-dipine
Calcium Channel Blockers
Actions: Selectively blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing a decrease in the amt of intracellular calcium available for muscle contraction - resulting in a fall in BP and diminished myocardial oxygen demand du
-afil
Erectile Dysfunction
Action: Augments the effects of nitric oxide released during sexual stimulation, resulting in enhanced blood flow to the corpus cavernosum and penile erection.
NI: Interacts c/ organic nitrates. Take 1 hr before sexual activity, limit
-caine
Anesthetics
Action: stabilizes the neuronal membrane by inhibiting the ionic fluxes required for the initiation and conduction of impulses
S/E: CNS excitation, hypotension, cardiosuppression, allergic reaction, spinal headache, urinary retention
NI: Avoid
-pril
ACE Inhibitors
Action: Decrease Peripheral vascular resistance WITHOUT increase cardiac output, increase cardiac rate, or increase cardiac contractility. For HTN and heart failure
Side Effects: Dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, GI distress, cough, heada
-pam
-lam
Benzodiazepine
Action: enhance effects of GABA. Sedative-Hypnotic (Insomnia)
S/E: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, headache, anxiety, paradoxical effects (opposite)
NI: No alcohol. Taper off
-statin
Antilipidemic
Action: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Decreases LDL,
S/E: myopathy, liver metabolism
NI: Take with food and at night
-asone
-solone
Corticosteriods
Action: Antiinflammatory that also decrease swelling, warmth, redness, and pain.
S/E: increase risk of new infection, delayed wound healing, hyperglycemia, peptic ulcer, GI bleed
NI: Monitor fluid balance, K+, and glucose levels. Do not di
-olol
Beta Blockers
Action: Reduces renin and aldosterone. Vasodilation of arterioles leads to decrease pulmonary vascular resistance and BP
S/E: Hypotension, bradycardia (AV block), symptoms of heart failure (cough, SOB, edema, fatigue), drowsiness, depression
-cillin
Penicillin
Action: Bactericidal that disrupts the cell wall, leading to cel lysis and death. Used for syphilis, rheumatic heart disease, gas gangrene, pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis
S/E: GI distress- anaphylaxis, candidiasis, rash, GI
NI: Wear medi
-ide
Oral Hypoglycemic
Action: Insulin release from the pancreas.
S/E: Hypoglycemia, GI effects, folic acid deficiency, lactic acidosis, fluid retention, elevated LDLs, hepatotoxicity.
NI: Contraindicated in treatment with DKA. Monitor for hypoglycemia. Admini
-prazole
Proton Pump Inhibitor
Action: Inhibit the formation of gastric acid.
S/E: Blood work for H. Pylori. Headache, diarrhea, N/V, rebound acid hypersecretion, hypomagnesium, pneumonia.
NI: GI problems should resolve in about 1 week. Return if s/s are unresolve
-vir
Antiviral
Action: Prevents reproduction of viral DNA and interrupts cell reproduction. For viral infections, HIV/AIDS
S/E: Phlebitis and inflammation at the site, nephrotoxicity, mild discomfort (nausea, headache, diarrhea), granulocytopenia and thrombocy
-ase
Thrombolytic
Action: Dissolves clots that have already formed, converting plasminogen to plasmin, which destroys fibrinogen and other clotting factors
S/E: Serious risk of bleeding. Hypotension, allergic reaction (possible severe anaphylactic reaction)
NI
-azine
Antiemetic
Action: Block dopamine receptors in the CTZ for prevention of emesis
S/E: Extrapyramidal symptoms, hypotension, sedation, anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation)
NI: Do not give with CNS depressants, admin prior to
-erol
Bronchodilator
Action: Activates Beta2- receptors to relax the smooth muscles in the bronchioles, producing dilation. For asthma, emphysema, and COPD
S/E: Tachycardia, headache, irritability, angina pain, tremors
NI: Evaluate respiratory status and VS, do
-arin
Anticoagulant
Action: Prevent bleeding by inactivation of thrombin formation and factor Xa, resulting in inhibition of the formation of fibrin. For anticoagulant activity (stroke, PE), adjunct with open-heart surgery/renal dialysis, prophylaxis against po
-tidine
Antiulcer
Action: H2 Receptor Antagonist- Anti-ulcer/anti-acid
S/E: Constipation or diarrhea, N/V, headache
NI: Take at Bedtime; for ulcers take with meals
-zine
Antihistamine
Action: Block histamine release in small blood vessels during allergic reactions. Also suppress mucous secretions with upper respiratory infections because of anticholinergic effect.
S/E: Sedation, anticholinergic effects (dry mouth & consti
-cycline
Antibiotic
Action: Broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit micro-organism growth by preventing protein synthesis
S/E: GI discomfort, yellow/brown tooth discoloration, hepatotoxicity, photosensitivity, suprainfection, dizziness
NI: Take on empty stomach wi
-mycin
Aminoglycoside
Action: Destroy micro-organisms by disrupting protein synthesis. For E. Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, amebiasis, tapeworm infections, suppression of normal flora.
S/E: Ototoxicity (cochlear and vestibular damage), nephrotoxicity, neuromuscu
-floxacin
Antibiotic
Action: Inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA gyrase. For staph and strep infections...
S/E: Seizures, arrhythmias, hepatotoxicity, pseudomembranous colitis, hypersensitivity
NI: Obtain culture prior to admin, assess for s/s of anap
-tyline
Tricyclic Antidepressant
Action: Block reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in the synaptic space, intensifying the effects of these neurotransmitters. For depression and depressive episodes of bipolar
S/E: orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic eff
-pram
-ine
SSRI's
Action: Block reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin in the synaptic space, intensifying the effects of serotonin. For depression, OCD, bulimia, panic disorders, PTSD
S/E: CNS stimulation, weight loss then gain, serotonin syndrome, withdr
-phylline
Methylxanthines
Action: Relaxes bronchial smooth muscles leading to bronchodilation. For long-term control of asthma
S/E: GI distress, restlessness,
NI: Do not consume caffeine. If missed dose, do not double next dose