NAPLEX Exam Results

The following NSAIDs belong to the propionic acid derivatives group - Ibuprofen - Ketoprofen - Naproxen - Fenoprofen - Flurbiprofen - Oxaprozin whereas piroxicam belongs to the class of Enolic acid derivative which also includes other agents like meloxicam and Nabumetone. They are non-selective COX inhibitors and act by preventing the production of certain prostaglandins.

It is reasonable to add triglyceride-lowering medications such as fibrates or niacin to prevent pancreatitis in those with triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL, which applies to this patient as his TG level is 640 mg/dL . C. is wrong because gemfibrozil should not be initiated in patients on statin therapy because of an increased risk for muscle symptoms and rhabdomyolysis. Fenofibrate may be considered concomitantly with a low- or moderate- intensity statin when triglycerides are above 500 mg/dL,2, however he is on a high intensity statin therapy. For niacin, the IR dose should start at 100 mg TID2 and niacin does not lower triglyceride levels as much as fibrate do.4 Fenofibrates are dose adjusted for renal function lower than 60 mL/min to 54 mg/mL, so this dose is appropriate for this patient because of his renal function being above 60 mL/min. The best option is fenofibrate 162 mg daily, but this needs to be monitored for any symptoms of muscle pain exhibited by the patient, especially as the patient is at a higher risk due to being a diabetic. Fish oil is not a first line agent to treat hypertriglyceridemia.

Thiazolidinediones may cause fluid retention through proposed mechanism of increasing reabsorption in the collecting duct of the kidney and increasing vascular permeability in adipose tissue. Bile acid sequestrants work in the intestine to bind bile acids which doesn’t affect fluid retention. GLP-1 receptor agonists work to activate these receptors to secrete insulin from beta pancreatic cells/decrease glucagon secretion/ increase satiety and doesn’t affect fluid retention. SGLT2 inhibitors actually cause increase of fluid elimination through the kidneys. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work in the gut to decrease carb absorption/digestion and have no affect on fluid retention.

Primary treatment for stenotrophomonas maltophilia is SMX-TMP. Meropenem, ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin and vancomycin have no coverage.