Anesthesia
Pharmacology: Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Practice Questions
Choose the correct answer for each question.
Off-label use for treating patients exhibiting severe inflammatory bowel disease or patients exhibiting either steroid resistance or steroid dependence.
Mercaptopurine (Purixan)
Azathioprine (Azasan)
Both
Neither
Concerning mercaptopurine and azathioprine:
Both of these agents are "prodrugs."
These agents are classified as cytotoxic thiopurine derivatives.
The active agents are ultimately 6-thioguanine nucleotides (after metabolic conversions
of parent compounds)
A & B
B & C
A & C
A, B & C
Azathioprine and mercaptopurine:
May be used in ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease.
These agents may be used as an adjunct to biologics and glucocorticoids.
Both
Neither
Timeframe to clinical response for azathioprine or mercaptopurine:
Within 12 hours
About one day
Weeks to months
Long-term risks associated with steroid administration for treating IBD is considered lower than that associated with azathioprine or mercaptopurine administration.
True
False
Favorable clinical responses to azathioprine-mercaptopurine is likely in up to two-thirds of patients treated.
True
False
Adverse effects due to azathioprine or mercaptopurine treatment may be classified as:
Idiosyncratic
Dose-related
Both
Neither
Pancreatitis, following azathioprine-mercaptopurine treatment, is an example of one of the most serious idiosyncratic-type reactions, affecting about 5% of patients.
True
False
Primary dose-related adverse effect associated with azathioprine-mercaptopurine treatment is bone marrow suppression.
True
False
Up to 10% of patients receiving azathioprine-mercaptopurine for IBD may experience adverse effects, occurring at any time after treatment initiation.