Medication classes, actions, side effects, nursing considerations

Agents used to treat cardiac arrest, shock and prophylaxis

SE- serious rebound effect may occur, Balance between underdosing and overdosing
NC- monitor vital signs,
Measure Urine output
Assess for extravasation
Observe extremities for color and perfusion

Antianxiety Agents

Indications- anxiety disorders, insomnia, petit mal seizures, panic attacks, acute manic episodes
SE- sedation, depression, confusion, anger, headache, Dry moth, constipation bradycardia, elevated liver enzymes, urinary retention
NC- monitor Liver functio

Antacid Mediactions

Action- neutralizes gastric acids: raises gastric ph; inactivates pepsin
Indications- peptic ulcer, indigestion, reflex esophagitis prevent stress ulcer
SE- constipation, acid rebound between ulcers,
metabolic acidosis
NC- Use medications with sodium cont

Aminoglycosides

Action- Inhibits protein synthesis in gram-negative bacteria
Indication- treatment of severe systemic infection of CNS, respiratory, GI, urinary tract, bone, skin, soft tissues, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, tuberculosis (streptomycin)
SE- ototoxicit

Cephalosporins

Indications- Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Otitis media, Upper and lower respiratory tract infections, dermatological infections, gonorrhea, septicemia, meningitis, perioperative prophylaxis, UTI's
SE- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased ble

Cephalosporins NC

NC- take with food, don't crush tablets, cross allergy with penicillin's, monitor renal and hepatic function

Penicillins SE

SE- Skin rashes, diarrhea, Allergic reactions, Renal, hepatic, hematological abnormalities, Nausea, vomiting

Penicillins NC

NC- Obtain C and S before first dose
Take careful history of penicillin reaction
Observe for 20 minutes post IM injection
Give 1-2 h ac or 2-3 h pc to reduce gastric acid destruction of drug
Monitor for loose, foul-smelling stool and change in tongue
Chec

Sulfonamides SE

SE- Headache, GI disturbances Allergic rash Urinary crystallization

Sulfonamides NC

NC- Monitor I and 0, force fluids
Maintain alkaline urine
Bicarbonate may be indicated to elevate pH
Avoid vitamin C, which acidifies urine

Tetracylines SE

SE- Photosensitivity
GI upset, renal, hepatic, hematological
abnormalities
Dental discoloration of deciduous ("baby") teeth, enamel hypoplasia

Tetracylines

NC - Give between meals
If GI symptoms occur, administer with food EXCEPT milk products or other foods high in calcium (interferes with absorption)
Assess for change in bowel habits, perineal rash, black "hairy" tongue Good oral hygiene
Avoid during tooth

Fluoroquinolones SE NC

SE- Seizures, GI upset, Rash
NC- Contraindicated in children less than 18 years of age
Give 2 hours pc or 2 hours before an antacid or iron preparation
Avoid caffeine
Encourage fluids

Macrolides

NC-Can be used in clients with compromised renal function because excretion is primarily through the bile

Glycopeptides SE NC

SE- Liver damage
NC- Poor absorption orally, but IV peak 5 minutes, duration 12-24 hours
Avoid extravasation during therapy-may cause necrosis
Give antihistamine if "red man syndrome": decreased blood pressure, flushing of face and neck Contact clinician

Lincosamides
Clindamycin HC1 phosphate (Cleocin)

SE - Nausea Vaginitis,
Colitis may occur 2-9 days or several weeks after starting meds
NC - Administer oral med with a full glass of water to prevent esophageal ulcers
Monitor for persistent vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or abdominal pain and cramping

Bacitracin ointment

SE-Nephrotoxicity Ototoxicity
NC -Overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms can occur

Neosporin cream

SE- Nephrotoxicity Ototoxicity
NC- Allergic dermatitis may occur

Povidone-iodine solution (Betadine)

SE-Irritation
NC -Don't use around eyes May stain skin
Don't use full-strength on mucous membranes

Silver sulfadiazine cream (Silvadene)

SE- Neutropenia Burning
NC -Use cautiously if sensitive to sulfonamides

Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin)

SE- Diarrhea, Nausea, vomiting, Asthma attacks
NC -Check CBC, Give with food or milk
Check I and 0
Monitor pulmonary status

Phenazopyridine
Pyridium)

SE-HeadacheVertigo
NC -Urinary tract analgesic, spasmolytic,
Take with meals

Anticholinergics

SE-Drowsiness, Blurred vision, Dry mouth Constipation, Urinary retention
NC -Used to reduce bladder spasms and treat urinary incontinence, Increase fluids and fiber in diet, Contraindicated for clients with glaucoma

Anti-impotence

SE-Headache, Flushing, Hypotension, Priapism
NC -Treatment of erectile dysfunction
Take 1 hour before sexual activity
Never use with nitrates-could have fatal hypotension
Do not take with alpha blockers, e.g., doxazosin
(Cardura)-risk of hypotension
Do no

Atropine sulfate SE

Tachycardia, Headache, blurred vision, Insomnia, dry mouth, Dizziness, Urinary retention Angina, mydriasis

Atropine sulfate NC

Used for bradycardia
When given PO give 30 minutes before meals Check for history of glaucoma, asthma, hypertension
Monitor I and 0, orientation
When given in nonemergency situations make certain client voids before taking drug
Educate client to expect dr

Heparin ,Lovenox SE

Can produce hemorrhage from any body site (10%) Tissue irritation/pain at injection site
Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Fever

Heparin NC

Monitor therapeutic partial thromboplastin time (PTT) at 1.5-2.5 times the control without signs of hemorrhage Normal: 20-45 seconds
For IV administration: use infusion pump, peak 5 minutes, duration 2-6 hours For injection: give deep SQ; never IM (danger

Enoxaparin Low-molecular weight heparin (Lovenox) NC

Less allergenic than heparin
Must be given deep SQ, never IV or IM
Does not require lab test monitoring

Warfarin (Coumadin)

SE - Hemorrhage Diarrhea Rash Fever
NC- Monitor therapeutic prothombin time (PT) at 1.5-2.5 times the control, or monitor international normalized ratio (INR) at 2.0-3.0 Normal: 9-12 seconds
Onset: 12-24 hours, peak 1.5-3 days, duration: 3-5 days Antidote

anticoagulants and herbal

Garlic, ginger, ginkgo may increase bleeding when taken with warfarin (Coumadin)
Large doses of anise may interfere with anticoagulants
Ginseng and alfalfa my decrease anticoagulant activity
Black haw increases action of anticoagulant
Chamomile may interf

Phenytoin sodium (Dilantin) SE

Drowsiness, ataxia Nystagmus Blurred vision Hirsutism Lethargy GI upset
Gingival hypertrophy

Phenytoin sodium (Dilantin) NC

Give oral medication with at least 1/2 glass of water, or with meals to minimize GI irritation Inform client that red-brown or pink discoloration of sweat and urine may occur
IV administration may lead to cardiac arrest-have resuscitation equipment at han

Anticonvulsant medications SE

Cardiovascular depression
Respiratory depression
Agranulocytosis
Aplastic anemia

Anticonvulsant medications NC

Tolerance develops with long-term use Don't discontinue abruptly
Caution with use of medications that lower seizure threshold (MAO inhibitors) Barbiturates and benzodiazepines also used as anticonvulsants

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: MAOI's SE

Hypertensive crisis when taken with foods containing tyramine (aged cheese, bologna, pepperoni, salami, figs, bananas, raisins, beer, Chianti red wine) or OTC meds containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine
Photosensitivity, Weight gain, Sexual dysfunction Ort

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: MAOI's NC

Not first-line drugs for depression
Should not be taken with SSRIs
Administer antihypertensive medications with caution
Avoid use of other CNS depressants, including alcohol
Discontinue 10 days before general anesthesia
Medications lower seizure threshold

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: (SSRI) SE

Headache, dizziness
Nervousness
Insomnia, drowsiness
Anxiety
Tremor
Dry mouth
GI upset
Taste changes
Sweating
Rash
URI
Painful menstruation
Sexual dysfunction
Weight loss

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: (SSRI) NC

Suicide precautions
Take in am
Takes 4 weeks for full effect Monitor weight Good mouth care
Do not administer with MAOIs-risk of serotonin syndrome
Monitor for thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and anemia

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: TRICYCLICS SE

Sedation
Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision)
Confusion (especially in elderly)
Photosensitivity
Disturbed concentration
Orthostatic hypotension
Bone marrow depression
Urinary retention

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: TRICYCLICS NC

Therapeutic effect in 1-3 weeks; maximum response in 6-9 weeks May be administered in daily dose at night to promote sleep and decrease
side effects during the day
Orthostatic hypotension precautions Instruct patient that side effects will decrease over t