Pharmacology and Drug Therapy Lecture Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key cardiovascular, hematologic, diuretic, endocrine, respiratory, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and antibiotic medications along with their indications, pre-assessments, and critical evaluation parameters.

Lisinopril (Zestril)

• Class: ACE inhibitor
• Indication: Hypertension
• Pre-assessment:
  • Check BP (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$)
  • Check serum potassium ($3.6\text{--}5.6\,mmol/L$, withhold if K $\ge 5.0\,mmol/L$)
  • Review renal function
• Evaluation: Check for dry cough and angioedema

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

• Class: Cardiac glycoside
• Indication: Heart failure and AF/flutter
• Pre-assessment:
  • Check apical HR (withhold if HR $< 60\,bpm$)
  • Check serum potassium ($3.6\text{--}5.6\,mmol/L$)
  • Review renal function
• Evaluation: Monitor HR control, N/V, and confusion

Atenolol (Tenormin)

• Class: Beta-blocker
• Indication: Hypertension, angina pectoris, acute MI, and HF
• Pre-assessment:
  • Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$, DBP $< 60\,mmHg$, or HR $< 60\,bpm$)
  • Check history of asthma/COPD

Simvastatin (Zocor)

• Class: Lipid-lowering medication (statin)
• Indication: Hypercholesterolemia
• Administration: Administer before bedtime
• Evaluation: Monitor liver function, muscle pain, weakness, and dark urine

Warfarin (Coumadin)

• Class: Oral anticoagulant
• Indication: Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), pulmonary embolism (PE), and AFib-related stroke
• Pre-assessment: Review INR target per therapeutic needs

Frusemide / Furosemide (Lasix)

• Class: Loop diuretic
• Indication: Pulmonary edema, HF, and hypertension
• Administration: Administer during daytime to prevent nocturia

Mannitol (Osmitrol)

• Class: Osmotic diuretic
• Indication: Cerebral edema, reduction of ICP/IOP, and acute renal failure
• Evaluation: Evaluated by increased urine output and decreased ICP/IOP

Gliclazide (Diamicron)

• Class: Sulfonylurea
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
• Pre-assessment:
  • Check blood glucose (usual target $4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$ before meals)
  • Withhold if BG $< 4\,mmol/L$

Semaglutide (Ozempic)

• Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Indication: T2DM with obesity
• Administration: Subcutaneous (SUBCUT) only
• Pre-assessment: Check BG (target $4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$ before meals)
• Evaluation: Monitor for signs of pancreatitis

Beclomethasone (Becloforte)

• Class: Inhaled steroid (puff)
• Indication: Maintenance and prophylaxis of asthma
• Patient Education: Rinse and spit with water after inhalation
• Adverse Effects Prevented: Hoarseness, oral candidiasis, and sore throat

Loratadine (Clarityne / Claritin)

• Class: Antihistamine
• Indication: Seasonal rhinitis
• Precaution: Avoid taking with grapefruit juice

Naloxone (Narcan)

• Class: Opioid antagonist
• Indication: Antidote for opioid exposure
• Pre-assessment: Check RR, SpO2, and sedation
• Evaluation: Improvement in RR and LOC after opioid reversal

Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

• Class: Antipsychotic
• Indication: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and acute agitation
• Monitoring / Risks:
  • High risk of weight gain, diabetes, and dyslipidemia
  • Requires monitoring of body weight, BG, and lipids

Famotidine (Pepcidine)

• Class: H2-receptor antagonist
• Indication: Prevention and treatment of gastric/duodenal ulcers, heartburn, acid indigestion, and GERD
• Pre-assessment: Assess renal function and concurrent antacid use

Colchicine

• Class: Anti-gout medication
• Indication: Gout prophylaxis and acute gout flares/attacks
• Dosing Precaution: Restricted to maximum use of 3 days
• Withhold Criteria: Withhold if diarrhea occurs

Allopurinol (Zyloprim)

• Class: Anti-gout drug
• Indication: Chronic gout prevention and hyperuricemia
• Administration: Take after meals to reduce GI upset
• Evaluation: Monitor for rash (associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Rifampin (Rifampicin)

• Class: Rifamycin antibiotic
• Indication: Tuberculosis (TB) and meningococcal carrier state
• Evaluation: Monitor LFTs
• Patient Education: Warn about orange-red discoloration of bodily fluids

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

• Class: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
• Indication: UTI, URI, GI, and soft-tissue bacterial infections
• Pre-assessment Note: Avoid taking with dairy products, antacids, iron, or calcium supplements within 2 hours to prevent reduced absorption

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

• Class: Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)
• Indication: Chronic stable angina, Hypertension
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$)
• Evaluation: Monitor for dizziness, postural hypotension, BP reduction, and ankle edema

Diltiazem (Herbesser)

• Class: Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)
• Indication: Angina pectoris, Hypertension, AFib/flutter
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$)
• Evaluation: Monitor for dizziness, postural hypotension, ankle edema, and BP/HR reduction

Doxazosin (Cardura)

• Class: $\alpha_1$-blocker
• Indication: Hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms
• Pre-assessment: Check BP
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, increased urinary flow, dizziness, and postural hypotension

Methyldopa (Aldomet)

• Class: Central $\alpha$-agonist
• Indication: Hypertension
• Pre-assessment: Check BP
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, dizziness, and postural hypotension

Hydralazine (Apresoline)

• Class: Vasodilator
• Indication: Essential Hypertension, hypertensive emergency/urgency
• Pre-assessment: Check BP
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction and postural hypotension

Candesartan (Blopress)

• Class: Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)
• Indication: Hypertension, diabetic nephropathy
• Pre-assessment: Check BP, renal function, and serum potassium ($3.6\text{--}5.6\,mmol/L$)
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, hyperkalemia, and dizziness

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl trinitrate (Nitrostat / Nitro-Dur)

• Class: Nitrate
• Indication: Treatment and prevention of angina pectoris
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$)
• Evaluation: Monitor for chest pain reduction, headache, flushing, and dizziness

Amiodarone (Cordarone)

• Class: Antidysrhythmic
• Indication: Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$); check potassium ($3.6\text{--}5.6\,mmol/L$)
• Evaluation: Monitor rhythm/HR control, dizziness, and N/V

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

• Class: Lipid-lowering medication (statin)
• Indication: Hypercholesterolemia
• Pre-assessment: Ask about muscle pain/weakness before dose; check LFTs
• Evaluation: Monitor lipid levels, liver function, muscle pain/weakness, and dark urine

DOACs (Apixaban, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban)

• Class: Direct Oral Anticoagulants
• Indication: Atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Pre-assessment: Check for active bleeding or bruising before administration
• Evaluation: Monitor for clot prevention, bruising, gum, or nose bleeding

Heparin

• Class: Rapid anticoagulant
• Indication: Rapid prevention/treatment of DVT, PE, AFib emboli, and DIC
• Pre-assessment: Review APTT per therapeutic needs; review platelet count
• Evaluation: Monitor for bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

• Class: Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
• Indication: Prophylaxis and treatment of DVT/PE, angina/MI
• Pre-assessment: Check for active bleeding or bruising before dose
• Evaluation: Monitor for bleeding and bruising

Aspirin

• Class: Antiplatelet agent
• Indication: Reduce risk of stroke, MI, and vascular death
• Pre-assessment: Check active bleeding/bruising; review platelet count
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduced thrombotic risk, bruising, gum/nose bleeding

Hydrochlorothiazide

• Class: Thiazide diuretic
• Indication: Edema, Hypertension, heart failure
• Pre-assessment: Check BP (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$); check serum potassium ($3.6\text{--}5.6\,mmol/L$); review renal function
• Evaluation: Monitor urine output, BP reduction, dehydration, low potassium, and fall risk

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

• Class: Potassium-sparing diuretic
• Indication: Edema in HF, Hypertension, hypokalemia
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and serum potassium
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, maintained potassium level, dizziness, and dehydration

Empagliflozin (Jardiance)

• Class: SGLT2 inhibitor
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Pre-assessment: Check BG (target $4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$ before meals); review renal function
• Evaluation: Monitor BG reduction, UTI/genital infection signs, and dizziness

Metformin (Glucophage)

• Class: Biguanide
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Pre-assessment: Check BG (target $4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$ with meals); review renal function
• Evaluation: Monitor BG reduction and GI upset

Dexamethasone (Decadron)

• Class: Systemic corticosteroid
• Indication: Asthma, COPD, inflammation, immunosuppression
• Pre-assessment: Check BG ($4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$), temperature, WBC count, and check for black stool/active GI bleed
• Evaluation: Monitor reduction in inflammation/SOB, signs of GI bleeding, severe infection, or sepsis

Salbutamol (Ventolin)

• Class: Short-acting $\beta_2$-agonist (SABA)
• Indication: Acute bronchospasm relief in asthma and COPD
• Pre-assessment: Check RR, SpO2, and presence of wheezing
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduction in wheeze/SOB; alert for tremor and palpitations

Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)

• Class: Anticholinergic bronchodilator
• Indication: COPD and asthma maintenance bronchodilation
• Precaution: Caution with history of glaucoma or urinary retention
• Evaluation: Monitor for dry mouth and urinary retention

Ammonia and Ipecacuanha Mixture (MES)

• Class: Expectorant / Mucolytic
• Indication: Chest congestion, productive cough
• Pre-assessment: Check sputum amount/color and cough ability
• Evaluation: Sputum becomes easier to expectorate; monitor for N/V or bronchospasm

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

• Class: Second-generation antihistamine
• Indication: Seasonal allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria
• Pre-assessment: Check allergy symptoms and sedation level
• Evaluation: Monitor itch/rhinitis reduction, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and fall risk

Morphine Sulphate

• Class: Opioid analgesic
• Indication: Moderate to severe pain
• Pre-assessment: Check pain score, RR, SpO2, sedation score, and bowel pattern
• Evaluation: Monitor pain score reduction, drowsiness, N/V, and constipation

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

• Class: Antiepileptic / Neuropathic pain agent
• Indication: Neuropathic pain, seizures, epilepsy
• Pre-assessment: Confirm indication; check current seizure activity or pain score
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduced seizure/pain activity, dizziness, drowsiness, ataxia, and rash

Diazepam (Valium)

• Class: Benzodiazepine
• Indication: Anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, seizure disorders, status epilepticus, skeletal muscle relaxation
• Pre-assessment: Check anxiety/spasm/seizure status, RR, SpO2, and sedation level
• Evaluation: Monitor reduction in symptoms, drowsiness, dizziness, and fall risk

Levodopa / Carbidopa (Sinemet)

• Class: Antiparkinson agent
• Indication: Parkinson's disease
• Pre-assessment: Check mobility, rigidity, tremor, and swallowing safety
• Evaluation: Monitor for increased mobility, reduced tremor/rigidity, dizziness, confusion, and dyskinesia

Loperamide (Imodium / Diamode)

• Class: Antidiarrheal
• Indication: Diarrhea
• Pre-assessment: Check stool frequency/character and abdominal distension
• Evaluation: Monitor for decreased stool frequency and abdominal distension

Ondansetron (Zofran)

• Class: Antiemetic (5-HT3 receptor antagonist)
• Indication: Prevention of N/V associated with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
• Pre-assessment: Check N/V frequency, hydration status, and bowel pattern
• Evaluation: Monitor N/V reduction, oral intake improvement, constipation, headache, and dizziness

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

• Class: NSAID (Selective COX-2 inhibitor)
• Indication: RA, OA, acute pain, primary dysmenorrhea
• Pre-assessment: Check pain score, GI bleeding risk, allergy/asthma history, and renal function
• Administration: Administer with meals and PPI cover
• Evaluation: Monitor pain reduction, GI bleeding, wheezing, and renal function trends

Cefazolin

• Class: 1st generation cephalosporin
• Indication: Surgical prophylaxis, skin/bone infection, septicemia
• Pre-assessment: Check allergy history; monitor renal function
• Safety Alert: Withhold infusion and report if rash, wheezing, or anaphylaxis symptoms develop

Prazosin (Minipress) / Terazosin (Hytrin)

• Class: $\alpha_1$-blocker
• Indication: Hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, increased urinary flow, dizziness, and postural hypotension

Metoprolol / Propranolol / Carvedilol / Labetalol

• Class: Beta-blocker
• Indication: Hypertension, angina pectoris, acute MI, HF
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$, DBP $< 60\,mmHg$, or HR $< 60\,bpm$); check history of asthma/COPD
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP/HR reduction, dizziness, fatigue, and wheezing/bronchospasm

Isosorbide Dinitrate (Isordil) / Isosorbide Mononitrate SR (Imdur)

• Class: Nitrate
• Indication: Treatment and prevention of stable angina
• Pre-assessment: Check BP and HR (withhold if SBP $< 100\,mmHg$ or DBP $< 60\,mmHg$)
• Evaluation: Monitor for chest pain reduction, BP reduction, headache, flushing, and dizziness

Lidocaine (Xylocaine)

• Class: Antidysrhythmic
• Indication: Ventricular dysrhythmias

Ezetimibe / Fenofibrate / Gemfibrozil (Lopid) / Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

• Class: Lipid-lowering medication
• Indication: Hypercholesterolemia
• Pre-assessment: Ask about muscle pain/weakness before dose; check LFTs
• Evaluation: Monitor lipid levels, liver function, muscle pain/weakness, and dark urine

Clopidogrel (Plavix) / Ticagrelor

• Class: Antiplatelet agent
• Indication: Reduce risk of stroke, MI, and vascular death
• Pre-assessment: Check active bleeding/bruising before dose; check platelet count
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduced thrombotic risk, bruising, and gum/nose bleeding

Dyazide / Moduretic

• Class: Potassium-sparing diuretic combined with thiazide
• Indication: Edema, Hypertension, prevention of hypokalemia
• Evaluation: Monitor for BP reduction, urine output increase, and electrolyte balance

Glimepiride (Amaryl) / Glipizide (Glucotrol)

• Class: Sulfonylurea
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
• Pre-assessment: Check blood glucose (usual target $4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$ before meals); withhold if BG $< 4\,mmol/L$
• Evaluation: Monitor BG reduction, dizziness, and diarrhea

Pioglitazone (Actos) / Rosiglitazone (Avandia)

• Class: Thiazolidinedione (TZD)
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
• Evaluation: Monitor blood glucose reduction

Vildagliptin (Galvus)

• Class: DPP-4 inhibitor
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Acarbose (Glucobay)

• Class: $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitor
• Indication: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Hydrocortisone (Cortef) / Prednisolone

• Class: Systemic corticosteroid
• Indication: Asthma, COPD, inflammation, immunosuppression
• Pre-assessment: Check blood glucose target ($4\text{--}7\,mmol/L$), temperature, WBC count, and check for black stool/active GI bleed
• Evaluation: Monitor reduction in inflammation/SOB, signs of GI bleeding, severe infection, or sepsis

Budesonide (Pulmicort)

• Class: Inhaled steroid (puff)
• Indication: Prophylaxis for asthma and allergic rhinitis
• Patient Education: Rinse and spit with water after inhalation to prevent oral candidiasis and hoarseness

Budesonide + Formoterol (Vannair / Symbicort)

• Class: Inhaled corticosteroid / LABA combination
• Indication: Maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD

Theophylline (Neuline)

• Class: Methylxanthine bronchodilator
• Indication: Chronic asthma and COPD bronchodilation
• Pre-assessment: Check HR (withhold and report severe tachycardia/palpitations); review drug levels if ordered
• Evaluation: Monitor for wheeze reduction; watch for toxicity S/S (N/V, tremor, severe tachycardia, seizure)

Acetylcysteine (Flumicil) / Bromhexine (Bisolvon)

• Class: Mucolytic / Expectorant
• Indication: Chest congestion, productive cough, thick mucus
• Evaluation: Sputum becomes easier to expectorate

Hydroxyzine (Atarax) / Promethazine (Phensedyl)

• Class: Antihistamine
• Indication: Anxiety, preoperative sedation, prevention of N/V, motion sickness, pruritus, allergy symptoms, cough
• Evaluation: Monitor for symptom reduction, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and fall risk

Dihydrocodeine tartrate (DF118) / Oxycodone (OxyContin) / Pethidine

• Class: Opioid analgesic
• Indication: Moderate to severe pain
• Pre-assessment: Check pain score, RR, SpO2, sedation score, and bowel pattern
• Evaluation: Monitor pain score reduction, drowsiness, N/V, and constipation

Valproate Sodium (Epilim) / Levetiracetam (Keppra) / Phenytoin (Dilantin)

• Class: Antiepileptic
• Indication: Seizures, epilepsy
• Pre-assessment: Check current seizure activity
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduced seizure activity, drowsiness, and dizziness

Chlorpromazine (Largactil) / Haloperidol (Haldol) / Quetiapine (Seroquel) / Risperidone

• Class: Antipsychotic
• Indication: Schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, mania, acute agitation, bipolar disorder
• Pre-assessment: Check mental state, sedation level, and fall risk
• Evaluation: Monitor for reduction in agitation/psychotic symptoms, drowsiness, dizziness, EPS, and constipation

Clozapine (Clozaril)

• Class: Atypical antipsychotic
• Indication: Refractory schizophrenia, recurrent suicidal behavior
• Pre-assessment: Check mental state, WBC count, sedation level, and fall risk

Bromocriptine / Levodopa + Benserazide (Madopar) / Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)

• Class: Antiparkinson agent
• Indication: Parkinson's disease, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
• Pre-assessment: Check mobility, rigidity, tremor, and swallowing safety
• Evaluation: Monitor for increased mobility, reduced rigidity/tremor, dizziness, confusion, and dyskinesia

Magnesium hydroxide

• Class: Antacid / Osmotic laxative
• Indication: Constipation, antacid use
• Pre-assessment: Assess for bowel obstruction
• Evaluation: Monitor hydration status, bowel movements, electrolyte levels; relief of constipation and reduced gastric acidity

Lansoprazole (Prevacid) / Pantoprazole (Pantoloc)

• Class: Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
• Indication: Short-term treatment of duodenal/gastric ulcers, erosive gastritis, GERD, and H. pylori eradication
• Pre-assessment: Assess for GERD/ulcer symptoms and hepatic impairment
• Evaluation: Decreased acid secretion, relief of reflux symptoms, healing of GI lesions

Febuxostat

• Class: Anti-gout agent
• Indication: Hyperuricemia with chronic gout
• Evaluation: Monitor LFTs and serum uric acid levels

Diclofenac (Voltaren) / Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) / Ibuprofen (Brufen) / Indomethacin (Indocid) / Mefenamic acid (Ponstan)

• Class: NSAID / Non-selective COX inhibitor
• Indication: OA, RA, mild to moderate pain, dysmenorrhea, gouty arthritis
• Pre-assessment: Check pain score, GI bleeding risk, allergy/asthma history, and renal function
• Evaluation: Monitor pain reduction, GI bleeding, wheezing, and renal function trends

Methyl salicylate (Topical)

• Class: Topical NSAID / Analgesic
• Indication: Mild musculoskeletal pain

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)

• Class: 3rd generation cephalosporin
• Indication: Meningitis, severe respiratory, GU, skin, intraabdominal infections, gonorrhea
• Safety Alert: Withhold infusion and report if rash, wheezing, or anaphylaxis symptoms develop

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) / Augmentin / Ampicillin

• Class: Penicillin / $\beta$-lactam antibiotic
• Indication: Skin, respiratory, GI/GU infections, otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, H. pylori
• Safety Alert: Withhold infusion and report if rash, wheezing, or anaphylaxis symptoms develop

Rifaximin

• Class: Rifamycin antibiotic
• Indication: Traveler's diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D)
• Safety Alert: Withhold infusion and report if rash, wheezing, or anaphylaxis symptoms develop