NR566 Final Exam Study Guide
Week 5
- Prevention of osteoporosis with hormone replacement therapy Tara (p.433) Hormone
therapy reduces postmenopausal bone loss and thereby decreases the risk
for osteoporosis and related fractures. Therapy is lifelong and the risk for
harm is increased.
Hormone therapy should only be considered for women with significant risk for
osteoporosis, and only when that risk outweighs the risks of hormone therapy.
Meds are: raloxifene (Evista), bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate {Fosamax}),
calcitonin (Miacalin), and teriparatide (Forteo). Encourage patients to prevent bone
loss by ensuring adequate intake of calcium and Vit D, performing regular weight-
bearing exercises, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use.
- When and when not to use progestin for hormone replacement therapy and why
Tara (p.430-432)
When: Menopausal hormone therapy
Why: The primary noncontraceptive use of progestins is to counteract the
adverse effects of estrogen on the endometrium in women undergoing
menopausal HT.
When: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Why: Heavy irregular bleeding that occurs when progesterone levels are
insufficient to balance the stimulatory influence of estrogen on the
endometrium. Treatment goals with
administration of progestins are to stop the bleeding and establish a regular
monthly cycle.
When: Amenorrhea
Why: Progestins can induce menstrual flow in selected women who are
experiencing amenorrhea.
When: Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma
Why: Progestins can provide palliation in women with metastatic endometrial
carcinoma, but they do not prolong life. Endometrial hyperplasia, a
potentially precancerous condition, can be suppressed with progestins.
Benefits derive from counteracting the proliferative effects of estrogen.
When: Other uses - Supports early pregnancies, prevention of preterm birth (Makena)
Why: Progestins can be used to support early pregnancy in women with corpus
luteum deficiency syndrome and in women undergoing in vitro fertilization
(IVF). One progestin (hydroxyprogesterone acetate (Makena) is approved for
preventing preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy and a history
of preterm delivery.
When not to: Women with no uterus
Why: Do not prescribe progestins to women who have undergone a
hysterectomy.
- Local vs. systemic estrogen options and why one would be chosen over the other Tara
Intravaginal: Estrogens for intravaginal administration are available as inserts, creams, and vaginal
rings. The intravaginal inserts (Imvexxy, Vagifem, Yuvafem), creams (Estrace Vaginal, Premarin Vaginal),
and one of the two available vaginal rings (Estring) are used only for local effects, primarily treatment
of vulval and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause.
,The other vaginal ring (Femring) is used for systemic effects (e.g., control of hot flashes and night
sweats) as well as local effects (e.g., treatment of vulval and vaginal atrophy).
Parenteral: Although estrogens are formulated for intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM)
administration, use of these routes is rare. IV administration is generally limited to acute, emergency
control of heavy uterine bleeding.
- Transdermal estrogen therapy has fewer adverse effects Tara
Compared with oral formulations, the transdermal formulations have four
advantages:
•The total dose of estrogen is greatly reduced (because the liver is bypassed).
•There is less nausea and vomiting.
•Blood levels of estrogen fluctuate less.
•There is a lower risk for DVT, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
- Management of oral contraceptives (OCs) Jennifer Jacques
o How to change patients from one combination of oral contraceptives to
another.
When one combination OC is being substituted for another, the change is best
made at the beginning of a new cycle. Pg 440
o How to initiate treatment (when in the cycle is it best to start- may
vary based on type of contraceptive)
The 28-day regimens are subdivided into four groups: monophasic, biphasic,
triphasic, and quadriphasic (four-phasic) (see Table 51.5). In a monophasic
regimen, the daily doses of estrogen and progestin remain constant throughout
the cycle of use. In the other regimens, the estrogen, progestin, or both change
as the cycle progresses. The biphasic, triphasic, and quadriphasic schedules
reflect efforts to more closely simulate ovarian production of estrogens and
progestins. However, these preparations appear to offer little or no advantage
over monophasic OCs.
Most 28-day cycle products are taken in a repeating sequence consisting of 21 days of an
active pill followed by 7 days on which either (1) no pill is taken, (2) an inert pill is taken, or
(3) an iron-containing pill is taken. The sequence begins on either the first day of the
menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after the onset of menses. With the first option,
protection is conferred immediately; hence no backup contraception is needed. With a
Sunday start, which is done to have menses occur on weekdays rather than the weekend,
protection may not be immediate; hence an alternate form of birth control should be used
during the first 7 days of the pill pack. With both options, each dose should be taken at the
same time every day (e.g., with a meal or at bedtime). Successive dosing cycles should
commence every 28 days even if there is breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Pg 441
o What teaching needs to be done
Educate patients on proper protocol for missed doses (depending on medication
type and cycle). Effectiveness of oral contraceptives can be reduced with some
medications, including certain common antibiotics. Pg 446
, o What baseline data is needed?
Assess for history of hypertension, diabetes, thromboembolism,
cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, breast cancer. Urine pregnancy
test. Pg 446
o Contraindications for OCs
Contraindications to use include current pregnancy, history of thromboembolus,
breast cancer, and women over 35 years of age who continue to smoke tobacco.
Use with caution in women with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease. Pg
446
- How to achieve an extended cycle with oral contraceptives Jennifer Jacques
To achieve an extended schedule, the user would simply purchase four packets
of a 28-day product (each of which contains 21 active pills) and then take the
active pills for 84 days straight. Pg 442
- What behaviors would make one birth control method more effective over another?
Akunna Aguwa
o Be able to evaluate a patient scenario and suggest an appropriate birth
control method (type of prescribed contraception: OC, long-term methods,
IUD, etc)
Page 437-438: Among women of higher weight oral contraceptive’s efficacy is
somewhat reduced. Possible reasons include decreased blood levels of the
hormones, sequestration in adipose tissue, and altered metabolism. Combination
oral should be avoided by women with certain cardiovascular disorders as well as
by women older than 35 years old who smoke. An alternative method is preferred:
diaphragm, progestin-only pill, or IUD.
- What effect does CYP450 inhibitors or inducers have on OCs? Akunna Aguwa
o Recall examples of CYP450 inhibitors and inducers from NR565 (Chapter 4 in
textbook)
o How does this impact prescribing of OCs?
Page 441: CYP450 inducers like Phenytoin, carbamazepine, Rifampin, alcohol and
sulfonylureas can accelerate OC metabolism and thereby reduce OC effects.
Women taking OC in combination with any of these agents should be alert for
indications of reduced OC blood levels, such as breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
It may be necessary to either:
1. Increase the estrogen dosage of the OC.
2. Combine the OC with a second form of birth control.
3. Switch to an alternative form of birth control.
Week 5
- Prevention of osteoporosis with hormone replacement therapy Tara (p.433) Hormone
therapy reduces postmenopausal bone loss and thereby decreases the risk
for osteoporosis and related fractures. Therapy is lifelong and the risk for
harm is increased.
Hormone therapy should only be considered for women with significant risk for
osteoporosis, and only when that risk outweighs the risks of hormone therapy.
Meds are: raloxifene (Evista), bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate {Fosamax}),
calcitonin (Miacalin), and teriparatide (Forteo). Encourage patients to prevent bone
loss by ensuring adequate intake of calcium and Vit D, performing regular weight-
bearing exercises, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use.
- When and when not to use progestin for hormone replacement therapy and why
Tara (p.430-432)
When: Menopausal hormone therapy
Why: The primary noncontraceptive use of progestins is to counteract the
adverse effects of estrogen on the endometrium in women undergoing
menopausal HT.
When: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Why: Heavy irregular bleeding that occurs when progesterone levels are
insufficient to balance the stimulatory influence of estrogen on the
endometrium. Treatment goals with
administration of progestins are to stop the bleeding and establish a regular
monthly cycle.
When: Amenorrhea
Why: Progestins can induce menstrual flow in selected women who are
experiencing amenorrhea.
When: Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma
Why: Progestins can provide palliation in women with metastatic endometrial
carcinoma, but they do not prolong life. Endometrial hyperplasia, a
potentially precancerous condition, can be suppressed with progestins.
Benefits derive from counteracting the proliferative effects of estrogen.
When: Other uses - Supports early pregnancies, prevention of preterm birth (Makena)
Why: Progestins can be used to support early pregnancy in women with corpus
luteum deficiency syndrome and in women undergoing in vitro fertilization
(IVF). One progestin (hydroxyprogesterone acetate (Makena) is approved for
preventing preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy and a history
of preterm delivery.
When not to: Women with no uterus
Why: Do not prescribe progestins to women who have undergone a
hysterectomy.
- Local vs. systemic estrogen options and why one would be chosen over the other Tara
Intravaginal: Estrogens for intravaginal administration are available as inserts, creams, and vaginal
rings. The intravaginal inserts (Imvexxy, Vagifem, Yuvafem), creams (Estrace Vaginal, Premarin Vaginal),
and one of the two available vaginal rings (Estring) are used only for local effects, primarily treatment
of vulval and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause.
,The other vaginal ring (Femring) is used for systemic effects (e.g., control of hot flashes and night
sweats) as well as local effects (e.g., treatment of vulval and vaginal atrophy).
Parenteral: Although estrogens are formulated for intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM)
administration, use of these routes is rare. IV administration is generally limited to acute, emergency
control of heavy uterine bleeding.
- Transdermal estrogen therapy has fewer adverse effects Tara
Compared with oral formulations, the transdermal formulations have four
advantages:
•The total dose of estrogen is greatly reduced (because the liver is bypassed).
•There is less nausea and vomiting.
•Blood levels of estrogen fluctuate less.
•There is a lower risk for DVT, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
- Management of oral contraceptives (OCs) Jennifer Jacques
o How to change patients from one combination of oral contraceptives to
another.
When one combination OC is being substituted for another, the change is best
made at the beginning of a new cycle. Pg 440
o How to initiate treatment (when in the cycle is it best to start- may
vary based on type of contraceptive)
The 28-day regimens are subdivided into four groups: monophasic, biphasic,
triphasic, and quadriphasic (four-phasic) (see Table 51.5). In a monophasic
regimen, the daily doses of estrogen and progestin remain constant throughout
the cycle of use. In the other regimens, the estrogen, progestin, or both change
as the cycle progresses. The biphasic, triphasic, and quadriphasic schedules
reflect efforts to more closely simulate ovarian production of estrogens and
progestins. However, these preparations appear to offer little or no advantage
over monophasic OCs.
Most 28-day cycle products are taken in a repeating sequence consisting of 21 days of an
active pill followed by 7 days on which either (1) no pill is taken, (2) an inert pill is taken, or
(3) an iron-containing pill is taken. The sequence begins on either the first day of the
menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after the onset of menses. With the first option,
protection is conferred immediately; hence no backup contraception is needed. With a
Sunday start, which is done to have menses occur on weekdays rather than the weekend,
protection may not be immediate; hence an alternate form of birth control should be used
during the first 7 days of the pill pack. With both options, each dose should be taken at the
same time every day (e.g., with a meal or at bedtime). Successive dosing cycles should
commence every 28 days even if there is breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Pg 441
o What teaching needs to be done
Educate patients on proper protocol for missed doses (depending on medication
type and cycle). Effectiveness of oral contraceptives can be reduced with some
medications, including certain common antibiotics. Pg 446
, o What baseline data is needed?
Assess for history of hypertension, diabetes, thromboembolism,
cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, breast cancer. Urine pregnancy
test. Pg 446
o Contraindications for OCs
Contraindications to use include current pregnancy, history of thromboembolus,
breast cancer, and women over 35 years of age who continue to smoke tobacco.
Use with caution in women with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease. Pg
446
- How to achieve an extended cycle with oral contraceptives Jennifer Jacques
To achieve an extended schedule, the user would simply purchase four packets
of a 28-day product (each of which contains 21 active pills) and then take the
active pills for 84 days straight. Pg 442
- What behaviors would make one birth control method more effective over another?
Akunna Aguwa
o Be able to evaluate a patient scenario and suggest an appropriate birth
control method (type of prescribed contraception: OC, long-term methods,
IUD, etc)
Page 437-438: Among women of higher weight oral contraceptive’s efficacy is
somewhat reduced. Possible reasons include decreased blood levels of the
hormones, sequestration in adipose tissue, and altered metabolism. Combination
oral should be avoided by women with certain cardiovascular disorders as well as
by women older than 35 years old who smoke. An alternative method is preferred:
diaphragm, progestin-only pill, or IUD.
- What effect does CYP450 inhibitors or inducers have on OCs? Akunna Aguwa
o Recall examples of CYP450 inhibitors and inducers from NR565 (Chapter 4 in
textbook)
o How does this impact prescribing of OCs?
Page 441: CYP450 inducers like Phenytoin, carbamazepine, Rifampin, alcohol and
sulfonylureas can accelerate OC metabolism and thereby reduce OC effects.
Women taking OC in combination with any of these agents should be alert for
indications of reduced OC blood levels, such as breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
It may be necessary to either:
1. Increase the estrogen dosage of the OC.
2. Combine the OC with a second form of birth control.
3. Switch to an alternative form of birth control.
