Claude Skills by dromlakhani

Bedside prescribing reference for Bemdec (bempedoic acid / NEXLETOL) — indication check, dose, statin co-prescribing safety caps, monitoring plan, warnings for hyperuricemia and tendon rupture, and special population guidance. Use when a clinician asks "can I start bempedoic acid", "Bemdec indication", "is bempedoic acid safe with my statin", "patient on Nexletol has joint pain or high uric acid", "bempedoic acid in CKD or liver disease or pregnancy", or any prescribing or monitoring question...

Performs corticotropin stimulation test to diagnose adrenal insufficiency when morning cortisol is indeterminate (3-15 µg/dL). Triggers include morning cortisol 3-15 µg/dL requiring further AI testing.

Administers immediate parenteral injection of 50–100 mg hydrocortisone for suspected adrenal crisis secondary to adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include hypotension, hypoglycemia, or acute illness in a patient with known adrenal insufficiency.

Clinicians educate adrenal insufficiency patients taking nondexamethasone glucocorticoids who initiate enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs about early signs of adrenal insufficiency. Trigger when an AI patient on nondexamethasone GC starts an enzyme-inducing AED such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, or oxcarbazepine.

In central hypothyroidism patients receiving levothyroxine who initiate enzyme‑inducing antiepileptic drugs, the guideline recommends checking free T4 at least 6 weeks after AED start and increasing the levothyroxine dose if free T4 falls below the target range. Triggers include: central hypothyroidism patient on levothyroxine starting antiepileptic drug such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, or oxcarbazepine.

Applies serum cortisol cutoffs (<3 μg/dL indicates central adrenal insufficiency; >15 μg/dL likely excludes it) when evaluating morning cortisol for suspected adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include morning cortisol measurement in suspected AI and use when interpreting morning cortisol levels for adrenal insufficiency workup.

In patients with adrenal insufficiency receiving dexamethasone replacement, the guideline suggests increasing the dexamethasone dose when enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs are co-administered. Trigger phrases include "AI patient on dexamethasone starts enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug" or "AI patient on dexamethasone requiring enzyme-inducing AED".

Recommends measuring serum cortisol levels at 8–9 AM as the first-line test for diagnosing central adrenal insufficiency. Use when starting diagnostic workup for suspected adrenal insufficiency; triggers include suspected adrenal insufficiency requiring initial cortisol testing.

Accounts for estrogen-induced elevation of total serum cortisol via increased corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) when evaluating adrenal reserve or hydrocortisone replacement adequacy. Triggered when assessing glucocorticoid adequacy in patients receiving estrogen therapy (e.g., oral estrogen replacement) or interpreting cortisol levels in estrogen-exposed individuals.

Recommends against using fludrocortisone for mineralocorticoid replacement in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency. Trigger phrases include: considering mineralocorticoid replacement for secondary adrenal insufficiency and secondary adrenal insufficiency patient needing mineralocorticoid replacement.

Recommends hydrocortisone replacement dosing of 15–20 mg total daily, administered as a single dose or divided doses with the highest dose given in the morning upon awakening and the second dose in the afternoon (two-dose regimen) or second and third doses at lunch and late afternoon (three-dose regimen). Use when initiating glucocorticoid replacement for adrenal insufficiency; triggers include diagnosing adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement.

Suggests testing HPA axis functionality before and after starting GH replacement in patients not receiving glucocorticoid replacement with apparently normal pituitary-adrenal function. Triggers include initiating GH replacement in a GHD patient who is not on glucocorticoids and has normal adrenal function.

Recommends performing biochemical testing for HPA axis at least 18-24 hours after last hydrocortisone dose or longer for synthetic glucocorticoids. Use when scheduling HPA axis testing in glucocorticoid-treated patient needing assessment of adrenal reserve.

Suggests using longer-acting glucocorticoids when standard hydrocortisone regimens are impractical due to nonavailability, poor adherence, or need for once-daily dosing. Triggers include glucocorticoid replacement therapy decisions where patients report difficulty with multiple daily doses, lack of access to hydrocortisone, or preference for simplified regimens.

Recommends using the lowest tolerable hydrocortisone dose to potentially decrease risks of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in central adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include managing a patient with central adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement.

Administers 100-mg hydrocortisone IV bolus followed by continuous IV infusion of 200 mg HC per 24 hours (alternatively 50 mg IV every 6 hours) for patients undergoing major surgical stress. Use when managing patient with major surgical stress; triggers include patient undergoing major surgery.

Suggests administering 25-75 mg hydrocortisone per 24 hours for 1-2 days in patients with adrenal insufficiency undergoing minor to moderate surgical stress. Triggers include patient undergoing minor to moderate surgery with known or suspected adrenal insufficiency.

In patients with normal preoperative adrenal function, suggests an individualized clinical approach for postoperative glucocorticoid administration until HPA axis evaluation can be performed. Triggers include managing postoperative patient with normal preoperative adrenal function needing glucocorticoid management.

Recommends administering stress-dose glucocorticoids before surgery and tapering after surgery in patients with adrenal insufficiency before repeat testing. Triggers include preoperative planning for surgery in a patient with known or suspected adrenal insufficiency.

Recommends against using a random cortisol level to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. Triggers when considering a random cortisol test for AI evaluation (e.g., "random cortisol measurement being considered for AI diagnosis").

Teaches AI patients about stress-dosing and emergency glucocorticoid administration; instructs to obtain emergency card/bracelet/necklace and kit with injectable high-dose GC. Triggers when counseling any patient with adrenal insufficiency (e.g., "Use when counseling patient with adrenal insufficiency...").

Recommends adjusting glucocorticoid doses on the day of surgery based on illness severity and magnitude of surgical stress. Triggers when managing a patient requiring surgery needing perioperative glucocorticoid management, such as "patient on HC for central AI undergoing major abdominal surgery" or "patient with hypopituitarism scheduled for minor procedure".

Recommends measurement of plasma ACTH to establish primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) diagnosis in patients with confirmed cortisol deficiency; a plasma ACTH concentration ≥2-fold the upper limit of the reference range supports PAI. Use when evaluating plasma ACTH in a patient with low morning cortisol or abnormal corticotropin stimulation test.

This skill suggests initiating antihypertensive treatment while continuing fludrocortisone when blood pressure remains uncontrolled after fludrocortisone dose reduction. Trigger phrases include "BP remains uncontrolled," "persistent hypertension," or "elevated BP despite fludrocortisone adjustment."

The Endocrine Society guideline recommends against routine hormonal monitoring of glucocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency and advises adjusting therapy solely based on clinical response. Use when evaluating glucocorticoid dose adequacy, such as when patients report fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, or signs of Cushingoid over-replacement.

Suggests adjusting glucocorticoid dose according to severity of illness or magnitude of the stressor in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. Use when patient with PAI has intercurrent illness, fever, or stress.

Suggests using hydrocortisone 15–25 mg or cortisone acetate 20–35 mg daily in two or three divided oral doses for adult primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) patients initiating glucocorticoid replacement. The highest dose is given upon awakening, with the second dose either early afternoon (≈2 h after lunch) or split into lunch and afternoon doses; consider total daily dose calculation based on chosen formulation and frequency.

This skill suggests using prednisolone as an alternative glucocorticoid when hydrocortisone is unavailable for emergency treatment of adrenal crisis. Dexamethasone is the least-preferred option and should only be administered if no other glucocorticoid is available.

This skill guides annual evaluation of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) for symptoms and signs of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid over- or under-replacement. Use during annual follow-up when assessing for weight changes, blood pressure abnormalities, edema, or symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, or salt craving.

Suggests periodic screening for autoimmune diseases known to be more prevalent in PAI patients in whom autoimmune origin of PAI has not been excluded; optimal frequency unknown but can be done annually. Use when determining screening schedule for PAI patient with uncertain autoimmune origin.

Recommends against dexamethasone for glucocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) due to risk of Cushingoid side effects from difficult dose titration. Use when selecting a glucocorticoid for PAI management to avoid iatrogenic Cushing syndrome.

Suggests avoiding synthetic, long-acting glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone, dexamethasone) in children with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Use when selecting glucocorticoid replacement for a child with PAI to prevent Cushingoid side effects and dose titration difficulties.

Recommends confirmatory testing with corticotropin stimulation test in patients presenting with clinical symptoms or signs suggesting PAI (e.g., fatigue, hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperpigmentation) when the patient's condition permits safe testing. Use when a clinician identifies suggestive features and circumstances allow outpatient stimulation testing without imminent need for emergency glucocorticoids.

Initiates a 6‑month trial of DHEA replacement in women with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) who have persistent low libido, depressive symptoms, or low energy despite otherwise optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid therapy. If the patient does not report a sustained beneficial effect after 6 months, discontinue DHEA.

Suggests a trial of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement in women with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) who report low libido, depressive symptoms, and/or low energy levels despite otherwise optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement. Consider when a woman with PAI presents with persistent low libido, depressive symptoms, and/or low energy levels after glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid doses have been titrated to clinical targets.

This skill outlines the emergency management of suspected adrenal crisis, recommending immediate parenteral hydrocortisone (100 mg adult, 50 mg/m² pediatric) plus fluid resuscitation, then 200 mg/24 h (50–100 mg/m²/24 h pediatric) hydrocortisone. Trigger when patient presents with hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or unexplained shock suggestive of adrenal insufficiency.

Recommends immediate IV hydrocortisone stress dosing for patients with suspected adrenal crisis presenting with severe adrenal insufficiency symptoms such as hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or acute abdominal pain. Use when clinician observes signs of adrenal crisis (e.g., syncope, delirium, marked abdominal tenderness) prior to diagnostic test results.

Recommends initiating fludrocortisone 50–100 µg daily for mineralocorticoid replacement in adults with confirmed aldosterone deficiency (e.g., low aldosterone, elevated renin) and no salt restriction. Use when aldosterone deficiency is confirmed in a patient with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) presenting with salt craving or postural hypotension.

Determines follow‑up interval for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) based on age: annual visits for adults and children, and every 3–4 months for infants. Triggered when establishing routine endocrine care after PAI diagnosis or during stable management.

Suggests genetic counseling for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) when a monogenic disorder is suspected. Use when PAI patient presents with early-onset disease, syndromic features, consanguinity, family history, or negative autoimmune antibodies.

Recommends equipping every patient with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) with a glucocorticoid injection kit for emergency self‑administration and providing training on its use. Trigger when preparing a PAI patient for stress dosing, adrenal crisis prevention, or when prescribing glucocorticoid replacement and needing to ensure emergency preparedness.

Recommends initiating glucocorticoid therapy in all patients with confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Use when PAI diagnosis is confirmed by subnormal cortisol response to ACTH stimulation test or elevated ACTH with low cortisol.

Recommends increasing hydrocortisone dose in pregnant patients with primary adrenal insufficiency based on individual clinical course, especially during the third trimester. Trigger phrases include "fatigue, postural hypotension, weight loss, or hyperglycemia in pregnant PAI patient" and "need for glucocorticoid dose adjustment in third trimester."

Suggests using a low-dose (1 µg) corticotropin stimulation test to diagnose primary adrenal insufficiency when the standard 250 µg corticotropin is unavailable due to drug shortage. Consider this approach when clinicians encounter a corticotropin shortage or when the standard dose cannot be obtained.

Suggests monitoring DHEA replacement in women with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) by measuring morning serum DHEAS levels before the daily dose, targeting the mid‑normal range. Consider when evaluating low libido, depressive symptoms, or low energy despite optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement.

Monitors glucocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) patients using clinical assessment of body weight, postural blood pressure, energy levels, and signs of frank glucocorticoid excess. Trigger phrases include "PAI patient on glucocorticoid replacement," "assess for weight gain or insomnia," and "evaluate for postural hypotension or fatigue."

This skill outlines monitoring of mineralocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency, focusing on clinical assessment of salt craving, postural hypotension, or edema alongside serum electrolyte measurements. It is initiated when evaluating patients on fludrocortisone therapy to ensure adequate dosing and avoid over- or under-replacement.

This skill outlines monitoring glucocorticoid replacement in children with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) using clinical assessment of growth velocity, weight, blood pressure, and energy levels. Trigger when evaluating a child with PAI for adequacy of glucocorticoid therapy during routine follow-up.

Suggests that pregnant patients with primary adrenal insufficiency be monitored for clinical signs of glucocorticoid over- or under-replacement such as normal weight or gain, fatigue, postural hypotension or hypertension, and hyperglycemia, with at least one review each trimester. Use when managing a pregnant patient with PAI to assess glucocorticoid dosing adequacy.

Educates patients with primary adrenal insufficiency on increasing glucocorticoid dosage during intercurrent illness, fever (≥38°C), or physiological stress, including recognition of precipitating symptoms (e.g., fever, vomiting, trauma) and actions to prevent impending adrenal crisis. Trigger phrases: fever, intercurrent illness, stress, vomiting, inability to tolerate oral meds, need for parenteral glucocorticoid.