common medications

Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

(Statin)

treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke

Hydrochloro-thiazide (Microzide)

(Diuretic)

treat high blood pressure and fluid retention (edema)

Furosemide (Lasix)

(Loop Diuretic)

treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling caused by congestive heart failure

Potassium Chloride

(Potassium Supplement)

treat low potassium levels or hypokalemia

Captopril

(ACE Inhibitors)

ACE inhibitor. treat high blood pressure and heart failure. reduce the risk of death after a heart attack and treat kidney problems caused by diabetes.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

(Cardiac Glycoside)

treat heart failure and heart rhythm problems.

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

(Carbonic Anhydrase (protein) Inhibitor)

treat heart failure

Gentamycin

(Aminoglycosides Antibiotic)

treat serious bacterial infections in many different parts of the body

Warfarin (Coumadin)

(Anticoagulant)

treat and prevent blood clots

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

(Anticoagulant)

prevent blood clots in the leg in patients who are on bedrest or who are having hip replacement

Timolol maleate (Timoptic)

(Beta Blocker)

treat high blood pressure and migraine headaches

treat glaucoma in the eye

Metoprolol

(Beta Blocker)

treat chest pain (angina), heart failure, & decrease high blood pressure prevent stroke, heart attacks

Docusate Sodium

stool softener

Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (Percocet)

treat moderate to moderately severe pain

Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

(Antiplatelet)

Reduce pain; reduce inflammation; reduce fever — blood thinner

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

(Analgesics)

treat minor aches and pains

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

(Antiplatelet)

prevent stroke

Ferrous Sulfate (Iron)

treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia

Insulin

move glucose from our bloodstream into the body's cells to make energy

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

(Calcium Channel Blocker)

treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina)

Diltiazem (Cardizem)

(Calcium Channel Blocker)

treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina)

Levetiracetam (Keppra)

(Anticonvulsant)

treat seizures

Calcium

supply the body with calcium if the regular diet does not provide enough

Atorvastatin

Lower bad cholesterol and fats (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL); slow progress of heart disease; prevent strokes and heart attacks

Donepezil Hydrochloride

treat confusion (dementia); Alzheimer’s Disease; may improve memory, awareness, and ability to function

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

(Anticoagulant)

prevent formation of blood clots; treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE)); prevent blood vessel complications in people with chest pain (angina) or heart attack (MI)— blood thinner

Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium)

Treat acid reflux, gastric ulcers; decreasing amount of acid your stomach makes; relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing & persistent cough; heals acid damage to stomach and esophagus

Ibuprofen

Reduce pain; reduce inflammation; reduce fever

Heparin Sodium

(Anticoagulants)

treat or prevent blood clots (lungs, legs, atrial fibrillation), for bedridden patients

Omeprazole

Treat acid reflux, gastric ulcers; decreasing amount of acid your stomach makes; relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing & persistent cough; heals acid damage to stomach and esophagus; treat GERD

Metformin (Glucopahge)

help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (stimulates production of insulin in pancreas)

Acetaminophen Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, dark urine, jaundice

Acetaminophen Nursing interventions

Assess overall health status, type of pain along with the location and intensity; assess fever; if overdose — Acetylcysteine is the antidote, monitor liver

Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, GI bleeding

Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) Nursing Interventions

assess fever, for inflammation; for decreased ROM; monitor platelet count, bleeds, GI upset

Amlodipine Besylate Side Effects

Dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling anklets/feet (peripheral edema), or flushing, nausea, pounding heartbeats, worsening chest pain, low BP, bradycardia

Amlodipine Besylate Nursing interventions

Assess BP, pulse; assess frequency and characteristics of angina attacks; watch for edema

Atorvastatin Side Effects

Muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fever, unusual tiredness, dark colored urine, pain or burning when you urinate, upset stomach, weakness

Atorvastatin Nursing interventions

Obtain diet history, especially with regard to fat consumption; monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels before & after; monitor liver function tests; assess for muscle tenderness & jaundice; monitor for proximal muscle weakness; don’t give with grapefruit juice

Calcium Carbonate Side Effects

Angioedema or pulmonary edema (biggest problems); Constipation, gas, burping, upset stomach, high levels of calcium causing nausea, vomiting, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, hyperkalemia, osteoporosis

Calcium Carbonate Nursing interventions

Observe for hypocalcemia; elevating and padding side rails; assess for heartburn, indigestion and abdominal pain; inspect abdomen; auscultate bowel sounds; monitor serum calcium or ionized calcium, and phosphate levels; need vitamin D

Captopril Side Effects

easy bleeding/bruising (hemotoria), stomach upset/pain, diarrhea & constipation; pruritus (itching); rash

Captopril Nursing interventions

assess for symptoms of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or heart attack; monitor CBC with differential & platelet count; monitor bleed time

Digoxin (Lanoxin) Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, Halos with eyes, electrolyte imbalance, hyperkalemia, dig-toxicity

Digoxin (Lanoxin) Nursing interventions

monitor apical pulse, if pulse below 60 (bradycardia), do not administer this medication; often taken with potassium (check normal potassium level for 3.5-5); monitor BP, ECG; monitor for toxicity; Digoxin WNL is 0.5 - 2; monitor sodium levels (135-145)

Diltiazem Side Effects

Dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, flushing, constipation, headache, slow heartbeats (bradycardia), pounding heartbeats (palpations), peripheral edema, low BP

Diltiazem Nursing interventions

Monitor BP, pulse, ECG, intake and output ratios, serum potassium, renal and hepatic functions; Assess for location, duration, intensity of anginal pain

Docusate Sodium Side Effects

Stomach pain, diarrhea, cramping, rectal bleeding

Docusate Sodium Nursing interventions

assess for abdominal distention, presence of bowel sounds, color of stool, consistency of stool and amount produced

Donepezil Hydrochloride Side Effects

difficult urination; bradycardia; hypotension; bronchoconstriction

Donepezil Hydrochloride Nursing interventions

Obtain vital signs 1st; assess cognitive functions (memory, attention, reasoning, language and ability to perform simple tasks); monitor HR

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) Side effects

bruising, redness, irritation at injection site; easy bruising, blood in urine/stools, coughing up blood or vomit like coffee grounds, hematemesis, any bleeding (epicatis, ecchymosis)

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) Nursing interventions

Pre-filled syringe; assess for swelling, pain, redness, discoloration, provide comfort (graduated compression stockings); leg exercise to increase venous flow; don’t rub injection site; rotate sites (lipodystrophy prevention)

Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium) Side Effects

Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low magnesium blood level: unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, signs of lupus (rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint pain)

Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium) Nursing interventions

Assess for epigastric or abdominal pain; monitor bowel function: diarrhea, abdominal, fever and bloody stools; monitor CBC, INR, prothrombin in patients taking warfarin, serum magnesium

Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO4) Side Effects

Constipation, upset stomach, black

stools (not harmful)

Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO4) Nursing interventions

Monitor iron levels & serum ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit; vitamin C would help with absorption; dairy decreases absorption

Furosemide (loop diuretic) Side Effects

Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, dehydration, weakness, confusion, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting; sodium and potassium imbalance - hyperkalemia - hyponatremia; hypotension; otoxicity (ear ringing)

Furosemide (loop diuretic) Nursing interventions

Assess fluid status, hypotension, fall risks, edema & depression of edema, skin turgor, monitor BP; sulfur allergy = do not give med; vitamin k diet; daily weigh ins for weight gain; vital signs; monitor BUN & creatinin

Heparin Sodium Side effects

Mild pain/redness/irritation at inject site, nausea, loss of appetite, increase risk of bleeding (heparin induced thrombocytopenia), irregular heartbeats; toxicity

Heparin Sodium Nursing interventions

frequent tests to measure blood-clotting time; signs of bleeding and hemorrhage (I.V. must check PTT 20 - 30 sec); for thrombosis; monitor platelet count; monitor potassium levels; do not aspirate and do not rub injection site; rotate sites

Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic) Side Effects

Upset stomach, dizziness, or headache, decrease in vision, hypersensitivity reactions, hypotension, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, paresthesias (tingling); allergic reactions to sulfur

Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic) Nursing interventions

Assess fluid status, for dry mouth, location of edema, monitor BP, skin turgor, assess feet, legs and sacral area for edema daily, assess for rash and monitor electrolytes (potassium) & blood glucose

Ibuprofen Side effects

Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness

Ibuprofen Nursing interventions

Assess fever before & after; pain, pain type, location, intensity before & after, assess ROM & pain; assess for rash; monitor BP & kidney; Do NOT administer if dehydrated

Insulin Side effects

severe hypoglycemia; anaphylaxis; unexplained weight loss

Insulin Nursing interventions

has to be in insulin syringe; 2 RNs coincide for administration; always check finger stick; rotate sites/never massage injection site; Multi dose vial —> Draw Clear (Regular) before Cloudy (NPH)

Levetiracetam Side Effects

Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, feeling aggressive or irritable, unusual changes in mood, confusion, hallucinations, loss of balance or coordination (vertigo), headaches

Levetiracetam Nursing interventions

Assess location, duration, and characteristics of seizure activity, for CNS adverse effects, monitor RBC and WBC counts; patient has to be on this med forever (abruptly stopping can cause severe seizure); not safe with renal disease; beware the patient that the med is metabolized by kidneys; monitor liver functions

Metformin (Glucopahge) Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, metallic taste in mouth, lactic acidosis, unusual muscle p

Metformin (Glucopahge) Nursing interventions

Monitor blood glucose levels (WNL: 70-110mg/dL); assess for lactic acidosis; assess renal function -> given with meals; bloodwork

Metoprolol Side Effects

slow heartbeat (bradycardia), bronchospasm (COPD, asthma - do not give!), heart failure, hypoglycemia (diabetes)

Metoprolol Nursing interventions

Monitor BP, ECG, pulse before & after, monitor blood glucose, orthostatic hypotension

Omeprazole Side Effects

Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizure, low magnesium blood level: unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, signs of lupus (rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint pain)

Omeprazole Nursing interventions

Assess for abdominal pain; monitor bowel function: diarrhea, abdominal, fever and bloody stools; monitor CBC, INR, prothrombin in patients taking warfarin, serum magnesium; don’t give with other meds

Oxycodone/Acetaminophen Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, sleep apnea, stomach/ abdominal pain, loss of appetite, difficult urinations

Oxycodone/Acetaminophen Nursing interventions

Assess type, location, and intensity of pain; assess BP, pulse, respirations, bowel functions, fever

Potassium Chloride Side Effects

Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, gas, or diarrhea, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools

Potassium Chloride Nursing interventions

Assess for signs and symptoms of hypokalemia (weakness, fatigue) and hyperkalemia (slow, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, muscle weakness); monitor kidney function before & during; monitor potassium levels -> if above 5, kayexalate, don’t give -potassium in WNL; always on pump; never though IV PUSH

Rosuvastatin Side Effects

high blood sugar, blood in urine or dark colored urine, muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, headache, stomach pain, upset stomach, joint pain, weakness

Rosuvastatin Nursing interventions

Obtain diet history, especially with regard to fat consumption; monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels before & after; monitor liver function tests; assess for muscle tenderness & jaundice; don’t give w/ grapefruit juice

Warfarin Sodium (Coumadin) Side Effects

Nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, increase risk of bleeding, weakness or dizziness; extreme easy bleeding - toxicity

Warfarin Sodium (Coumadin) Nursing interventions

assess for signs of bleeding and hemorrhage; for thrombosis; hepatic function (don’t give gif INR >3.0); monitor INR frequently; monitor stool & urine for blood; using soft tooth brush, electric razor, no flossing; monitor potassium levels; do not take with NSAIDs; limit Vitamin K & leafy veg. Diet

Anticoagulant

prevents blood clots from forming which prevents venous thrombosis