Sunga, Saara Paula Bianca B.
BSN 2-Y1-6
Drug Study – NCMA 216
Using the Drug Handbook: Search for the Assigned drug classification showing its drug action/s and indication/s.
I.
CNS Stimulants
1. Amphetamines (Drug Classification: ADHD Agents, Stimulants)
THERAPEUTIC
SIDE EFFECTS
ACTION
Amphetamine is a
CNS: Overstimulation,
central nervous (CNS)
restlessness, dizziness,
system stimulant that
insomnia, dyskinesia,
functions by increasing
euphoria, tremor, changes in
the amounts of
dopamine, norepinephrine, libido. In children,
manifestation of vocal and
and serotonin (to a lesser
motor tics and Tourette’s
extent) in the synaptic
cleft through a variety of syndrome. GI: N&V,
cramps, dry mouth,
mechanisms.
Amphetamine enters the diarrhea, anorexia. CV:
palpitations, dyspnea,
presynaptic axon
increased BP, reflex
terminal through
decrease in HR, pulmonary
diffusion or uptake by
hypertension, precordial
the monoamine
transporters DAT, NET, and pain.
DERMATOLOGIC:
SERT. Once inside the
symptoms of allergy
ADVERSE EFFECTS
The association between
amphetamine and severe
cardiovascular events is
controversial. There have
been reports of severe
cardiovascular events such
as myocardial infarction and
sudden cardiac death in
patients (including children)
treated with stimulants. The
use of amphetamine with
other serotonergic agents
and/or CYP2D6 inhibitors
(including
fluoxetin
e,
paroxetine,
and
bupropion) can increase the
NURSING CONSIDERATION
1. If
prescribed to suppress
appetite administer 30 min
before anticipated meal time.
2. Use a small initial dose; then
increase
gradually
as
necessary.
Use
lowest
effective dose.
3. Unless otherwise ordered, give
last dose of day at least 6 hr.
before bedtime.
4. When
used for attention
deficit disorder in children,
interrupt therapy on occasion
presynaptic terminal,
amphetamine
increases the
amounts of
monoamine
neurotransmitters in the
cytosol through the
inhibition of vesicular
monoamine transporter 2
(VMAT2) as well as
through disruption of the
electrochemical
gradients necessary for
vesicular transporter
function.
including rash, burning,
pallor. GU: urinary
frequency, dysuria.
ENDROCRINE: changes
in libido, menstrual
irregularities, gynecomastia.
OPHTHALMOLOGIC:
blurred vision, mydriasis.
HEMATOLOGIC:
leukopenia.
risk
of
serotonin
syndrom
e. Amphetamine should be
started cautiously in patients
taking these medications,
with close monitoring for signs
and symptoms of serotonin
syndrome.
to determine necessity for
continued therapy.
5. If tolerance develops, do not
exceed the recommend dose
in an attempt to increase the
effect; rather, discontinue the
drug.
2. Anorexiants (Drug Classification: CNS Stimulants
THERAPEUTIC
SIDE EFFECTS
ACTION
Anorectic drugs act
CNS: Bad/metallic taste
mainly on the satiety
in the mouth, diarrhea,
center in the
headache,
nausea,
hypothalamus to produce vomiting, dry mouth,
anorexia. They also have drowsiness, tiredness. GI:
various metabolic effects Constipation, abdominal
involving fat and
or stomach pain, inability
carbohydrate metabolism, to hold bowel movement,
but many of these may be increases
in
bowel
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Many of the weight loss
drugs
known
as
sympathomimetic amines
can stimulate the heart and
lead to high blood pressure
and a fast heart rate
(tachycardia).
Amphetamine-derivative,
stimulant type weight loss drugs
may be
associated
NURSING CONSIDERATION
1. Weigh the patient and take the
blood pressure, pulse, and
respiratory rate before starting
drug therapy
2. Carefully monitor the patient's
respiratory rate and the pattern
until the respirations return to
normal
secondary to loss of
weight.
movements, loss of bowel
control,
oily
bowel
movements.
OPHTHALMOLOGIC:
blurred
vision
DERMAT
OLOGIC: Sensitivity of the
skin to sunlight.
with constipation, dry
mouth, restlessness,
withdrawal
effects, or insomnia
(difficulty falling asleep), drug
abuse and addiction.
3. Analeptics (Drug Classification: General CNS Stimulants
THERAPEUTIC ACTION
Analeptics can also be
used as convulsant, with
low doses causing
patients to experience
heightened awareness,
restlessness, and rapid
breathing. The primary
medical use of these drugs
is as an anesthetic recovery
tool or to treat emergency
respiratory depression.
II.
SIDE EFFECTS
CNS:
Depersonalization (a
feeling that you are an
observer of yourself),
dizziness, facial tics,
headaches, inability to
sleep, increased blood
pressure, increased rate
of breathing, irritability.
GI: Gastrointestinal
irritation
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Abnormalities of cerebellar
structure and function in
alcoholism, fragile X
syndrome, cancer, neurologic
disease
NURSING CONSIDERATION
1. Monitor vital
irregularities
signs
2. Record height, weight, and
growth.
3. Instruct to eat nutritious foods
because drug may cause
anorexiants effect.
CNS Depressants:
1. Sedative-Hypnotics (Anxiolytics) (Drug Classification: CNS Depressants)
THERAPEUTIC ACTION SIDE EFFECTS
Used to prevent anxiety
and treat anxiety related

Headache
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Frequently forgetting
losing your memory
NURSING CONSIDERATION
or
report
1. Assess for the mentioned
cautions and
to
several
anxiety
disorders. These drugs
tend to work rather
quickly and can be habitforming. Because of this,
they're usually only
prescribed for short-term
use.
Hypnotic and sedative
medications (henceforth
referred to as hypnotics)
work, in general, by
increasing the activity of
gamma- aminobutyric
acid (GABA), a
neurotransmitter in the
brain.

Rebound
Insomnia

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Nausea

Dry Mouth
Symptoms of depression, such
as fatigue, feeling of
hopelessness, or suicidal
thought
Mental health
such as anxiety
conditions,
Developing a dependency on
sedatives that can lead to
irreversible
effects
or
withdrawal
Liver dysfunction or failure from
tissue damage or overdose
contraindications to prevent
any untoward complication.
2. Perform a thorough
physical assessment to
establish baseline data
before drug therapy
begins, to determine
effectiveness of therapy,
and to evaluate for
occurrence of any adverse
effects associated with
drug therapy.
2. Analgesics (Drug Classification: CNS Depressants)
THERAPEUTIC ACTION SIDE EFFECTS
Relives pain selectively
 Constipation
without blocking the
conduction of nerve
 Dry Mouth
impulse, markedly
 Dizziness
altering sensory
perception, or affecting
 Skin itching
consciousness
 Rash
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Easy
bruising/bleeding
Difficulty hearing
Signs of kidney problems (such
as change in the amount of
NURSING CONSIDERATION
1. Determining the nature of the
pain and its impact on the
resident
2. Identifying factors that affect
the resident’s perception and
expression of pain

Drowsiness
Upset Stomach
urine)
Persistent or severe nausea/
vomiting
Unexplained
tiredness Dark urine
Yellowing eye and skin
(Jaundice)
3. Determining
when
administer analgesics
to
4. Using
nursing
intervention
to
promote
comfort and relive pain
5. Evaluating
the
effectiveness of the analgesics
3. Anticonvulsants (Drug Classification: CNS Depressants)
THERAPEUTIC
ACTION
The effects of clinically
used anticonvulsant
drugs on high-frequency
sustained repetitive
firing (SRF) of action
potentials and on
postsynaptic responses
to iontophoretically
applied gammaaminobutyric acid
(GABA) have been
compared to establish a
classification
of anticonvulsant
SIDE EFFECTS
CNS: Psychosis, fatigue,
psychological
and
behavioral disorders. GI:
Nausea,
metabolic
acidosis, weight gain,
hepatotoxicity,
nephrolithiasis,
colitis.
DERMATOLOGICAL:
Skin rash
OPHTHALMOLOGI
C:
angle closure glaucoma
HEMATOLOGIC:
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Dissociation
and
hallucination,
asthenia,
tiredness, and general
weakness.
Hostility,
nervousness,
agitation, irritability, and
insomnia.
Amnesia,
aph
asia,
concentration
impairment, confusion,
me
NURSING CONSIDERATION
1. Shake oral suspensions
thoroughly before pouring
to ensure uniform mixing.
2. Drug therapy must be
individualized according to
client needs.
3. Do not discontinue abruptly unless provider
approved. To avoid severe,
prolonged
convulsions,
withdraw over a period of
days or weeks.
drugs based on cellular
Anemia,
mory
impairment,
mechanisms of action.
thrombocytopenia, purpura,
psychomotor
slowing,
By using concentrations
increased white blood cells
speech
disorder,
and
in the range of
(WBC) count, lymphocytosis. abnormal thinking
therapeutic cerebrospinal ENDOCRINE: Menstrual
Morbilliform rash Urticaria
fluid values in humans,
disturbances,
sexual
Erythema
drugs have been
problems, fertility difficulties.
multif
separated into three
orme Photosensitivity Acne
categories: Phenytoin,
form
(acne-like) rash
carbamazepine,
and
Purpura
valproic acid limited SRF,
Morbilliform rash (in 10%)
but did not alter GABA
Angioedema Pruritus
responses
(itching) Stevens-Johnson /
TEN Anticonvulsant
hypersensitivity syndrome
4. If there is a reason to
substitute
on
e
anticonvulsant drug for
another, withdraw the first
drug at the same time the
dosage of the second drug is
being increased.
5. Be prepared, in case of
acute oral toxicity to assist
with inducing emesis and
with gastric lavage along
with other supportive
measures such as
administration of fluids and
oxygen