absence of seeking to share enjoyment and interests

Delayed initiation of interactions

Little or no social reciprocity and absence of social judgment

Communication

Delay in verbal language without non-verbal compensation (gestures)

Impairment in expressive language and conversation, and disturbance in pragmatic language use

Treatments

NEED early diagnosis and defined biomarkers

Currently intervention is through family and educational support

Only some specific programs have an evidence base

Aim is to ‘improve the functional status…through skill acquisition in core areas’

Eg developing relationships

Achieving social and environmental milestones through play

Positive reinforcement of social communication

Pharmacological treatments for co-morbidities

Developmental

Hyperactivity/impulsivity (see ADHD)

Psychiatric

SSRIs, other antidepressants for depression

atypical antipsychotics for OCD

SSRI or a2 agonists for anxiety

Behavioural

Atypical antipsychotics (irritability, aggression)

Sensory

Neurological

anticonvulsants and fits, a2 agonists for tics

Gastrointestinal

Sleep disruption

melatonin and clonidine

Dementia

Symptoms –

Higher cognitive function affected

Memory, thinking, comprehension, learning capacity, language (speaking and understanding it)

Daily living activities/emotional behaviour (non-cognitive symptoms)

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) – include agitation, apathy, depression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, irritability, and wandering

Treatment -

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine) — as monotherapies for managing mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine (a N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist):

As monotherapy for managing Alzheimer's disease for people with moderate Alzheimer's disease who are intolerant of, or have a contraindication to, AChE inhibitors, or for people with severe Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to an AChE for people with established moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease who are already taking an AChE

For people with non-Alzheimer's dementia the use of AChE inhibitors or memantine is unlicensed, but they may be prescribed by a specialist for people with:

Mild to moderate dementia with Lewy bodies:

Donepezil or rivastigmine are recommended first line.

Galantamine is an option if donepezil and rivastigmine are not tolerated.

Severe dementia with Lewy bodies:

Donepezil or rivastigmine are recommended.

Vascular dementia:

AChE inhibitors or memantine are options if the person has suspected comorbid Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies.

Risperidone and haloperidol are the only antipsychotics licensed for treating non-cognitive symptoms of dementia, although other antipsychotics are often prescribed off-label for this purpose.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

NMDA receptor antagonist

Cholinesterase inhibitors for mild to moderate AD (eventually stop working)

NMDA receptor antagonist for severe AD and moderate AD in some cases

Treatment must be started only by a specialist clinician

Rheumatoid arthritis

Inflammatory disease causing persistent symmetric joint synovitis

Presents as pain and joint stiffness with heat and swelling progressing at rest and after periods of inactivity with malaise, fatigue, fever, and weight loss

Risk factors – smoking, eating large amounts of red meat, drinks excessive coffee

Symptoms

Joints

Pain

Swelling

Stiffness

Systemic

Fatigue, depression, irritability

Anaemia

Flu-like symptoms, such as feeling generally ill, hot, and sweating

Pain worse in morning

Treatment

Drugs, mild exercise (enhance flexibility of joint and muscle strength), lifestyle changes (rich antioxidant diet, no smoking)

Main types of RA meds

NSAIDs (short term symptomatic relief) – reduce inflammation. OTC (ibuprofen, naproxen). POM (celecoxib, etoricoxib)

S/E – GI irritation, ulcers (use at lowest dose and take with food, use PPI to lessen effects)

Caution – asthmatics and renal impairment and patients with increased CV risk

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – 1ST LINE for active RA (methotrexate, sulfasalazine)

S/E – Nausea, diarrhoea, oral ulceration, alopecia, cough, SOB, bone marrow suppression – CAN BE REDUCED by co-prescribing FOLIC acid 1mg daily

Biological therapies (type of DMARD) – used when DMARDS don’t control RA

Glucocorticoids – short term treatment when starting new DMARD for rapid symprom control - also used in flares

Analgesics (painkillers)

Drug Treatment Schedule

Start two DMARD regime once diagnosed, using titration regimens

Use anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), paracetamol with or without corticosteroids until effective

Review after 6 months: increase dose or switch as clinical condition determines.

Patient counselling in RA

Place of drugs in therapy

Onset of action

Side effects

Immunosuppression

Regular painkillers

Regular monitoring including blood tests

Dexterity aids, prescription services

Osteoarthritis

Predominantly non-inflammatory and caused by cartilage loss from synovial joints and bone remodelling due to excessive and repeated overloading on weight bearing joints or stress of a joint over tome and specific injuries

Risk factors – genetic, age, gender, obesity, damage, occupational, and stress

Symptoms

Pain – tends to be worse when using the joint and at end of the day (Worsens on use, resolves at rest)

Stiffness – feel stiff after rest, usually wears off as you get moving

Grating or grinding sensation (crepitus) – joints creak or crunch as you move

Swelling – may be caused by osteophytes (bone outgrowth) or caused by synovial thickening and extra fluid

Muscles around joint look thin/wasted

Unable to use joint normally – doesn’t move as freely or far as normal

Joints give way – muscles have weakened, and joint is less stable

Management

Provide information on sources of advice and support

Advice on self-care strategies such as;

Weight loss, local muscle strengthening exercises and aerobic fitness training

Appropriate footwear, local heat, or cold packs

Odder psychosocial support – career and occupational health assessments if needed

Advice on simple analgesia

Arranging regular reviews to assess response to treatment

MANAGEMENT GOAL – pain reduction and symptomatic relief

First line:

Paracetamol regularly – 4g daily

Topical NSAIDs

Additional treatment:

Oral NSAIDs– not first line

-Start with ibuprofen

-Monitor for side effects

-Possible place for topical therapy

Topical capsaicin – adjunct and helpful in knee and hand – works by stimulating then decreasing the pain sensation

Corticosteroid injection: â pain and inflammation of flare-up

Role of pharmacist

Counselling:

dosage regimen

side effects

warnings

Monitoring for side effects

Weight loss advice

Physiotherapy advice

Compliance aids & living aids

Gout

Type of inflammatory arthritis – causes severe pain and damage to joints

Caused by abnormal high levels of uric acid in blood which deposits urate crystals in joints and tissue

3 phases

Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia – can remain in this stage for life

Acute attack of gouty arthritis – can vary from months to years before another attack

Final period of chronic tophaceous gout – nodules effecting joints

Treatment

Acute

Ice

Rest affected joint

NSAIDs – short term, 7-14 days, high dose, for pain relief and anti-inflammatory

Colchicine (Dose: 500mcg 2-4 x daily until symptomatic relief or SE (stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting)), steroids (used when NSAID and colchine is contraindicated or not useful)

Choice of drug dependant on comorbidities and renal function (NSAID cause fluid retention whereas colchicine doesn’t)

Colchicine use limited as it can have sudden toxicity at higher conc

Combination treatment can be used as well if monotherapy isn’t controlling the attack

Long term treatment to reduce urate

Lifestyle modifications (reduce dietary intake)

Drug therapy: Allopurinol (1st line – offer to all, 100mg od, increased in 100mg increments every 2-3 weeks) S/E – rashes

Febuxostat (2nd line only use when allopurinol intolerant or contraindicated – 60mg OD dose)

Monitor urate level – aim for < 360 μmol/L or 6 mg/dl (critical level)

Muscoskeletal

Sprain

Commonly ankle, wrist, thumb, knees – pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, disabled use and no weight

Strain

Common in legs and lower back – pain, swelling, bruising, red, and reduced function

BOTH

Self-limiting gets better in 4-6 weeks and full recovery in 12 weeks

Non-pharma advice

PRICE (Protect, Rest (48-72hrs), Ice immediately after, Compression bandages and Elevate to reduce swelling

Reduce HARM (Heat, alcohol, running and massaging for 72hrs.

Avoid NSAIDs for 72hrs

Exercises for sprains

Gently move joint in all directions to increase and maintain flexibility (lack of movement can delay recovery BUT severe sprains with complete lack of movement rest for 10 days first)

Treatment – topical and oral analgesics

Refer – severe pain, possible break or fracture, no alleviation with OTC meds

Lower back pain

Symptoms – pain, tension, soreness, stiffness without underlying cause

6 weeks usual recovery can be up to 12 weeks

Advice

Back exercises, improve posture, yoga, avoid lying or sitting for too long, remain active.

Sleep in different positions, pillows between legs, under knees, hot baths, hot water bottles, ice packs.

Treatment

OTC – topical analgesics or co-codamol if still painful

Refer

No improvement in 3 days, continues for more than 6 weeks, pain travels higher, pain after injury, younger than 20, older than 50, pain affects sleep, unsteady on feet, unexplained weight loss

EMERGENCY

Pins and needles in back, genital, bum, both legs, lose urine or bowel control

Conjunctivitis

Symptoms

Bacterial

Viral

Allergic

Eyes affected

1 or 2

Both

Discharge

Pussy

Watery

watery

Sensation

Gritty

Itchy

Co-presenting symptoms

None

Cough/cold

Rhinitis

If pussy, red or gritty it is contagious – allergic ISNT contagious

Advice

Don’t wear contacts, hold cold flannel on eyes for few mins to cool them, use FBC water to gently wipe lashes and clean off crust and clean with cotton wool pad. Use a different one for each eye

Control spread by – reg wash hands with hot soapy water, cover mouth and nose when sneezing, don’t share towels or pillows and don’t rub eyes

Refer

Baby less than 28 days old with red eyes, allergic reaction, or spots on eyelids. For all – symptoms not resolved after 2 weeks

111 - Severe pain, sensitive to light, sudden changes to vision

Treatment

Viral – self-limiting, use hygiene and non-pharma advice

Allergic – Opticrom eye drops (Adults and child – 1-2 drops in each eye up to 4x daily)

Bacterial – over 2, chloramphenicol drops/ointment (Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis 1%w/w Eye Ointment) - apply a small amount of ointment in the affected eye 3-4 times daily for 5 days

Blepharitis

Symptoms

NOT contagious, rims of eyelids are inflamed, burning, soreness or stinging in the eyes, crusty lashes that stick together, itchy eyelids

Advice

Clean eyelids at least 1x daily, clean eyes even if symptoms clear, don’t wear contacts, or eye makeup

Cleaning eyes – soak a clean flannel/cotton wool in warm water and place on eye for 10 mins, gently massage eyelids for 30 secs, clean lids using cotton wool. Baby shampoo at 10:1 ratio good.

Refer

No improvement after 2 weeks of cleaning eyes

Treatment OTC

Brolene eye drops – 1-2 drops in each eye up to 4 x daily. If not better in 2 days refer

Dry eyes

Symptoms

Dry feeling, sensation of something in eye, burning, grittiness, itching, light sensitivity, over-blinking, redness, excess tears (randomly tearing)

Causes – over 50, contacts, digital screens, AC, windy/cold/dry/ dusty environment, smoking, alcohol, meds (antidepressants/BP) medical conditions (blepharitis)

Refer

Treatment failure after 2 weeks, change in eyelid shape

111 – severe pain and red, contact wearer with red eyes (could be an infection)

999 A&E – sudden change in sight, bursts of light sensitivity, severe headache/nausea, dark red eyes, injured/pierced eye, something stuck in eye

Advice

Clean eyes daily, take breaks when using screens, use screens below eye level, use humidifier, wear glasses instead of contacts

Treatment

Light lubricant – Optrex Double Action Drops for Dry and Tired Eyes - Apply 1-2 drops in each eye.

Hyaluronic Acid - Artelac Rebalance Drops, long lasting relief - Place 1 drop into the conjunctival sac 3-5 times daily or more frequently if required.

Hypromellose drops – 1-2 drops 3 x daily

Excessive ear wax

Symptoms – hearing loss, earache, noise/ringing, vertigo, dizziness, and nausea

Causes – narrow/damaged canals, hairy canal, skin condition affecting scalp around ear, inflammation of ear canal

Refer – not cleared in 5 days, badly blocked, severe, complete loss of hearing, likely infection

Advice – don’t use fingers or cotton buds to remove wax

Treatment

Olive oil drops – 2-3 drops in affected ear and massage around outside of ear BD x 7 days

Use dropper when lying down with head to one side to allow oil into ear, over 2 weeks then lumps should fall out, but symptoms should be better within 5 days

Otitis externa

Symptoms - pain, discharge, itch, irritation, external ear/canal appears red, swollen, eczema, deafness, skin swells, tender to touch

Refer – ear pain in children, inflamed pinna, unsuccessful treatment (after 4 days), hearing aids, excessive discharge (wax or pus), high fever, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, dizzy, stiff neck, rash, slurred speech, fits, light sensitivity

Advice – avoid under/over dressing feverish child, lower heating, offer regular fluids, avoid dummies when lying flat, give paracetamol/ibuprofen if child is unwell/distressed (not together)

Treatment

Acute localised (furunculosis) – infected hair follicles in outer-ear causing swelling and irritation

Treatment – hot flannel, oral analgesics, antibiotics if severe

Acute diffuse (over 3 months – more widespread inflammation of skin, bacterial/fungal infection or contact dermatitis due to irritant/allergens

Treatment – earwax plus or EarCalm

Otitis media

Symptoms – earache, discharge, hot, irritable, sleeplessness, ear pulling/rubbing, crying, temporary deafness

Refer – recurrent infections, no improvement in 3 days

Treatment

Self-limiting should be better in 3 days, single analgesics for pain

Hyperthyroidism

Too much thyroid hormones produced naturally

Symptoms

Tremor, warm sweaty palms, weigh loss despite increasing appetite, heat intolerance, diffused alopecia, hair thinning, tachycardia, diarrhoea

Advice

Healthy diet with foods rich in antioxidants, green leafy vegetables (broccoli, cabbage etc)

Vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acids and calcium rich foods. Smoking cessation

Treatment

Carbimazole (adjunct B blocker propylthiouracil for adrenergic symptoms) – block and replace regime

Combo of fixed high dose carbimazole and levothyroxine

Radioactive iodine destroys thyroid cells, surgery to remove some thyroid

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones caused by immune system attacking thyroid gland and damaging ait or by damage to thyroid that occurs during treatments for a hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer

Symptoms

Fatigue, muscle pain, weakness, weight gain, sensitive to cold, dry skin, brittle hair, nails, depression, reduced libido

Advice

Eat antioxidant rich food, seeds and nuts, tyrosine (meat, dairy, legumes)

Avoid – soy, iodine rick food, leafy green vegs, caffeine, alcohol – quit smoking, alcohol.

Inform GP if pregnant (needs treatment and monitoring during)

Treatment

Levothyroxine 1st line – dose depends on blood test and progression – take tablet at same time every day (MORNING) If taking too much causes sweating, chest pain, headaches, diarrhoea, vomiting. Supressing thyroid supressing hormone with high doses causes atrial fibrillation, stroke, osteoporosis

Cold sores

Symptoms

Simplex - Pain, burning, itching, tingling before lesions and lasts 6-48 hrs

Crops of vesicles burst and crust over and heal, commonly on lower lip and ends of mouth

Gingivostomatitis – fever, malaise, sore throat, painful nodules in cervix or under jaw, excessive salivation. Painful vesicles on a red swollen base that rupture to form ulcers inside mouth, covered with yellow/grey membranes

Refer – immunocompromised, unable to swallow, risk of dehydration, severe infection, complication, pregnant, recurrent

Treatment

Paracetamol/ ibuprofen for symptoms

Topical acyclovir/penciclovir OTC – use from onset of symptoms before lesions until lesions heal

OTC topical anaesthetic or analgesics, mouthwashes, or lip barriers – topical analgesics aren’t licensed in children

DON’T prescribe oral antiviral for healthy people

Consider prescribing oral antiviral for healthy people with episode of primary oral herpes simplex, recurrent labialis if lesions are severe, frequent, or persistent and recurrent

And for those who are immunocompromised

Should take at onset and until lesions have healed – minimum of 5 days

Choice of aciclovir or valaciclovir based on preference, dose, regimen, and adherence

Advice

Reassure its usually self-limiting and heals without scarring

Adequate fluid intake

Offer leaflets or websites for more info

Avoid kissing, oral until lesions fully healed, don’t share pillows, makeup, or lip balms. Don’t touch lesions other than when applying treatment – dab instead of rubbing. Wash hands after touching.

Athletes foot

Interdigital — most common; affects the lateral toe web spaces first; usually caused by Trichophyton rubrum.

Moccasin or dry — diffuse chronic scaling and hyperkeratosis affecting the sole and lateral foot; usually caused by Trichophyton rubrum.

Vesicobullous — least common; multiple small vesicles and blisters mainly on the arches and soles of the feet; usually caused by Trichophyton interdigital.

Risk – hot, humid, occlusive footwear excessive sweating, contaminated surfaces, immunocompromised

Advice

Wear well fitting, open footwear that keep feet cool and dry, replace old shoes that may be contaminated. Maintain good foot hygiene – wear different pair of shoes every 2-3 days. Wear cotton, absorbent socks, don’t scratch skin, after washing feet dry then well and between toes, don’t share towels and wash towel freq.

Treatment

Topical antifungal cream in mild, non-extensive disease

Terbinafine 1% cream (12 and over – apply thinly to affected area 1 or 2 daily for 7 days) or clotrimazole 1% cream (2-3 times daily and continue for 4 weeks minimum) okay for kids – OTC for some ages

Additional mild topical corticosteroid if there’s inflammation

Hydrocortisone 1% cream (OD for max 7 days)

Adult severe or extensive – oral antifungal with confirmed fungal infection

1st choice – terbinafine (250 mg once daily for 2–6 weeks, depending on the severity of infection)

2nd – itraconazole, Griseofulvin if not tolerated or contraindicated

Refer

Treatment failure, severe pain, got, painful and red (indicative of serious infection), infection spreads, diabetic patient, immunocompromised

Warts and verrucae

Warts – small, rough growths caused by infection of skin with HPV, form anywhere on skin most commonly on hand and feet

Verruca – (plantar wart) wart on sold of feet

Spread by direct contact, occur and clear spontaneously at any time or may take years

Common warts are firm and raised with a rough surface that resembles a cauliflower (common on knuckles, knees, and fingers).

Periungual warts are common warts around the nails that can be painful and disturb nail growth — nail biting is a risk factor.

Plane warts are usually round, flat-topped, and skin coloured or greyish yellow (common on the backs of hands).

Filiform warts have a finger-like appearance and may have a stalk (more common on the face and neck).

Palmar and plantar warts grow on the palms and the soles of the feet (verrucae). They often have central dark dots (thrombosed capillaries) and may be painful.

Mosaic warts occur when palmar or plantar warts coalesce into larger plaques on the hands and feet.

Not harmful and don’t come with symptoms and resolve with treatment

Advice

Reducing transmission and limit spread, keep feet dry, wear slippers or waterproof plaster in shower and communal areas. don’t share towels, socks, shoes. Don’t scratch lesions, bite nails or suck fingers with warts

Refer

Painful, facial, uncertain diagnosis, immunocompromised, extensively infected

Treatment

Only treated if painful, cosmetically unsightly, or patient request and persistent as the treatment is long and can have side effects.

Topical salicylic acid – up to 12 weeks

Duofilm® (salicylic acid 16.7% plus lactic acid 16.7%) — licensed for plantar and mosaic warts.

Bazuka® extra strength gel (salicylic acid 26%) — licensed for warts and verrucae.

Occlusal® (salicylic acid 26%) — licensed for common and plantar warts.

Salactol® (salicylic acid 16.7% plus lactic acid 16.7%) — licensed for warts, plantar warts, and verrucae.

Apply OD at night, file and soften area by soaking in warm water for 5-10 mins, peel of remaining film before administering next dose, don’t apply on healthy skin

Cryotherapy – every 2 weeks for max 6 treatments

Liquid nitrogen – only for older children and adults

Corns and calluses

Hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful

Corns – lumps of hard skin on knuckles and joints of toes

Callouses – larger patches of rough, thick skin

Both can be tender and painful

Refer

Diabetic, heart disease, circulation issues. Bleeding or puss, treatment failure after 3 weeks, severe pain

Advice

Wear thick, cushioned socks, wear wide, comfortable shoes with low heel and soft sole, use insoles or heel pads, soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them, use pumice stone regularly or foot file to remove hard skin. Moisturise.

Don’t try to cut them, walk, or stand for long period, wear high heels or tight pointy shoes, go barefoot

Treatment

Heel pads and insoles, OTC products, pain relief

Carnation brand caps for both – adhesive dressing

Fungal nail infection

Caused by dermatophyte and non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts

Symptoms

Discoloured, abnormal, small flaky white patches and pits on top of nail and becomes rough and eroded. Nail lifted, wite or yellow opaque streaks on one side of nail, scaling, thickening

Refer

Diabetic, severe, treatment failure, spread to other nails

Advice

Keep nails trimmed short and filed, don’t share clippers and files. Well-fitting shoes, cotton socks, maintain good foot hygiene, weak shoes in communal places, avoid nail trauma

Treatment

Not needed if patient not troubled by appearance and infection is asymptomatic

Advise antifungal treatment if – walking uncomfortable, distress, cosmetic, co-morbid complication, or complication

If dermatophyte or candida infection conformed – topical antifungal treatment 0f 50% of nail involved, 2 nails infected, contraindication to oral antifungal

Topical – amorolfine 5% mail lacquer – OTC apply 1 or 2 weekly to affected nail after gentle nail filing – 6 months minimum for fingernails, 12 months for toenails

If dermatophyte nail infection is confirmed:

Prescribe oral terbinafine first-line.

250 mg once a day for between 6 weeks and 3 months for fingernails, and for 3–6 months for toenails

Oral itraconazole if an alternative drug is indicated.

Prescribe as pulsed therapy 200 mg twice a day for 1 week, with subsequent courses repeated after a further 21 days.

If Candida or non-dermatophyte nail infection is confirmed:

Prescribe oral itraconazole first-line.

Prescribe as pulsed therapy 200 mg twice a day for 1 week, with subsequent courses repeated after a further 21 days.

Prescribe oral terbinafine if an alternative drug is indicated.

Prescribe 250 mg once a day for between 6 weeks and 3 months for fingernails, and for 3–6 months for toenails.

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