ATI 5 Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Contraindications Flashcards

Adverse effects

Undesired, inadvertent, and often severe responses to a medication that can occur at therapeutic or higher-than-therapeutic doses; may lead to discontinuation.

Side effects

Effects that occur at therapeutic doses and usually do not require stopping the medication.

MedWatch

FDA program for reporting adverse drug events and safety concerns.

Drug interactions

Interactions occur when two or more medications (or foods/herbal products) modify each other’s effects.

Contraindication

A condition or factor that makes the use of a drug unsafe or potentially harmful.

Precautions

Guidelines to minimize risk when using a drug in patients with identified risk factors.

CNS stimulation

Increased central nervous system activity that can lead to excitement or seizures with certain drugs.

CNS depression

Decreased CNS activity that can impair cognition and function; may require avoiding activities like driving.

Hepatotoxicity

Liver injury caused by a drug; monitor liver function tests and signs like nausea and jaundice; acetylcysteine as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity.

Nephrotoxicity

Kidney injury from drugs; monitor BUN/creatinine, urine output, and drug levels for nephrotoxic agents.

Ototoxicity

Damage to the inner ear causing hearing or balance problems, often from aminoglycosides.

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Involuntary movements, rigidity, restlessness; common with CNS-acting drugs; treated with anticholinergics.

Anaphylaxis

Life-threatening systemic allergic reaction requiring immediate treatment with epinephrine and supportive measures.

Angioedema

Deep tissue swelling (lips, face, airway) that can be life-threatening; often related to NSAIDs or ACE inhibitors.

Allergic asthma

Asthma symptoms triggered by allergen exposure; rapid onset and potentially life-threatening.

Tyramine-MAOI interaction

Tyramine-containing foods with MAO inhibitors can cause hypertensive crisis.

Grapefruit juice interaction

Inhibits intestinal drug metabolism, increasing systemic levels of certain medications.

Vitamin K-warfarin interaction

Consistent dietary vitamin K intake is necessary; high or low changes can affect warfarin’s effect.

Tetracycline-dairy interaction

Dairy forms insoluble complexes with tetracycline, reducing absorption; avoid dairy within 2 hours of dosing.

Penicillin allergy contraindication

History of penicillin allergy suggests withholding penicillin or using an alternative.

Orthostatic hypotension

Postural drop in blood pressure when standing; managed by slow position changes and monitoring.

Acetylcysteine

Antidote for acetaminophen toxicity; administered to minimize liver injury.

Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin) nephrotoxicity

Nephrotoxic antibiotics that injure proximal renal tubule cells; monitor creatinine, BUN, and drug peaks/troughs.

Aminoglycosides and ototoxicity

Potential damage to hearing/balance; monitor for ototoxic signs during therapy.

Immunosuppressants and infection masking

Glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressants can mask infection signs; monitor closely for subtle infection symptoms.

EPS prevention and treatment

Identify and manage extrapyramidal symptoms promptly; use anticholinergics as needed; stop offending drug if appropriate.