Medications Guide
Pamela C. Vickers
Candler Hospital/Georgia Southern University
March 2, 2015
Name
Megestrol
(Megace)
Dronabinol
(Marinol)
Drug Class
Synthetic female hormone
belonging to the
progesterone group
(Progestogens)
Antemetic/Cannabinoid
Side Effects
Weight gain, changes in
appetite (increase), stomach
upset, diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting,
gas, increase blood sugar
levels
Nausea, vomiting, stomach
pain, diarrhea
Drug-Nutrient Interactions
Appetite stimulant
Avoid alcohol due to risk of fluid
accumulation
Can take with or without food
Appetite Stimulant
Avoid alcohol which can increase side
effects
Remeron
(Mirtazapine)
Metformin
(Fortamet, Glucophage,
Glumetza, Riomet)
Antidepressant
Biguanides
(Antidiabetic)
Dry mouth, constipation,
increased appetite, weight
gain, nausea, vomiting, may
significantly elevate serum
triglyceride and total
cholesterol levels
Mild nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, gas, stomach pain,
bloating, feeling full,
indigestion, loss of appetite,
weight loss, lactic acidosis
Take before lunch and supper
Appetite Stimulant
Avoid alcohol due to increase in
nervous system side effects
Can take with or without food
Take with meals
May have to take vitamin B12
supplements
Avoid drinking alcohol due to increased
risk of low blood sugar and lactic
acidosis
Novolog
Levemir
Fast-Acting Insulin
(Antidiabetic)
Long-Acting Insulin
(Antidiabetic)
Hypoglycemia, weight gain,
excessive hunger, increased
thirst, loss of appetite, renal
sodium retention,
hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia
Hypoglycemia, weight gain,
stomach pain, nausea,
vomiting, low potassium
Eat a meal within 5-10 minutes after
taking Novolog
Avoid alcohol due to risk of
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemeia
Should be administered with evening
meal or at bedtime
Those that take twice-daily can
administer at evening meal and then 12
hours after
Lantus
(Insulin Glargine,
Recombinant)
Humalog
Long-Acting Insulin
(Antidiabetic)
Fast-Acting Insulin
(Antidiabetic)
Hypoglycemia, weight gain,
stomach pain, nausea,
vomiting, hypophosphatemia,
hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia
Hypoglycemia, hypokalemia,
weight gain, edema
Avoid alcohol due to risk of
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
Should be administered with evening
meal or at bedtime
Those that take twice-daily can
administer at evening meal and then 12
hours after
Avoid alcohol due to risk of
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
Eat a meal within 5-10 minutes after
taking Novolog
Can take before or after meals
Avoid alcohol due to risk of
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemeia
Lasix
(Furosemide)
Loop Diuretic
Dehydration, loss of appetite,
weight loss, nausea, vomiting,
low potassium, low calcium,
low magnesium, diarrhea,
constipation, stomach pain
Take on an empty stomach, one hour
before eating
Can be taken with food to prevent GI
upset
Avoid alcohol because additive effects
in lowering blood pressure
Consume plenty of water and
electrolytes
Consume foods high in potassium
Eat foods high in magnesium and
calcium (dairy products, whole grain
breads and cereals)
Avoid licorice because enhances side
effects of potassium-depleting diuretics
Demadex
(Torsemide)
Loop Diuretic
Dehydration, loss of
salt/minerals, dry mouth,
nausea, vomiting
Taken with or without food
Avoid alcohol because additive effects
in lowering blood pressure
Consume plenty of water and
electrolytes
Consume foods high in potassium
Eat foods high in magnesium and
calcium (dairy products, whole grain
breads and cereals)
Avoid licorice because enhances side
effects of potassium-depleting diuretics
Edecrin
(Ethacrynic Acid)
Loop Diuretic
Dehydration, upset stomach,
diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea,
vomiting, increased urination,
loss of salt/minerals
Taken with or without food
Avoid alcohol because additive effects
in lowering blood pressure
Consume plenty of water and
electrolytes
Consume foods high in potassium
Eat foods high in magnesium and
calcium (dairy products, whole grain
breads and cereals)
Metamucil
(Psyllium)
Laxative
Nausea, intestinal gas, cramps,
mild diarrhea, rectal pain,
constipation, abdominal
fullness, bloating
Avoid licorice because enhances side
effects of potassium-depleting diuretics
Recommend taking three times a day at
mealtimes
Take with full glass of water
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Milk of Magnesia
(Magnesium Hydroxide)
Colace
(Docusate Sodium)
Laxative
Laxative
Diarrhea that can be severe
enough to cause dehydration
and electrolyte abnormalities,
nausea, vomiting
Stomach pain, diarrhea,
cramping
Take with a full glass of water
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Take with a full glass of water, usually
at bedtime
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Dulcolax
(Bisacodyl)
Laxative
Stomach/abdominal pain,
nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
Take with a full glass of water
Take within 1 hour of antacids, milk, or
milk products
Senna
Laxative
Dehydration, diarrhea,
electrolyte disturbances,
weight loss, nausea, loss of
appetite potassium deficiency
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Take with a full glass of water
Take in the evening
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Miralax
(Polyethylene Glycol)
Phenergan
(Promethazine)
Laxative
Phenothizine
(Anti-nausea)
Nausea, abdominal cramping,
gas, diarrhea
Dry mouth, loss of appetite,
constipation
Take with a full glass of water
To prevent constipation, drink plenty of
fluids, exercise regularly, and consume
naturally-occurring fibers found in
whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Can be taken with or without food
Take before meals or before going to
bed
If cannot manage oral intake, a
suppository form can be used
Protonix
(Pantoprazole)
Proton Pump Inhibitor
Diarrhea, abdominal/stomach
pain, weight changes, nausea,
vomiting, gas
Can be taken with or without food
If taking in granule form, take 30
minutes before a meal with applesauce
or apple juice
Avoid or limit nicotine, caffeine, and
alcohol because these stimulate stomach
acid and can slow healing process
Metoclopramide
(Reglan)
Prokinetic Drug
Diarrhea, constipation,
increased flow of breast milk,
passing urine more often, dry
mouth
Take 30 minutes before meals and at
bedtime
Avoid or limit the use of alcohol
Avoid or limit nicotine, caffeine, and
alcohol because these stimulate stomach
acid and can slow healing process
Dilantin
(Phenytoin)
Decadron
(Dexamethasone)
Anticonvulsant
Corticosteroid
Nausea, vomiting,
constipation, upper stomach
pain, loss of appetite, jaundice,
dark urine, may affect
metabolism of Vitamin D,
increase in blood sugars
Weight gain, increased
appetite, nausea, vomiting,
increase in blood sugar, fluid
retention
Do not take with meals
For tube feedings, must hold 1 hour
when taken before resuming regimen
Avoid alcohol and antacids
Take with food or after meals
Drink 2-3 quarts of water every 24
hours, unless on fluid restriction
Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption
May cause retention of sodium, so keep
sodium intake to a minimum
Excess secretion of potassium, so
consume foods high in potassium
Synthroid
(Levothyroxine)
Thyroid Hormone
Replacement
Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite
changes, weight changes
Take 30 minutes before breakfast on an
empty stomach with a full glass of
water
Avoid the following food products,
which can make the body absorb less
levothyroxine: infant soy formula,
cotton seed meal, walnuts, and highfiber foods.
Wait 4 hours before or after taking
Synthroid to take calcium carbonate,
iron supplements, or antacids that
contain aluminum or Magnesium
(Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid,
etc.)
Normodyne
(Labetalol)
Bystolic
(Nebivolol)
Beta-Blocker
Beta-Blocker
Nausea, vomiting, sudden
weight gain, upper stomach
pain, loss of appetite, claycolored stools, jaundice
Nausea, stomach pain, sudden
weight gain/loss
Take consistently with meals
Avoid or limit alcohol
Can take with or without food
Avoid or limit alcohol
Do not consume grapefruit juice while
taking medication
Amlodipine Besylate
(Norvasc)
Zofran
(Ondansetron)
Calcium-Channel Blocker
Antemetic
Abdominal pain, nausea,
diarrhea, vomiting, weight
changes
Constipation, diarrhea,
hiccups, nausea, vomiting
Take at the same time every day with or
without food
Do not consume grapefruit juice while
taking medication
Can be taken with or without food
Limit alcohol consumption
Pravachol
(Pravastatin)
Statin
Increased thirst, increased
urination, hunger, dry mouth,
fruity breath, weight loss,
nausea, upper stomach pain,
loss of appetite, clay-colored
stools, jaundice, diarrhea
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat
and cholesterol
Avoid drinking alcohol
Do not consume grapefruit juice while
taking medication
Solumedrol
(Methylprednisolone)
Corticosteroids
Weight gain, abdominal pain,
vomiting, nausea, appetite
changes, rise in blood sugars,
hypernatremia, hypokalemia
Take with food to avoid upset stomach
Do not consume grapefruit juice while
taking medication
Dietary sodium restriction and
potassium supplementation
Warfarin
(Coumadin)
Anticoagulant
Vomiting of blood or material
that looks like coffee grounds,
black or tarry stools, diarrhea
Cranberries, cranberry juice, alcohol,
food that are high in Vitamin K
(soybeans and canola oils, spinach,
broccoli), garlic, and licorice should be
monitored
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit
juice
Vitamins A, E, and possibly C may
affect how Warfarin works