Medications

Acetaminophen

Used to treat mild pain and fever; directly affects the neural and muscular/skeletal system.

Routes of Acetaminophen administration

PO, Rectal, IV (infuse over 15 minutes)

Common side effects of Acetaminophen

Constipation, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, fatigue

Diazepam (Valium)

Used to treat anxiety disorders and as a sedative; also a skeletal muscle relaxant.

Routes of Diazepam administration

PO, Nasal Spray, Rectal gel, IV (5mg/mL at a rate of 1-2mg/min)

Common side effects of Diazepam

Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, depression, headaches

Hydrocodone (Hysingla ER)

Used to manage moderate to severe pain; directly affects the neural and muscular/skeletal systems.

Routes of Hydrocodone administration

PO

Common side effects of Hydrocodone

Sweating, constipation, nausea, depression, dizziness

Ketorolac (Sprix)

Used for short term pain management; it is non-opioid.

Routes of Ketorolac administration

PO, Intranasal, Ophthalmic, IV (15-30 mg/mL over at least 50 sec)

Common side effects of Ketorolac

Drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea

Meloxicam (Mobic)

Used to relieve signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Routes of Meloxicam administration

PO

Common side effects of Meloxicam

Anemia, abdominal pain, nausea, hypertension

Midazolam (Nayzilam)

Used to treat anxiety and seizures; a sedative.

Routes of Midazolam administration

PO, IV (1mg/mL or 5mg/mL slowly over 2-5 min, diluted 0.03-3mg/mL slowly over 2-5 min)

Common side effects of Midazolam

Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, suicidal thoughts

Morphine (Kadian, MS Cotin, Duramorph)

Used to treat severe pain; only for opioid tolerant patients.

Routes of Morphine administration

PO, Sub-q, Rectal, Epidural, IM, IV (slowly at 2.5/15 mg over 5 minutes)

Common side effects of Morphine

Hypotension, consolidation, confusion, sedation

Prednisone (Rayos)

Used to treat chronic diseases with inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.

Routes of Prednisone administration

PO, IM, IV

Common side effects of Prednisone

Hyperglycemia, mood swings, acne, headache

Sertraline (Zoloft)

An antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, etc.

Routes of Sertraline administration

PO

Common side effects of Sertraline

Increased sweating, thirst, diarrhea, nausea, bleeding, suicidal thoughts

Cyanocobalamin (Nascobal)

Used to treat vitamin B12 deficiencies like pernicious anemia.

Routes of Cyanocobalamin administration

PO with meals (if oral not possible, use IM, SUBQ, or intranasal)

Common side effects of Cyanocobalamin

Itching, rashes, fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea

Docusate Sodium

Used as a laxative to soften stool and prevent constipation.

Routes of Docusate Sodium administration

PO, Rectal as enema (not for post-rectal surgery patients)

Common side effects of Docusate Sodium

Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

Ferrous Sulfate

Used as an antianemic and iron supplement to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Routes of Ferrous Sulfate administration

PO

Common side effects of Ferrous Sulfate

Constipation, dark stools, epigastric pain, nausea, dizziness, headache; may stain teeth when taken liquid.

Glycerin

Used to treat constipation.

Routes of Glycerin administration

Rectal

Common side effects of Glycerin

Diarrhea, nausea, headache, rectal irritation

Metoclopramide (Gimoti, Reglan)

Blocks dopamine receptors to stimulate GI motility and decrease nausea/vomiting.

Routes of Metoclopramide administration

PO, IM, Intranasal, IV (slowly over 1-2 minutes)

Common side effects of Metoclopramide

Drowsiness, Dysgeusia, restlessness, anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea