Exam 1 - Antibiotics page 4

Types of Antiviral drugs

• acyclovir (zovirax)

• virazole or Ribavirin

How is Acyclovir (zovirax) given (3)

• topically

• parentally

• orally

Action of Acyclovir (zovirax) (antiviral)

• inhibits DNA/RNA replication

what does Acyclovir(zovirax) (antiviral) treat

• treats herpes simplex 1 & 2

• herpes zoster (shingles)

• is a treatment, not a cure

• (IV form used for pt with aids)

side effects of Acyclovir (zovirax) (antiviral) [6]

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• headache

• burning

• contradictory if pt has hypersensitivity or allergy to drug

Nursing implications for Acyclovir (zovirax) (antiviral) (2)

• may treat genital herpes

• use topical ointment for cold sores sparingly and use gloves to apply

How is Virazole/Ribavirin given (2) (antiviral)

• nasally

• orally

Virazole/Ribavirin action (antiviral)

• used for respiratory syncytial virus in newborns

• used for CMV retinitis (inflammation of the retina that can lead to blindness)

Virazole/Ribavirin side effects (antiviral) (4)

• rash

• conjunctivitis

• anemia

• mild bronchospasm

Virazole/Ribavirin Nursing Implicaiton (antiviral)

• very expensive

Types of Anti-amebicide/Protozoal (2)

• Metronidazole (Flagyl)

• Pentamidine

Metronidazole (Flagyl) Action [Anti-amebicide]

• kills anaerobic bact. and gram (-)

• also used with aminoglycosides to treat mixed aerobe & anaerobe (ex. bowel surgeries)

How is Metronidazole (Flagyl) given? [Anti-amebicide]

• given - mainly through IV

• can be given orally but only 660-80% absorption

what does Metronidazole (Flagyl) treat? [Anti-amebicide] [3]

• Trichomoniasis (STD)

• Giardiasis (intestinal parasite)

• thrush and other super infections

Metronidazole (Flagyl) side effects [Anti-amebicide]

• nausea, dizziness

• metallic taste in mouth

• overgrowth of superinfections

Metronidazole (Flagyl) nursing implications [4] [Anti-amebicide]

-interferes with alcohol, phenobarb, anticoagulants (check before administration)

-suck on candy to rid of metallic taste

-educate pt about super infections

-do not stop or interrupt medication

Pentamidine action [Anti-amebicide]

• inhibits protein and nucleic acid synthesis

• used for protozoa (ex. pneumocystis carinii (aka ‘AIDS’))

How are Pentamidine given? [Anti-amebicide]

• IM/IV

• nebulizer (fine particles that can be inhaled)

Types of Anti-helminthic Drugs [6]

• Albendazole

• Diethylcarbamazine

• Thiabendazole

• Ivermectin

• Mebendazole

• Niclosamide

Anti-helminthic actions

• treatment for worms

• important to find causative agent in stool

Anti-helminthic side effects [3]

• diarrhea

• abdominal pain

• myelosupression

Anti-helminthic Nursing implications [5]

• 1/3 of world has it (mainly in countries with poor sanitation)

• pinworms can spread within family

• meticulous hand washing

• change bed linens

• keep nails short