Getting the most out of your Arthritis medicines & your

Pharmacist Kathy Maxwell

Community PharmacistHillpark Care Chemist, Manurewa

Pharmacist’s Role

Pharmacists are the scientist, the medicine adviser, the clinical practitioner, the social carer, the medicine maker, the medicine supplier, the manager, the business person and the unremarkable character. (List from 43 pharmacists in UK)

A student pharmacist described us as a link between chemical and health science.

Pharmacist’s Role

For me its all about people. Your Pharmacist plays a major role in your care

New Zealand Community Pharmacists• LTC

– helping with adherence

• What is adherence? – it is an agreed plan between a health professional and the

patient

What do we want medicines to do?

• Manage symptoms – especially pain and without side effects

• Prevent damage to joints• Maintaining Joint function

What do we want medicines to do?

Management requires continual review and ongoing lifestyle modifications.

This is a general presentation and if you have any concerns about what I say please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Making the most of your medicines

• Medication is an important element in arthritis management, together with lifestyle measures and other therapies.

• Take them at the right time and in the right way• Look out for side effects or signs that you aren’t getting

any better (or getting worse)

Making the most of your medicines

• If you need medicines regularly make sure you always have enough of your medicines.

Your community pharmacist can help you with reminder services- Compliance packs - A phone call to say you need a new script

Questions to ask about your medicines

• What am I taking this medicine for?• Does this new prescription mean I should stop

taking any other medicines?• How long and when should I take my medicine?

Questions to ask about your medicines

• Are there any food, drinks, or other medicines to avoid while I’m taking this medicine? Why is that important?

• What are the potential side effects? What should I do if I think I have a side effect?

• What should I do if I miss a dose?

Questions to ask a health professional

• If you are thinking about stopping a medicine, or not taking a medicine you have been prescribed

• You are finding it difficult to take a medicine as it was prescribed

• You are worried or concerned about side effects that you are experiencing

• You find it difficult to remember to take your medicines

Health Literacy

“a person’s ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services in order to make

informed and appropriate health decisions”

What your Pharmacist can do

• Help you to understand your medicines so that you can make decisions about your treatment.– What they do?– How to use them?

• Discuss your experiences of taking or not taking medicines, your views about what medicines mean to you and how medicines affect your daily life.

What your Pharmacist can do

• Look for ways for you to get, take or use your medicines that fit in with your daily life.

• If you have any problems with your medicines help you to find solutions that you find acceptable.

Types of medications used in Arthritis

• Analgesics • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • Cox-2 inhibitors • Corticosteroids • Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) • Biologic response modifiers (BRMs).

NSAIDs – Making safer choices

• What is bpac? • NSAIDs ( Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) can be

associated with serious adverse effects in susceptible patients

• Paracetamol is the first choice as an analgesic

NSAIDs – Making safer choices

• Naproxen (up to 1000mg per day) or ibuprofen (up to 1200mg per day) are recommended as first line NSAIDs based on cardiovascular risk

• Lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible time.• Your age and the condition being treated needs to be

considered

How NSAIDs work

• The cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes produce prostaglandins (Pg) following the metabolism of omega-6-polyunsaturated fatty acid (arachidonic acid).

• Pg are chemical messengers that mediate inflammation, fever and the sensation of pain.

• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs are produced through the prevention of Pg production by inhibition of COX activity.

Cox-1 and Cox-2 – The difference

• Cox-1 are widely distributed in the body, but concentrated in the cells of the stomach, kidneys and endothelium and in platelets– Pg catalysed by COX-1 activity control renal perfusion,

promote platelet aggregation and provide gastroprotection by regulating mucous secretion. Inhibition of COX-1 can cause adverse GI effects.

Cox-1 and Cox-2 – The difference

• COX -2 is induced by inflammation and is present in macrophages, leukocytes and synovial cells.– Pg formed via COX-2 activity mediate pain, inflammation,

fever and inhibit platelet aggregation

NSAIDs that inhibit both COX -1 and 2 are called Non-Selective NSAIDs, while those that inhibit COX-2

enzymes are termed COX-2 inhibitors

NSAIDs and COX inhibition

• Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac are non-selective, however diclofenac inhibits more COX-2 than Cox-1

• Meloxicam – low dose mainly inhibits COX-2, as dose increases then COX-1 is increasingly inhibited. Funded with Special Authority.

• Celecoxid and etoricoxib – COX 2 inbibitors. Not funded.

Adverse Effects of NSAIDs

• Cardiovascular – COX-2 were developed because of less GI, but found that COX-2

activity blocks platelet aggregation (opposite to Aspirin) so more chance of a MI

• Gastrointestinal– increased risk with long acting formulations

• Renal failure – Block COX-2 then reduce blood flow to kidney– Problem in dehydration– Bigger problem in diabetes

• Hypersensivity reactions

Paracetamol

Compared to NSAIDs– Minimal GI toxicity– Little effect on blood pressure– No association with MI– No interaction with the anti-platelet effect of aspirin.

All medicines have risks and benefits

Risks

Benefits

Reducing the Risk of NSAID use

• Make sure that if you buy OTC products they don’t contain NSAIDs

• Consider risk factors – CV Disease, CKD, duodenal ulcers

• Watch for other products that may interact with NSAIDs– ACE inhibitors, diuretics, warfarin, dabigatran, aspirin

• Talk to your medical team

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

• Previous Cardiovascular event• Heart Failure (double risk – Triple Whammy)• Increase systolic blood pressure 2-3 mmHg

Gastrointestinal Complications

• GI risks double with NSAIDs (COX-1 produces protective gastric mucous)

• Take NSAIDS with food or milk so stomach is not empty• May take a PPI prophylactically regularly

Complementary Therapies

• Likely Effective– Glucosamine sulphate (osteoarthritis)– SAMe (osteoarthritis)

• Possibly Effective (Selection)– Acupuncture (osteoarthritis)– Avocado (osteoarthritis)– Beta-carotene (osteoarthritis)– Borage (Rheumatoid arthritis)– Bromelain (osteoarthritis)– Fish Oil (Rheumatoid arthritis)– NZ Green Lipped Mussel (Osteo and Rheumatoid arthritis)

What can your Pharmacist offer you?

• Clinically researched information• Put you in contact with support mechanisms• Suggest some lifestyle options to help you manage

better• Someone to talk with around your condition• Referral onto other health professionals such as

physiotherapists• How to prevent gout attacks?• Condition information

Thank you