QuestionQA
Concept
Chapter
#### Monitoring

The BNF advises to monitor lung function (in patients with a history of obstructive airway disease).

#### Overdoses

Overdosages with beta-blockers may cause cardiac effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, syncope, conduction abnormalities, and heart failure. Bradycardia is the most common arrhythmia, but some beta-blockers may induce ventricular tachyarrhythmias secondary to prolongation of QT interval (e.g. sotalol) or QRS duration (e.g. propranolol).
Non-cardiovascular effects include central nervous system effects (including drowsiness, confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, and in severe cases coma), respiratory depression, and bronchospasm.

Management
 - Airway protection 
 - Activated charcoal within 1 hour
 - IV Fluids
 
IV glucagon is the first-line management.
 
For symptomatic bradycardia, IV atropine may be used.

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Drug Calculations
Topic
90
Psychiatry
Dose of carbamazepine
= 500mg BD = 1000mg a day
Suppositories 125mg =100mg
Number of suppositories needed in a day
= 1000mg /100mg x 125mg
= 1250mg
6920
QuestionQAAnswer
1250
mg
A 45-year-old patient is admitted to Hyperacute Stroke Unit for left MCA stroke. SALT assessment concluded that he has unsafe swallow and kept him NBM. PMH Focal seizure DH Carbamazepine 500mg PO BD.


Suppositories of 125mg may be considered to be approximately equivalent in therapeutic effect to tablets of 100mg but final adjustment should always depend on clinical response.

What is the total dose (mg) of carbamazepine in suppositories that is needed in a day?