Drug
Classification/Actio
n
Indication
Dosage
Side effects/
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Nursing Interventions/Notes
Psylhum
Metamucil
Laxative – bulk
forming agent
Management
of simple or
chronic
constipation
No adverse or
frequent side
effects
Assess for abdominal
distension. May cause
elevated glucose
levels with prolonged
use.
Docusate
sodium
Colace
Laxative –
stool softener
No adverse or
frequent side
effects
Assess for bowl
sounds/distention,
amount consistency
Bisacodyl
Dulcolax
Laxative –
stimulant
peristalsis
evacuation of
the colon
Prevention
of
constipation
, straining
Treatment of
constipation
Abdominal
cramps, nausea
Furosemid
e
Lasix
Loop Diuretic –
inhibits
reabsorption of
sodium and
chloride
Edema due to
heart
failure,
hepatic
Impairment,
renal
disease,
hypertension
PO 1-2 tsp/packet
with water.
2-3 times daily
with full glass of
water. Followed by
additional glass
of water
PO 50-400 mg in 14 divided doses
with full glass of
water
PO 5-15 mg as a
single dose. Milk
may remove enteric
coating of tablets
resulting in
gastric irritation
PO 20-80mg daily
then adjust q608
hr
on set 1/3 – 1 hr.
Duration 6-8 hr
Risk for increased
bowel dysfunction
considered
appropriate in
presence of opioid
therapy – mosby
Y-site
incompatibilities
blyBURIDE
Glyburide
Antidiabetes,
hypoglycemic
agent (oral) –
lowers blood
glucose
Control of
blood
glucose in
type 2
diabetes
when diet
therapy
fails
PO tabs 1.2mg – 6
mg
APLASTIC
ANEMIA,
AGRANULOCYTOSIS
Dehydration,
Hypo:
chloremia,
kalemia
magnesase
naturemia and
hypovolemia
APLASTIC
ANEMIA,
photosensitivit
y, hypoglycemia
Monitor CBC and blood
sugar, Report ↓
blood counts,
Toxicity/overdose =
hypoglycemia. Confirm
type 2 diabetes.
Mosby=active
metabolic that may
accumulate in renal
failure
Metformin
Glucophag
e
Antidiabetes –
decrease
hepatic glucose
production
Management
type 2 DM
PO 500 mg twice
daily
LACTIC ACIDOSIS
abdominal
bloating,
diarrhea,
nausea,
vomiting
Diphenoxy
late
atropine
Lomotil
Antidiarrheals
– inhibits
excess GI
motility
Adjunctive
therapy for
treatment of
diarrhea
PO 5mg-3-4 times
initially then 5
mg daily as
needed.
Dizziness
constipation
Isopto
Carbine
Pilocarpi
ne
Cholingerics –
stimulant of
exocrine glands
Treatment of
open-angle
and closed –
angle
glaucoma.
Oral
formation is
for treating
severe
xerostomia
(dry mouth)
Drops: 1-2 dropps
to affected eye,
up to 6xdaily.
Onset for miosis
is 10-30 minutes.
PO 5 mg 3 times
daily then
titrated to 15-30
mg/daily.
Digoxin
Digitek,
Lanoxin
Antiarrhythmic
- ↑ force of
myocardial
contraction
Treatment of
CHF
PODigitalizing
dose--0.75-1.5 mg
given as 50% of
the dose initially
and 1/4 of the
initial dose in
each of 2
subsequent doses
at 6-12 hr
intervals.
Maintenance dose-0.125-0.5 mg/day
Drops: visual
burning,
irritation,
myopic, ciliary
spasm, brow
pain, headache.
If it goes
systemic:
Nausea,
vomiting,
flushing,
sweating
ARRHYTHMIA,
fatigue,
Bradicardia,
anorexia,
nausea,
vomiting
Lactic
Acidosis=chills,
diarrhea, dizziness ↓
BP, muscles pain,
sleepiness, ↓ HR ↓P,
Dyspnea or weakness.
Mosby=avoid in renal
failure - risk of
lactic acidosis
Use cautiously in
patients on opioids.
Assess for bowl
sounds, fluid and
electrolyte balance.
Lab – liver functions
When applying apply
pressure on tear duct
for 30 sec to
restrict systemic
application. Assess
oral mucosa for
dryness and
ulceration
periodically during
therapy
Check dig levels 0.5
– 2 mg/ml drawn 6-8
hrs after dose,
Apical Pulse:
withhold < 60
as tablets or
0.350-0.5 mg/day
as gelatin
capsules,
depending on
weight, renal
function, and
serum level.
PO (Geriatric)
Daily < 0.125 mg
except when
treating atrial
fibrillation.
Transdermal
ointment 2%.
0.2 – 0.4m.hr –
titrated up to
0.8m/hr if needed.
Onset 30 min
Duration 8-24hrs.
Transderm
al
nitroglyc
erin
Nitro-Dur
Antianginals –
increases
coronary blood
flow by
dilating
arteries.
Improving
collateral flow
to ischemic
regions
Acute and
long term
prophylactic
management
of angina
pectoris.
Adjunct
treatment of
CHF
Potassium
chloride
–
controlle
d release
Micro K
mineral and
electrolyte
replacement/sup
plement –
prevent
/replace
deficiency
Antianxiety,
antidepressant
– inhibits
neuronal
reuptake of
Treatment /
prevention
of potassium
depletion
PO 40-50 mEq
ARRTHYTHMIA,
abdominal pain,
diarrhea,
flatulence,
nausea,
vomiting
Major
depressive
disorder,
panic
disorder
20-50 mg daily
anxiety,
drowsiness,
headache,
insomnia,
nervousness,
Paroxetin
e
hydrochlo
ride
Paxil
Dizziness,
headache,
hypotension,
tachycardia
Monitor: BP, R
Lab
– urine ↑ risk of
serious & potentially
fatal Hypotension
with concurrent use
of nitrates in any
form with sildenafil,
tadalafil and
vardenafil.
Notes: Rotate sites,
remove previous. Worn
for 12-14 hrs. and
removed 10-12
hrs/day.
Monitor pulse, BP
ECG, peaked T wave –
toxicity, no rapid
infusion or bolus IV
SERIOUS MAO – should
be discontinued for
14 days. Hepatic
impairment, renal
impairment
serotonin in
CNS. Little
effect on
norepinephrine.
Fluoxetin
e
Prozac
Antidepressant
– inhibits
reuptake of
serotonin
Depression.
OCD
PO 20-60 mg daily
Venlafaxi
ne
(second
generatio
n
phenethyl
amine)
Effexor
Antidepressant
antianxiety –
inhibits
serotonin and
norepinephrine
reuptake in CNS
Major
depressive
illness
Tabs 75mg / 2-3
divided doses up
to 225 mg/daily.
Mosby- 75-375 XR:
75-225
haloperio
dl
Haldol
Antipsychotic –
alters affects
of dopamine in
the CNS
Acute and
chronic
psychotic
disorders:
Schizophreni
a, manic
PO 0.5 – 5mg
2-3 times daily.
Severe up to
100mg/day
diarrhea,
sexual
dysfunction,
excessive
sweating,
pruritus,
tremors
SEZIURES,
anxiety,
drowsiness,
headache,
insomnia,
nervousness,
diarrhea,
sexual
dysfunction,
excessive
sweating,
pruritus,
tremors
SEZIURES,
anxiety,
drowsiness,
headache,
insomnia,
nervousness,
diarrhea,
sexual
dysfunction,
excessive
sweating,
pruritus,
tremors
SEIZURES,
NEUROLEPTIC
MALIGNANT
SYNDROME
extrapyramidal
reactions,
SERIOUS MAO – should
be discontinued for
14 days. Monitor CBC
labs
SERIOUS MAO – should
be discontinued for
14 days. Monitor CBC
labs
Assess mental status
prior and during
therapy. Monitor BP
and P. ECG – QT
Monitor for
Neuroleptic Malignant
states, drug
induced
psychoses
blurred vision,
dry eyes,
constipation,
dry mouth
syndrome. Lab CBC
w/differential and
liver function tests