Medical Assisting - Pharmacology Unit 2

Benzocaine

Generic Name: Benzocaine

Trade Name: Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, etc.

Classification of Medication: Local anesthetic

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied in a gel, spray, or ointment with strengths varying from 5% to 20%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Benzocaine works by blocking nerve signals in your body. It is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by minor skin irritations, sore throat, sunburn, etc.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects are rare but can include rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Allergic reaction, Methemoglobinemia(reduction of amount of oxygen red blood cells carry), and/or skin irritation, burning, stinging, or sensitivity where the medicine was applied.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.

Benadryl Lotion

Generic Name: Diphenhydramine Topical

Trade Name: Benadryl, Banophen, etc.

Classification of Medication: Antihistamine

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a lotion, gel, or cream with a strength of 1% to 2%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Diphenhydramine works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. It is used to temporarily relieve itching and pain caused by minor burns/cuts/scrapes, sunburn, insect bites, minor skin irritations, or rashes from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include dryness, redness, or cracking of the skin.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with diphenhydramine topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.

Balmex

Generic Name: Zinc Oxide

Trade Name: Balmex, Desitin, etc.

Classification of Medication: Skin protectant

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a cream with a strength of 10% to 40%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Zinc oxide works as a mild astringent and has some antiseptic properties. It is used to prevent and treat diaper rash and other minor skin irritations.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include mild burning, stinging, redness, or irritation.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with zinc oxide topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.

Acticin

Generic Name: Permethrin

Trade Name: Acticin, Elimite, Nix, etc.

Classification of Medication: Scabicide and Pediculicide

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a cream or lotion with a strength of 5%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Permethrin works by killing the mites and their eggs. It is used to treat scabies, a condition caused by tiny insects called mites that infest and irritate your skin.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include mild burning, stinging, or redness.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with permethrin topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes or mouth.

Lotrimin

Generic Name: Clotrimazole

Trade Name: Lotrimin, Mycelex, etc.

Classification of Medication: Antifungal

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a cream, solution, or lotion with a strength of 1%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Clotrimazole works by stopping the growth of fungus. It is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include redness, stinging, swelling, peeling, or itching at the application site.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with clotrimazole topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum.

Tinactin

Generic Name: Tolnaftate

Trade Name: Tinactin, Absorbine Jr., etc.

Classification of Medication: Antifungal

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a cream, powder, spray, or liquid with a strength of 1%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Tolnaftate works by preventing fungi from growing. It is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include minor burning, stinging, or redness.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with tolnaftate topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina.

Abreva

Generic Name: Docosanol

Trade Name: Abreva

Classification of Medication: Antiviral

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a 10% cream.

Mechanism of action/indication: Docosanol works by blocking the virus that causes cold sores from entering the healthy skin cells surrounding the cold sore. It is used to treat fever blisters (cold sores).

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include skin rash, dryness, or itching where the medicine was applied.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with docosanol topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.

Bactroban

Generic Name: Mupirocin

Trade Name: Bactroban

Classification of Medication: Antibiotic

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a 2% cream or ointment.

Mechanism of action/indication: Mupirocin works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria. It is used to treat certain skin infections such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection of the skin.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include burning, stinging, or pain at the application site.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with mupirocin topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes or mouth.

Betadine

Generic Name: Povidone-Iodine

Trade Name: Betadine

Classification of Medication: Antiseptic

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a 10% solution.

Mechanism of action/indication: Povidone-Iodine works by slowly releasing iodine which kills or prevents the growth of infectious microorganisms. It is used to prevent or treat minor skin infections caused by small cuts, scrapes, or burns.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include skin irritation or sensitivity, rash, and swelling.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with povidone iodine topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes or mouth.

Silvadene

Generic Name: Silver Sulfadiazine

Trade Name: Silvadene, SSD, Thermazene, etc.

Classification of Medication: Antibiotic

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a 1% cream.

Mechanism of action/indication: Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may infect an open wound. This helps to prevent the wound from becoming septic. It is used to treat and prevent infections in second- and third-degree burns.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include pain, burning, or itching of the treated skin.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with silver sulfadiazine topical are rare.

Special Considerations: This medication is for use on the skin only.

PanOxyl

Generic Name: Benzoyl Peroxide

Trade Name: PanOxyl, Clearasil, Proactiv, etc.

Classification of Medication: Keratolytic

Dosage/how supplied: It is typically supplied as a cream or gel with strengths varying from 2.5% to 10%.

Mechanism of action/indication: Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria and causing the skin to dry and peel. It is used to treat mild to moderate acne.

Side Effects/Adverse Effects: Side effects can include peeling, itching, irritation, and redness.

Drug interaction/Contraindication: Serious interactions with benzoyl peroxide topical are rare.

Special Considerations: Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, inside your nose or mouth, or on any areas of broken skin.