Medications for hepatic encephalopathy: Nursing pharmacology

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Notes

MEDICATIONS USED TO TREAT HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
DRUG NAME
lactulose (Constulose, Generlac, Kristalose, Enulose)
rifaximin (Xifaxan)
CLASS
Osmotic laxative
Antibiotic
MECHANISM OF ACTION
  • Degraded by the intestinal bacterial flora into metabolites like lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids like acetic acid
  • Metabolites partially dissociate to release hydrogen ions → convert ammonia into ammonium ions, which are excreted in the stools
  • Osmotically draw water into the lumen to help stools move faster through the gastrointestinal tract → reduce production and absorption of ammonia
  • Binds to and irreversibly inhibits the beta subunit of the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase → prevents transcription of bacterial proteins
  • Inhibits growth of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract → reduces the production of ammonia in the colon
INDICATIONS
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION
  • PO
  • PR
  • PO
SIDE EFFECTS
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Bloating
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypernatremia, hypokalemia)
  • Arrhythmias
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Flatulence
  • Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Pyrexia
  • Skin rash
  • Photosensitivity
  • Exfoliative dermatitis
  • Proteinuria and polyuria
  • Hypotension
  • Peripheral edema
  • Ascites
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Elderly or debilitated clients
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Children
  • Elderly clients
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
MEDICATIONS USED TO TREAT HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
DRUG NAME
lactulose (Constulose, Generlac, Kristalose, Enulose)
rifaximin (Xifaxan)
ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING
Assessment
  • Vital signs; neurological and mental status; confusion or lethargy, presence of asterixis
  • Laboratory test results; sodium and potassium, ammonia level
  • Diagnostic test results: EEG

Monitoring
  • Ammonia levels, fluid and electrolyte balance
  • Side effects
    • Rifaximin: Clostridioides difficile infection, including abdominal pain and cramping, as well as loose, watery and bloody stools
  • Desired outcomes: decreased serum ammonia levels, improved neurological and mental status
Administration
  • Confirm your client has easy access to a bathroom or bedside commode
  • Ensure fall precautions are in place
  • Immobile client: frequent checks for bowel movements; provide scrupulous skin and perineal care
  • PO
    • lactulose syrup: 15–30 mL
    • lactulose crystals: mix with 15–30 mL water or juice
    • NG tube: flush tube with water before and after dosing
  • PR
    • Dilute 300 mL lactulose syrup in 700 mL water or normal saline; administer via rectal balloon catheter; retain liquid for 30 minutes; repeat if retained for less than 30 minutes

CLIENT EDUCATION
  • Purpose of medication: helps to eliminate ammonia through the gastrointestinal tract to decrease symptoms
  • Administered three times each day to produce 2–3 soft bowel movements daily
  • Side effects: flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal cramping
  • Purpose of medication: helps reduce the growth of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract to decrease symptoms
  • Administered PO three times each day
  • Side effects: flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, peripheral edema, Clostridioides difficile infection

Transcript

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Hepatic encephalopathy refers to a life-threatening condition characterized by liver dysfunction, so the liver is unable to metabolize toxic substances, like ammonia, which is mainly produced in the gastrointestinal tract by the bacterial flora. As a result, these toxic substances can build up and travel to the brain, ultimately causing brain dysfunction. These clients can present with symptoms like insomnia or hypersomnia, mood changes, asterixis or flapping tremor, confusion, and even coma.

The two medications most commonly used to treat hepatic encephalopathy include lactulose, which is an osmotic laxative; and rifaximin, which is an antibiotic.

Okay, so lactulose is an indigestible and non-absorbable synthetic sugar that can be given orally or rectally. Once administered, lactulose gets broken down by the intestinal bacterial flora into lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids like acetic acid. These acidic metabolites partially dissociate to release hydrogen ions, which convert the ammonia generated into ammonium ions that get excreted in the stools.

Additionally, since lactulose is indigestible and non-absorbable, it stays in the lumen and pulls out water from the intestinal cells via osmosis. This lubricates the stool and helps it move faster through the gastrointestinal tract, leaving less time for the ammonia to be produced or absorbed.

Now, common side effects of lactulose include abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence, due to the production of methane by the intestinal bacteria that break down lactulose. In addition, lactulose can cause diarrhea, which can further lead to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances, such as hypernatremia and hypokalemia; and severe cases may result in arrhythmias. Finally, lactulose should be used with caution in clients with intestinal obstruction. Additional precautions should be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in elderly or debilitated clients, and in those with diabetes mellitus, as it may affect their blood glucose levels.