Consultation Notes & Potential Risks

Generic (Brand)

• (1*) PROMPTLY contact a physician if side effects become severe/persistent

ALL medications

• (2*) store tab(s)/cap(s) in cool, dry place away from sunlight & children

ALL NON-refrigerated dosage forms

• (3*) SHAKE suspension WELL before use

ALL suspensions

• (4*) cases of pseudomembranous colitis, C. Diff., & secondary bacterial infections have occurred during treatment OR due to prolonged use

RISK of broad-spectrum antibiotics

• (5*) Complete FULL course of therapy unless otherwise directed

ALL antibiotics

• (6*) may cause tendinitis, tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, increased intracranial pressure, convulsions, psychosis, CNS effects, fatal hypersensitivity reactions, & exacerbation of myasthenia gravis

• (6*) increased risk of aneurysm & dissection for up to 2 months following use

• (6*) D/C & contact physician if a rash develops or experience pain, inflammation, or rupture of tendon

RISK of ALL fluoroquinolone antibiotics except ophthalmic formulations

• take IMMEDIATELY upon arising for the day

• take with a full glass of water

• take at least 30 min. before 1st food, beverage, or medication of the day

• do NOT lie down for 30 min. after taking NOR before 1st food of the day is consumed

• do NOT crush, chew, or suck on tablet

• do NOT double doses if dose is missed, skip it, & then return to dosing schedule

• PROMPTLY report ANY upper GI distress to physician/pharmacist

• (1*)

• (2*)

Alendronate Sodium (Fosamax)

• D/C 72 hr. PRIOR to & DURING periods of prolonged immobilization

• AVOID prolonged restrictions of movement during travel

• advisable to take calcium & vitamin D supplements IF dietary intake is inadequate

• PROMPTLY report any signs of blood clots to physician

• signs of blood clots include pains in the claves/leg swelling, sudden chest pain, SOB/coughing blood, or changes in vision

• D/C if pregnancy is suspected

• take ASAP if dose is missed & return to dosing schedule

• (1*)

• (2*)

Raloxifene HCl (Evista)

• PREFERABLY taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour BEFORE or 2 hours AFTER meal

• take with a full glass of water

• take ATC

• keep suspension REFRIGERATED; discard any remainder after 14 days

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Amoxicillin Trihydrate (Amoxil, Moxatag, & Trimox)

• PREFERABLY taken at the START of meals to ENHANCE absorption & DECREASE GI upset

• take ATC

• keep suspension REFRIGERATED; discard any remainder after 10 days

• if a dose is MISSED, take it ASAP

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Amoxicillin with Clavulanate Potassium (Augmentin & Augmentin XR)

• tab(s) & susp PREFERABLY taken with food

• Zmax SPECIFICALLY should be taken on an EMPTY stomach 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal

• do NOT take antacids w/in 1 hr of dose

• if a dose MISSED, take it ASAP

• do NOT refrigerate suspension; discard any remainder after course of therapy completed

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Azithromycin Dihydrate (Zithromax & Zmax)

• do NOT take antacids NOR iron supplements w/in 2 hr of dose

• do NOT refrigerate suspension; discard any remainder after 10 days of MIXING

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Cefdinir (Omnicef)

• PREFERABLY taken on an EMPTY stomach 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal

• take ATC

• keep suspension REFRIGERATED; discard any remainder after 14 days

• if a dose MISSED, take it ASAP

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Cephalexin Monohydrate (Keflex)

• AVOID prolonged exposure of skin to sunlight

• drink a full glass of water after each dose

• PREFERABLY taken 2 hr after meal

• do NOT take antacids NOR products containing calcium, zinc, nor iron AT THE SAME TIME as dose; take either 2 hr BEFORE or 6 hr AFTER

• refrigeration of suspension UNNECESSARY, but may help w/ taste; discard any remainder after 14 days

• may cause dizziness/light headedness, so USE CAUTION when operating machinery/mental alertness required

• do NOT chew, crush, NOR split XR tab

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (5*)

• (6*)

Ciprofloxacin HCl (Cipro & Cipro XR)

• if a dose MISSED, take ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• drink a full glass of water after dose

• either take w/ or w/out meals

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (5*)

Clindamycin HCl (Cleocin)

• PREFERABLY taken on an EMPTY stomach 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal

• take dose w/ a full glass of water

• MAY be taken w/ food or milk IF GI upset occurs

• take ATC

• AVOID prolonged exposure to sunlight

• if a dose missed, take it ASAP

• do NOT refrigerate suspension; discard any remainder after course of therapy complete

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Doxycycline Hyclate (Vibramycin & Doryx)

• if dose MISSED, take it ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• drink a full glass of water after dose

• take either w or w/o meal

• do NOT take antacids, sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, NOR MVI containing zinc w/in 2 hr of dose

• AVOID prolonged exposure of skin to sunlight drink

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (5*)

• (6*)

Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

• PREFERABLY taken on an EMPTY stomach 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal

• take w/ a full glass of water

• MAY be taken w/ food or milk IF GI upset occurs

• take ATC

• if a dose MISSED, take it ASAP

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Minocycline HCl (Minocin, Dynacin, & Solodyn ER)

• report dermatitis or swelling to physician

• cover area w/ a SMALL film

• do NOT rub in

• do NOT use in NOR around eyes

• do NOT use nasal ointment w/ ANY other nasal medications

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Mupirocin (Bactroban)

• to INSTILL drops: LIE DOWN or TILT HEAD BACK & LOOK UP, hold dropper above eye, drop solution inside LOWER EYELID(s) & make sure dropper does NOT come in contact with eye NOR fingers, release lid, keep eye OPEN for at least 30 sec, & apply pressure to inside corner of eye for at least 1 min

• WAIT at least 5 min BEFORE instilling OTHER ophthalmic medications

• AVOID tightly closing eyes AFTER instillation

• if a dose MISSED, instill it ASAP

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Ofloxacin (Ocuflox)

• PREFERABLY taken on an EMPTY stomach 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal

• take dose w/ a full glass of water

• AVOID prolonged exposure to sunlight

• do NOT refrigerate suspension; discard any remainder after course of therapy complete

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (5*

Sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim (Bactrim & Septra)

• PREFERABLY taken on an EMPTY stomach

• stay WELL hydrated

• AVOID alcohol/salicylates & prolonged exposure to natural/artificial light

• follow appropriate contraceptive measures during therapy and for 3 months (male) & 1 ovulatory cycle (female) after completing therapy

• if a dose MISSED & on a weekly schedule, take it ASAP & restart weekly schedule from that date

• if a dose MISSED & on daily schedule, contact physician

• get PERIODIC lab work during therapy

• report to physician any diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, black stools, jaundice, unexplained muscle pain, any type of infection, sore throat, cough, dyspnea, hypoxemia, fever, or any type of unknown skin reaction

• (1*)

• (2*)

Methotrexate (Trexall)

• take ONLY as prescribed

• do NOT D/C w/o consulting physician

• may take with food or milk if GI upset occurs

• if a dose MISSED, take it ASAP

• do NOT undergo any form of immunization w/ live NOR live-attenuated vaccines

• (1*)

• (2*)

Dexamethasone (Decadron), Methylprednisolone (Medrol), & Prednisone (Deltasone): Anti-Inflammatory

• may reduce BMD because it lowers circulating estrogen levels

• may increase total cholesterol levels

• if dose MISSED, take it ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• report to physician marked weakness, drowsiness, pain/swelling of legs, blurred vision, or SOB

• (1*)

• (2*)

Anastrozole (Arimidex) & Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex)

• take WITH food to enhance absorption

• take ATC

• may cause discoloration of the urine (rare)

• if a dose MISSED, skip it, & return to dosing schedule

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (3*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, & Furadantin)

• may take with food or milk IF GI upset occurs

• AVOID alcohol DURING therapy & for 1 day AFTER therapy due to disulfiram-type reactions

• use of condom us recommended during the treatment of trichomoniasis to avoid reinfection

• if a dose MISSED, take ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• contact physician if experiencing numbness/paresthesia of an extremity

• (1*)

• (2*)

• (4*)

• (5*)

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

• may be taken WITHOUT regards to meal(s)

• if a dose MISSED, take ASAP, BUT if taken w/in 12 hr of the next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule

• do NOT take OTC cough nor cold remedies w/o first checking with physician/pharmacist

• do NOT stop therapy unless directed to do so by physician

• (1*)

• (2*)

Amlodipine Besylate (Norvasc)

• may be taken WITHOUT regards to meal(s)

• do NOT stop therapy unless directed to do so by physician

• do NOT take OTC cough nor cold remedies w/o first checking with physician/pharmacist

• AVOID salt substitutes containing potassium

• report ANY facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or infection

• if a dose MISSED, take ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• (1*)

• (2*)

Amlodipine Besylate with Benazepril HCl (Lotrel)

• take dose on an EMPTY stomach at least 1 hr BEFORE or 2 hr AFTER meal unless otherwise directed by physician

• do NOT stop therapy unless directed to do so by physician

• if a dose MISSED, take ASAP, BUT if closer to next dose, SKIP it, & return to dosing schedule; do NOT double doses

• may cause dizziness

• use CAUTION while operating machinery/mental alertness required

• (1*)

• (2*)

Diltiazem HCl (Cardizem (CD), Cartia, Dilacor, Dilt-XR, & Tiazec)