A 54-year-old man presents with melaena and light-headedness. He drinks 6-8 standard drinks per day and has known cirrhosis. On examination he is pale...

Question

A 54-year-old man presents with melaena and light-headedness. He drinks 6-8 standard drinks per day and has known cirrhosis. On examination he is pale, tachycardic and hypotensive. What is the most appropriate initial pharmacological therapy to start in the emergency department alongside resuscitation and urgent endoscopy referral?

Accepted Answer

Octreotide (or terlipressin) plus prophylactic intravenous antibiotics

Answer

High-dose proton pump inhibitor infusion only

Answer

Tranexamic acid infusion

Answer

Vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma only

Answer

Oral non-selective beta blocker

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Variceal upper GI bleeding