Drug interactions in arthritic patients
Article Abstract:
Many patients with arthritis are elderly and often take medications for several other diseases. Arthritics frequently take pain-killers and anti-inflammatory drugs such, as aspirin and ibuprofen. Those who have more severe rheumatoid arthritis are likely to take a disease-modifying drug as well. Thus, the potential for adverse drug interactions is considerable in patients with arthritis, especially those who are elderly. Drug interactions were assessed in 100 patients (70 female) who were referred to a rheumatology clinic for varied types of arthritis. Of these patients, 87 were taking 3 or more drugs, 39 were taking 6 or more, and 19 were taking 10 or more medications. Other disorders being treated included congestive heart failure, insomnia, thyroid disorders, and iron and vitamin deficiencies. At least one potential drug interaction was identified in 55 patients, with 8 patients at risk for at least 3 interactions, 6 patients at risk for 4 interactions, and one patient at risk for 10 drug interactions. However, actual problems from interactions were identified in only 11 patients. In 6 patients, the problem was drowsiness, which was relieved by a change in medication. Six of the 11 patients had blood tests that indicated the presence of a kidney problem, but changing their medications was more difficult, leading to worsening of arthritis or heart failure. The study is reassuring, suggesting that few adverse drug interactions actually occur in patients with arthritis, and most of these are relatively minor and easily correctable. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Drug toxicity
Article Abstract:
Because every drug produces side effects, both the benefits and the risks must be considered in prescribing any drug. Information on adverse side effects is obtained from clinical trials or human studies and postmarketing surveillance, which is the reporting of unfavorable side effects by physicians once the drug has been approved for marketing. Among antirheumatic drugs, the use of analgesics, pain-relieving agents, has been associated with toxic effects on the kidney, whereas non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and skin. NSAID therapy is associated with the formation of peptic ulcers, which are lesions occurring in the lower esophagus, stomach, or initial portion of the intestine; impaired kidney function; skin reactions, such as photosensitivity; and liver disorders. New dosage forms, such slow-release preparations, have been developed to reduce the incidence of NSAID toxicity. The risk of NSAID-related toxicity is increased among the elderly, pregnant women, and breast-feeding mothers. Toxicity associated with the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic agents that are less commonly used, and with steroids, is reviewed. In addition, factors that may predict drug toxicity due to various antirheumatic agents, and the risks associated with drug interactions, are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Relationship between genotype for the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis
Article Abstract:
There appears to be only a slight association between the genetic marker CYP2D6 and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and no association between this marker and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers analyzed the frequency of disease characteristics in 54 patients with AS and 53 patients with RA and tested the patients and 267 healthy volunteers (controls) for the presence of CYP2D6. More patients with AS, particularly the younger patients, carried the CYP2D6 marker. There was no association between the presence of CYP2D6 and individual features characteristic of AS, including psoriasis, iris inflammation, arthritis, and intestinal inflammation. There also was no association between the presence of CYP2D6 and individual features characteristic of RA, including eye and tear duct complications, nodules, and inflammation of membranes surrounding the lungs.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Rheumatoid arthritis and infection: a population approach. Is poor pregnancy outcome a risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Abstracts: Listeria monocytogenes infection in a prosthetic knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Familial aggregation of undifferentiated spondylitis associated with HLA-B7
- Abstracts: Weak association between HLA-DR4 and rheumatoid arthritis in Chilean patients. Genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis and mild inflammatory arthritis: 1. major histocompatibility complex class I, II, and III allotypes
- Abstracts: Bronchoalveolar lavage in ankylosing spondylitis. Temporomandibular joint osseous morphology in a consecutive sample of ankylosing spondylitis patients