Meds to remember

Ramipril

Drug Class: ACE inhibitor. Use: Hypertension and heart failure. Nursing priorities: Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and serum potassium; observe for persistent dry cough and signs of angioedema.

Metoprolol

Drug Class: Beta-blocker. Use: Hypertension, angina, and heart failure. Nursing priorities: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure prior to administration; withhold and consult prescriber if bradycardic or hypotensive.

Amlodipine

Drug Class: Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Use: Hypertension and angina pectoris. Nursing priorities: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate; assess for peripheral oedema, flushing, and dizziness.

Irbesartan

Drug Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Use: Hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. Nursing priorities: Monitor blood pressure, kidney function, and serum potassium levels for hyperkalaemia.

Atorvastatin

Drug Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). Use: Hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease prevention. Nursing priorities: Monitor liver function and educate patient to report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Anginine

Drug Class: Nitrate vasodilator (glyceryl trinitrate). Use: Acute relief and prophylaxis of angina. Nursing priorities: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate; observe for postural hypotension and headache; administer with the patient seated or lying down.

Warfarin

Drug Class: Oral vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant. Use: Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic events. Nursing priorities: Monitor INR regularly, assess for signs of bleeding or bruising, and ensure consistent dietary intake of vitamin K.

Enoxaparin

Drug Class: Low-molecular-weight heparin (anticoagulant). Use: Prevention and management of DVT and pulmonary embolism. Nursing priorities: Administer via deep subcutaneous injection into the abdominal wall, assess for bleeding, and monitor platelet count.

Aspirin

Drug Class: Antiplatelet agent and NSAID. Use: Secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Nursing priorities: Monitor for signs of gastrointestinal bleeding or bruising; administer with food to reduce gastric irritation.

Spironolactone

Drug Class: Potassium-sparing diuretic and aldosterone antagonist. Use: Heart failure, oedema, and resistant hypertension. Nursing priorities: Monitor serum potassium (risk of hyperkalaemia), renal function, and blood pressure.

Amiodarone

Drug Class: Class III antiarrhythmic. Use: Serious ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Nursing priorities: Monitor ECG for QT prolongation and bradycardia, check baseline and ongoing thyroid, liver, and pulmonary function.

Morphine

Drug Class: Opioid analgesic. Use: Moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. Nursing priorities: Assess pain score, sedation level, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and bowel function; monitor for life-threatening respiratory depression.

Fentanyl

Drug Class: Potent synthetic opioid analgesic. Use: Severe acute pain and chronic cancer pain. Nursing priorities: Assess respiratory rate, sedation score, and blood pressure; ensure safe disposal of transdermal patches and prevent exposure to external heat sources.

Endone

Drug Class: Immediate-release oxycodone (opioid analgesic). Use: Moderate to severe acute pain. Nursing priorities: Assess pain, sedation, and respiratory status; evaluate rapid onset of action and administer aperients to prevent constipation.

OxyContin

Drug Class: Modified-release oxycodone (opioid analgesic). Use: Continuous management of chronic severe pain. Nursing priorities: Must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed; assess pain scores, sedation level, and respiratory rate.

Targin

Drug Class: Modified-release oxycodone combined with naloxone. Use: Severe chronic pain with reduced opioid-induced constipation. Nursing priorities: Never crush or divide modified-release tablets; assess analgesia, sedation, and bowel function.

Tramadol

Drug Class: Atypical opioid analgesic and SNRI. Use: Moderate to severe pain. Nursing priorities: Monitor pain score, sedation, and respiratory function; monitor for serotonin syndrome risk, particularly when combined with serotonergic agents like sertraline.

Gabapentin

Drug Class: Anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent. Use: Neuropathic pain and partial seizures. Nursing priorities: Monitor for CNS depression, sedation, dizziness, ataxia, and additive sedative effects when prescribed alongside opioids.

Haloperidol

Drug Class: Typical first-generation antipsychotic. Use: Delirium, acute agitation, and psychotic disorders. Nursing priorities: Monitor neurological status, sedation, extrapyramidal side effects or movement disorders, and ECG for QT prolongation risk.

Metoclopramide

Drug Class: Dopamine antagonist antiemetic and prokinetic. Use: Nausea, vomiting, and delayed gastric emptying. Nursing priorities: Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms and acute dystonic reactions; monitor bowel motility and hydration status.

Ondansetron

Drug Class: 5-HT3 receptor antagonist antiemetic. Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting. Nursing priorities: Assess antiemetic response, monitor bowel habits (common cause of constipation), and monitor ECG for QT prolongation.

Salbutamol

Drug Class: Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) bronchodilator. Use: Relief of bronchospasm in asthma and COPD. Nursing priorities: Assess respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and work of breathing; monitor heart rate for tachycardia and assess for fine tremor.

Ipratropium Bromide

Drug Class: Short-acting anticholinergic (muscarinic antagonist) bronchodilator. Use: Maintenance and acute relief of bronchospasm in COPD and asthma. Nursing priorities: Assess breath sounds and respiratory effort; ensure nebuliser mask fits securely to prevent ocular exposure; monitor for dry mouth.

Lantus

Drug Class: Long-acting basal insulin analogue (insulin glargine). Use: Glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus. Nursing priorities: Administer subcutaneously once daily at the same time, check blood glucose levels, never mix in the same syringe with other insulins, and educate on hypoglycaemia.

Actrapid

Drug Class: Short-acting soluble human insulin. Use: Mealtime glycaemic management and diabetic ketoacidosis. Nursing priorities: Coordinate administration with meal timing (typically 30 minutes before eating), monitor blood glucose levels, and observe for hypoglycaemia.

Metformin

Drug Class: Biguanide oral hypoglycaemic agent. Use: Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nursing priorities: Check renal function (eGFR); withhold prior to iodinated contrast procedures or during acute dehydrating illness to mitigate the risk of lactic acidosis.

Sertraline

Drug Class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Use: Major depression and anxiety disorders. Nursing priorities: Monitor mental state, neurological changes, and watch for signs of serotonin syndrome, especially when combined with medications like tramadol.

Vancomycin

Drug Class: Glycopeptide antibiotic. Use: Severe Gram-positive bacterial infections including MRSA. Nursing priorities: Monitor renal function and therapeutic trough levels, control IV infusion rate to prevent Red Man syndrome, and inspect vascular access sites for phlebitis.