Medical Pharmacology Chapter 27: Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Practice Questions

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

Medical Pharmacology: Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Practice Questions