Drugs

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Action(How it works):

• Causes vasoconstriction of cranial arteries

• Serotonin agonist (increases serotonin)

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Classification:

• Serotonin Agonist

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Use:

• Treats migraine or cluster headaches

• Can be use to prevent migraines as well

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Side Effects (common):

• Dizziness

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Warm sensation

• Drowsiness

• Seizures

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• diarrhea

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Dysrhythmias

• Thromboembolus

• Heart attack

• stroke

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Special information:

• You may feel chest pressure or heaviness but this is common side effect

• Monitor Vital Signs closely after the first dose

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Teaching:

• Make sure they tell provider is they feel tightness in chest or heaviness in back jaw or throat

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Contraindications:

• Clients who have history of heart problems should not take this

• Caution for clients with liver or kidney insufficiency

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Action(How it works):

• Reduces prostaglandins which changes the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body

• COX inhibitor

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Classification:

• Analgesics/ Antipyretics

• Nonopioid

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Use:

• Relieves headaches

• Fevers

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Side Effects (common):

• Abdominal pain

• Skin rash

• Bloody or tarry stool

• Cloudy urine

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Liver damage 

• hypertension

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Special information:

• Risk of liver injury 

• Antidote is Acetylcysteine

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Teaching:

• Warn about acetaminophen toxicity

• Report any abdominal discomfort

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Contraindications:

Don't take if have alcohol use disorder

Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Action(How it works):

• Suppresses abnormal neuron firing

• Suppresses sodium influx

• High protein barrier

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Classification:

• Hydantoin 

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Use:

• Help control seizures (mainly tonic-clonic seizures)

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Side Effects (common):

• Drowsiness

• Decreased coordinations

• Sluggishness

• Ataxia

• Depression

• Gingival hyperplasia

• Nausea/vomiting

• Pink-brownish urine

• hyper/hypotension

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• V-fib

• Blood dyscrasias

  • WBC/PLT

• Steven-Johnson syndrome

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Special information:

• Not for IV drip

• Give slow push or PO

• Monitor for excessive drowsiness because if so you need to relook at the therapeutic level

• Monitor serum drug levels

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Teaching:

• Do not stop medicine abruptly

• Report if having sore throat, bruising, and nosebleeds

• Protect from environmental hazards

• CAN NOT DRIVE UNTIL MEDICALLY CLEARED

• Wear medical alert identification

• NO alcohol

• Diabetics must monitor glucose carefully

• Take drug at same time everyday

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Contraindications:

• Anticoagulants

• Antidiabetic meds

• Oral contraceptives

• Antihistamines

• Antipsychotics

• Herbal OTCs

• CNS depressants

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Action(How it works):

Neutralize hydrochloric acid and reduce pepsin activity

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Classification:

• Antacids (aluminum based)

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Use:

• Peptic ulcer disease

• GERD

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Side Effects (common):

constipation

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Adverse effects (life threatening);

• Hypophosphatemia

  • Low levels of phosphorus

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Special information:

• Assess RENAL status and electrolytes

• Assess for decreased gastric distress

• Monitor bowel function

• Monitor phosphorus levels

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Teaching:

• 1 or 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Should not take with other meds or food because delays absorption for all

• Take with water only

• Chew tablets carefully

• Increase fluid and fiber intake

• Report any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding

Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel)

Contraindications:

• Don't take with meds wait 2 hours

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Action(How it works):

• Suppresses gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the hydrogen/K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) enzyme system located in the gastric parietal  cells

• Block the final step of acid production

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Classification:

• Proton Pump Inhibitors

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Use:

• GERD

• Gastric Ulcers

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Side Effects (common):

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Diarrhea constipation

• Rash

• Elevated AST

• Elevated ALT

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Increased risk for none ;oss

• hypomagnesemia

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Special information:

• Given IV to prevent stress ulcer

• Watch liver enzymes

• Give at lower dose for shortest time possible

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Teaching:

• Take before first meal of day

• Perform weight bearing exercise

• Consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D to prevent bone loss

• Drink more fluids

Pantoprazole (Protonix) / Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Contraindications:

• Don't take if have liver dysfunction

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Action(How it works):

• Mucosal protective drug

• Forms a viscous layer over ulcers

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Classification:

• Pepsin inhibitor

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Use:

• GERD

• Ulcers

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Side Effects (common):

• Constipation

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

Constipation

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Special information:

• Does not absorb pr interfere with acid production

• Has other uses such as mouth coating and cover pressure ulcers

• Monitor bowel function

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Teaching:

• Given before meals (30 minutes) and at HS

• Allow time lapse before other meds and food

• Take on empty stomach

• Increase fluid and fiber intake

Carafate (Sucralfate)

Contraindications:

• Renal failure

• Diabetes

• Blood thinners

• Antibiotics

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Action(How it works):

• Blocks H2 receptors of the parietal cells in the stomach

  • Reduces gastric acid secretion

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Classification:

• Histamine (H2) Blockers

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Use:

• Gerd

• Ulcers

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Side Effects (common):

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• constipation

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Confusion

• Arrhythmias

• Increased risk of pneumonia

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Special information:

• Promotes healing of ulcers 

• Prevention of stress ulcers

• Given via IV,PO

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Teaching:

• Take full dose 

• No smoking

• No alcohol

• No aspirin

• No NSAIDS

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Contraindications:

• Do not take with antacids

• Caution in older adults

• Not for clients with kidney or liver dysfunction

• Increases level of Warfarin

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Action(How it works):

• Suppresses acid secretion and increases protective mucous

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Classification:

• Prostaglandin E1 analogue

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Use:

Prevention of gastric ulcers from long term NSAID use

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Side Effects (common):

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Flatus

• Nausea/vomiting

• Painful menstruation

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Spontaneous abortion

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Special information:

• Co-administered with NSAIDS for prevention of ulcers

• Monitor for severe diarrhea and abdominal pain

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Teaching:

• Given four times a day with each meal and before bed

• Use an effective form of contraception during medication therapy

• Report worsening diarrhea

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Avoid alcohol

• Avoid food that will irritate Gi tract

Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Contraindications:

• Do not give to pregnant client as it has teratogenic effects

• Not for clients under 18

Meclizine (Antivert)

Action(How it works):

blocks vomiting center and chemo trigger zone

Meclizine (Antivert)

Classification:

• Antihistamines

• Antiemetics 

Meclizine (Antivert)
Use:

• Prevents nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion

• Stops vestibular stimulation in middle ear by blocking histamine receptors

Meclizine (Antivert)

Side Effects (common):

• Drowsiness

• Dryness of the mouth

• Constipation

• Urinary retention

Meclizine (Antivert)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• sedation

Meclizine (Antivert)

Special information:

• Safety considerations are priority due to client being drowsny and nauseous

Meclizine (Antivert)

Teaching:

• Ice chips and hard candy help with dryness

• DO NOT DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PRESCRIPTION ANTIHISTAMINES

• Take fiber supplement as needed

• Increase fluid intake

Meclizine (Antivert)

Contraindications:

• Not for glaucoma clients

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Action(How it works):

• Blocks Ach at chemo trigger zone

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Classification:

• Anticholinergics

• Antiemetics

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Use:

• Motion sickness

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Side Effects (common):

• Dry mouth

• Drowsiness

• Blurred vision

• constipation

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• Confusion

• Hallucinations 

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Special information:

• Patch that goes behind ear

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Teaching:

• Drink more fluids

• Ice chips and hard candy help with dryness

Scopolamine (Trans-derm Scop)

Contraindications:

• Not for glaucoma patients

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Action(How it works):

• Blocks dopamine receptors in CTZ

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Classification:

• Dopamine antagonists

• Antiemetics 

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Use:

• Controls nausea and vomiting

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Side Effects (common):

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Blurred vision

• Tachycardia

• Constipation

• Urinary retention

• photosensitivity

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

• EPS

  • Extrapyramidal symptoms

  • Looks likes parkinson

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Special information:

• Blocking dopamine comes with great cost

  • Stops behaviors relating to mental health disorder and addiction

• Can't reverse effects of EPS

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Teaching:

• Can use ice chips and hard candy for dry mouth

• Use directly as prescribed

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Contraindications:

• Do not use with anything that affects the brain

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Action(How it works):

• Blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors in CTZ

• Encourages action of ACh in upper GI tract increases motility and emptying

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Classification:

• Mixed Dopamine antagonist

• Antiemetics

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Use:

• Post Op

• Cancer induced nausea

• GERD

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Side Effects (common):

• Sedation

• Diarrhea

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Adverse effects (life threatening):

EPS

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Special information:

• Can't reverse effects of EPS

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Teaching:

• Do not drive until you know how it affects her

• May affect movement

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Contraindications:

• GI obstruction

• Perforation

• Bleeding

• hemorrhage

Ondansetron (Zofran)

Action(How it works):

• Blocks serotonin in CTZ

• Relaxation effect at sensory tract level in upper GI (stomach)

Ondansetron (Zofran)

Classification:

• Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists

• Antiemetics

Ondansetron (Zofran)

Use:

• Treats nausea and vomiting from chemo, radiation therapy and postoperative recovery

Ondansetron (Zofran)

Side Effects (common):

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• diarrhea