common critical care pain meds

opiates & opioids

morphine, heroin, hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol

opioids NI

monitor respiratory & CNS depression, drug seeking behaviors, educate against alcohol, naloxone antidote

general anesthesia

propofol, ketamine, precedex, etomidate

general anesthesia NI

ensure correct dosing, propofol contraindicated with high triglyceride levels or egg allergy, precedex causes bradycardia, ketamine causes severe agitation & hallucinations

NSAIDS

toradol DOC for severe pain; ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen

NSAID NI

monitor kidney function, bleeding s/s; peds: toradol causes adverse effects after 5 days, aspirin causes reyes syndrome

antiepileptics

gabapentin/neurontin, pregabalin/lyrica; used for seizures, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, neuropathy

antiepileptic NI

gabapentin formulations are not interchangeable, monitor CNS depression, admin with food, avoid ginko biloba supplements, don’t stop abruptly

schedule I drugs:

no accepted medical use: heroin, LSD, cannabis, ecstasy, peyote