Medication Counseling Points Practice Flashcards

Flashcards summarizing key medication counseling points, drug mechanisms, brand/generic names, side effects, and mitigation strategies based on the lecture notes.

What is the brand name, drug class, and indications for Alprazolam?

Brand name: Xanax, Xanax XR. Drug Class: Benzodiazepine (GABA modulator). Indications: Anxiety and Panic Disorder.

What serious adverse effect can occur when Alprazolam is combined with opioids or other narcotic medications?

Concomitant administration can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening overdose and respiratory depression.

What is the drug class, brand name, and primary indications for Amlodipine?

Brand name: Norvasc. Drug Class: Calcium channel blocker. Indications: High blood pressure and angina (chest pain).

What mitigation strategies are recommended for flushing reactions caused by Amlodipine?

Cut down on coffee, tea, and alcohol; keep the room cool and use a fan; spray face with cool water or apply a cold compress; and sip cold or iced drinks.

What allergy concerns are associated with Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?

It should not be used if the patient has had a prior allergic reaction to amoxicillin, any type of penicillin, or a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Why should patients be advised to contact their doctor if severe or bloody diarrhea occurs up to $3$ months after completing Amoxicillin?

Severe or bloody diarrhea with stomach cramps and fever may indicate a C. difficile superinfection.

What is the brand name and drug mechanism of Apixaban?

Brand name: Eliquis. Mechanism of Action: Anticoagulant; Factor Xa inhibitor.

What signs of severe or serious bleeding should be reported immediately to the ER for a patient taking Apixaban?

Nosebleeds lasting longer than $10$ minutes, red or brown urine, bloody or black tarry stools, vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, and symptoms of brain bleeding (sudden severe headache, seizures, numbness, vision loss).

What dietary restriction applies to patients taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor)?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, as it may increase atorvastatin levels and drug exposure.

What is the characteristic symptom triad of severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis associated with Atorvastatin?

Muscle pain, muscle weakness, and dark, tea-colored urine.

What serious skin reactions are associated with Azithromycin (Zithromax)?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

What food and administration restrictions apply to Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)?

Do not take with only a source of calcium (like milk or yogurt). Take at least $2$ hours before or $6$ hours after antacids, multivitamins, or products containing aluminum, magnesium, lanthanum, sevelamer, iron, or zinc.

What serious musculoskeletal warning is associated with Ciprofloxacin?

Tendinitis and tendon rupture causing pain, stiffness, swelling, or bruises around the ankle, leg, shoulder, or other joints (which may occur even after treatment ends).

What is the drug class and brand name of Clopidogrel?

Brand name: Plavix. Drug Class: Antiplatelet drug.

What life-threatening drug interaction risk exists when Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is taken with antidepressants or opioids?

Combining Cyclobenzaprine with serotonergic medications (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tramadol) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.

What is the drug class and serious metabolic adverse event associated with Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)?

Drug Class: Antidiabetic drug/SGLT-2 inhibitor. Serious Adverse Event: Euglycemic ketoacidosis (high ketones and blood acid with blood glucose typically $< 250\,mg/dL$).

What is the 'Rule of 15' recommended for managing hypoglycemia in patients taking Dapagliflozin with other diabetes medications?

Eat $15\,g$ of fast-acting carbohydrates, wait $15\,min$, check blood sugar again, and repeat as needed.

What class of drug is Furosemide (Lasix), and what administration timing helps prevent nighttime voiding?

Class: Loop diuretic. Timing: Take the medication before $3\,PM$ to avoid waking up to urinate at night.

What is the mechanism of action of Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)?

Thiazide diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) of the kidney.

How should Levothyroxine (Synthroid) be administered relative to food?

Take in the morning on an empty stomach, at least $30\text{ to }60\,min$ before eating breakfast.

What causes the common dry cough side effect in patients taking Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)?

Excessive accumulation of bradykinin resulting from ACE inhibition.

What major surgery contraindication/warning applies to Meloxicam (Mobic)?

Do not use right before or after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) heart surgery.

What is the mechanism of action of Metformin Hydrochloride (Glucophage)?

Biguanide antidiabetic drug that decreases hepatic glucose production, reduces intestinal glucose absorption, and increases insulin sensitivity.

How should Metoprolol Succinate (Toprol-XL) be taken in relation to food?

Take with a meal or right after a meal, maintaining the same administration schedule every day.

What long-term health risks are associated with chronic Omeprazole (Prilosec) use?

Bone fractures, cardiovascular disease, infections (such as pneumonia and C. difficile), dementia, and kidney disease.

What administration timing strategy helps reduce the risk of insomnia associated with Prednisone (Deltasone)?

Take the medication in the morning, or ensure the last dose of the day is taken before $3\,PM$.

What is the drug mechanism and indication spectrum for Pregabalin (Lyrica)?

Mechanism: Believed to bind to the $\alpha_2\delta$ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels. Indications: Treats nerve and muscle pain (including fibromyalgia) and partial-onset seizures.

What is the brand name and drug class combination for Sacubitril and valsartan?

Brand name: Entresto. Drug Class: Neprilysin inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

What drug class does Sertraline belong to, and how long may it take for clinical benefits to occur?

Brand Name: Zoloft. Drug Class: SSRI Antidepressant. Duration: May take up to $4\text{ to }8\,weeks$ to relieve anxiety and depression.

What disposal instructions are provided for unused Tramadol (Ultram)?

Drop off unused narcotic medication at a drug take-back location right away or flush it down the toilet.